Thread: Danger to campsites

Hi

This is an ongoing social problem that has no easy solutions. The issue occurs for bushwalking trails, canyons, caves, bird watching spots and indeed any place where there would be an issue if "what if everybody did like I'm doing now". Popularisation of these sites is part of the problem but we can't apportion all the blame to the magazines and web sites.

Originally Posted by ATH

Cook and I are going through some of our normal campsites during this trip and we’re very disappointed at the huge increase of those using sites like Carawine Gorge WA. About a dozen big vans in there and many camper trailers recently. It’s normally busy on school holidays when we never go away but this was very unusual for this time of year.
People are blaming sites like WikiCamps and off road programs from “Mr4x4” etc. for their popularity.
Plus there are now bigger road signs showing the way in.
We saw some of the station people drive through and no doubt they saw the destruction of trees
by the chain saw lot who are not satisfied with using the large amount of trees knocked down by the high winds.
How long before places like this get closed off to the public as it’s still part of a working cattle station?
Very dry and dusty there at the mo made worse by the increased traffic many of whom have no thought for the campers they cover with dust.
ATH.
PS. 4 happy campers had to be towed out of the shale they got bogged in on one day. 😃

Most private spots that used to only spread by word of mouth are now being broadcast over the net, so the hoardes arrive. Not many little secrets left nowadays...and then you get ******* who go and do this sort of thing....

Originally Posted by Gordie

Most private spots that used to only spread by word of mouth are now being broadcast over the net, so the hoardes arrive. Not many little secrets left nowadays...and then you get ******* who go and do this sort of thing....

SA closes roads due to wet weather to save them, with behavior like this it wont be long before parks authorities close off winter access to camp grounds etc, 4wd owners like to play in the mud, you see posts all the time on various social media, but how much damage do they cause to fire trails, dirt roads etc, costs the tax payer lots of $ to maintain and repair roads/ tracks etc. I can see them being closed to in the future with this sort of behavior. places like Toolangi the Gembrook trails. I have a young guy in our street with a land bruiser ,every week end it is covered in mud from the roof to the ground, I can just imagine what he's been up to in the area. When things get shutdown they will be the first to complain.

Obviously too many people out there with too much time on their hands so they get into mischief.......
I personally hate mud and hate uncaring other drivers who kick up dust at campsites. Carawine is being turned into a dust bowl but not entirely due to traffic as there’s obviously been little rain to promote growth of grass/spinifex and the Oakover was really low.
Maybe the station owners will close it off citing danger to the public from bulls etc.
And let just nice people like us in.😜
AlanH.

There was a spot on Morwell River Road, up where it turns to gravel for those that know. Nice spot and really easy to get too for those without 4x4s and or caravans. Not where i like to go but its popular and i have camped there before.

One weekend a few years ago someone destroyed the whole area. Trenches from 4x4s, perfectly good trees cut down and ripped down concrete cooking areas! Just destroyed it totally. Rubbish everywhere and even left the fires going unattended.

One weekend was all it took. Never been the same after that.

Now i get it, boys will be boys and all that, but surely at some point these people must have realized what there doing can and likely will jeopardize it for all future campers?

As already stated we will likely be the last to enjoy these sort of areas free. The actions of a few spoil it for many.

There is certainly an increasing trend of this behaviour. I've seen in the Vic Alps - closed roads (this year the Davies Plain track is a good example) are opened by vandals and then people despite the very clear signs still wander on in. All about their own rights but no responsibility.

Same too in the outback - people towing trailers across the Simpson or down the Canning. People aren't thinking beyond their own recreation... all rights and no responsibility again. Trailers in the high country are also a problem.

Down in Yalwal NSW, the local 4wd group (an informal facebook group) is working hard with the local council to keep the area open. The campsites there often get trashed by the social trash from near and far.

I work in the Fashion industry and back when i first started in about 1982 or so there was NO way i would mention that i was going camping on the weekend. Way too daggy and uncool!!
Now everyone i work with is envious of my Defender and wants to know my favorite spots.

Times have changed. Camping is now cool and insta is full of hipster camping pictures.
Even my assistant has a kero lantern and enamel mug with matching "Stanley" flask.

Lake Nallan above Cue has been all but closed except for a small bit near the road. It used to be nice top pull up and be able to see the lake and bird life.
Not sure it was campers who caused the closure as we saw about 3 loads of builders rubble dumped there some years ago.
But apparently it’s now an important place for migrating birds so out we go.......
AlanH