Worrying trend prompts 'review' into free camping at Aussie 4WD hotspot: 'Idiots everywhere'
Bad behaviour at a popular Aussie boating and camping spot has prompted local authorities to review its "visitor management strategies" — potentially leading to changes in free camping access as officials consider public safety and protecting the natural environment.
Across the country, several councils have recently considered or introduced camping restrictions in response to escalating issues like littering and reckless behaviour. Many have cited excessive mess —often left for locals to clean up — and hazardous activities as key concerns driving these crackdowns.
Now, at Logue Brook Dam in Western Australia's southwest, the state's Parks and Wildlife Service is reassessing how to better manage crowds after a surge in rule-breaking over the Australia Day long weekend recently.
Each day over the period, around 3,000 visitors flocked to the site for free camping, swimming, and boating, but authorities were forced to issue 23 infringements, cautions, and move-on notices for driving offences and antisocial behaviour.
Four incidents were serious enough to be reported to WA Police, while rangers also responded to a small fire caused by a flare, raising further concerns about safety at the increasingly popular destination.
While the Parks and Wildlife service said there are no immediate plans to change any rules currently in place at the spot, it acknowledged the growing dangers.
"The Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to deploy rangers and work closely with WA Police to ensure compliance with regulations," a spokesperson told Perth Now.
"Visitor management strategies will be reviewed as needed to maintain public safety and protect the natural environment.'
They encouraged visitors to the dam to respect safety signs and other guests. It urged people to follow rangers' instructions and follow all boating and camping regulations.
In a local Facebook group for Logue Brook Dame, plenty of locals complained about the behaviour they witnessed on Australia Day.
"Can't believe how many idiots were on the water yesterday. I understand we're all there to have fun but my daughter almost got killed from a bunch of Jetskis not looking where they were going," one man wrote on January 27.
"Plenty of boats doing the wrong thing ... too many on board, no life jackets, going the wrong way around the dam and cutting between vessels that were towing ... plenty of cars doing to the wrong thing, speeding around ...there were just idiots everywhere," another said.
A spokesperson for the Shire of Harvey was aware of the reports but said the site is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
"While we can't speak to specific rule changes, the shire strongly supports responsible recreation and community safety at all public sites," a spokesperson said. "Preventing future issues requires a combination of education, enforcing existing regulations, and cooperation between managing authorities and the community."
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The surge in four-wheel-drive camping, jet ski use, and other high-impact recreational activities has been putting increasing pressure on Australia's most popular coastal and inland destinations in recent times.
As more people embrace adventure tourism, councils are struggling to balance public access with environmental protection and community safety.
Many beaches and remote camping spots that were once quiet getaways are now facing overcrowding, habitat destruction, and rising complaints from locals.
In particular, the growth of off-road vehicles and personal watercraft has led to concerns over noise pollution, dune erosion, and reckless behaviour in high-traffic areas.
Elsewhere, as of February 3, overnight camping is no longer permitted on Wauraltee Beach, including the area known as Second Beach, on the York Peninsula in South Australia. In December, a prominent caravanning couple in the online community hit back after being "blamed" for the closure.
Yahoo earlier reported that the Clarence Valley Council was pushing ahead with controversial plans to scrap 34 campsites on or near the water's edge at Brooms Head, 130km south of Byron Bay. It argued campers, who return year after year in a holiday tradition, have overcrowded the foreshore with large 4WDs, RVs and caravans.
On K'gari, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour recently said it's just a matter of time until a child gets seriously injured or worse, as a result of dingo encounters. He said children under 12 should be banned from camping in unfenced areas for their own safety, after a four-year-old girl was mauled.
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