nsw national parks

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Originally Posted by AndyG

Bushie,
I see you have done a major trip every two years, may I ask how, on your lonesome, mates or a club event?

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Group of mates, some have known each other for 30+ years, as a group we have been meeting & travelling for around 10/12 years.

Martyn

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Jon

All is not lost, there is some movement on the previous intransigence on NP&WS by allowing some limited access to 4WD clubs associated with the 4WD Association. The club books with the local ranger and the key is made available. Numbers are limited and it seems to be only some NP&WS offices mainly in the Central West.

It seems that these offices recognise they are unable to manage the entirety of their responsibility. By allowing access to small numbers of identified groups the competing interests can be managed and the roads/tracks kept open for times when they are needed for other purposes, particularly fire fighting.

It doesn't yet mean that the areas will be opened to everyone ad hoc or that all areas will be opened for even limited access.

It does give us hope and another reason to join a responsible 4WD club.

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I know many people have put a lot of work into this over many years and I applaud their efforts. Problem is I don't want to join a club.

I have tried several clubs over many years and I just don't enjoy that type of trip. Dare I say it, some of the worst trips I have been on have been with LROC - after experiencing the antics of one particular trip leader, my wife refused point blank to ever go another LROC trip.

I prefer travelling independently, either as a single vehicle or with a small group of friends. I believe we can be more environmentally sensitive travelling alone than on a club trip. Lets face it, I have seen some fairly dubious practices on club trips.

I realise that not all club trips are bad, as not all independent travellers are responsible - far from it. I am happy to see a permit system for sensitive areas, but why should it be limited to "responsible" 4wd clubs?

Cheers,
Jon

I would not be adverse to awareness training as to the right and wrong thing to do, if it gave me better access.

For example at Birdsville I was not comfortable with the talk about random dune bashing, and at Lake Eyre I was horrified at the random tyre marks on the Lakes Surface. No one has told me either is wrong, but.... And let's not start on toilet paper banners.

Half the problem is that even when NPWS are made aware of a group or individual doing the wrong thing are loathe to take any action then and there.

As an example, when we did the Cape York trip we made a booking well in advance to get access to Mungkan Kandju (Kaanju) National Park. This involved us leaving names rego numbers dates and exact location we wanted to camp.

We arrived to see our names on the board showing we were going into the Archer River campsite. A drive of some 100 klms saw us arrive at the site to find 4 groups camped in there none of which had booked and one of which who stated that he would get out his chainsaw and cut a section for us to camp in.

After words were exchanged and them admitting that they did not bother to book we manged to squeeze in. Some of the mess and rubbish they had and the fires they had lit in a no fire campsite was unreal.

The next day the Rangers turned up and said "Oh well these things happen". None were fined or told to move on. Why have a booking system and assign campsites?

This is the point of my last post. Why not hammer the ones doing the wrong thing and promote and assist those that want to do the right thing instead of locking things up so no-one can use them.