18-04-2025
Aussies warned as chaotic Easter scenes hit popular 4WD and camping spot
A long weekend in Australia's Sunshine State is hardly complete without a trip to one of the world-famous 4WD beaches.
But as more and more people flock to the area, chaotic scenes have emerged showing dozens of 4WDs lining up as early as 2 am on Good Friday to make their way onto Queensland's K'gari island (formerly Fraser) for the Easter weekend. It comes as Aussies have been reminded not to disobey road rules while they enjoy camping, fishing and exploring at any of the state's iconic beaches.
Queensland Police warned officers will "saturate" the roads and beaches to keep a close eye on campers and 4WD enthusiasts. Additional support has been deployed to popular 4WD spots, including K'gari, Teewah and Rainbow Beach for the holidays to remind drivers that road rules apply on the sand.
Officers will be focusing on seatbelt, speeding, drink and drug driving offences, as well as keeping an eye out for modified and defective vehicles.
"Not only will we see an increased volume of vehicles on our roads, we will also have plenty of people visiting or driving through the area that are not familiar with our roads," Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler said earlier this month.
"I urge you to think of the consequences of dangerous driving — you may lose your licence, you may be issued a hefty fine or charged and have to attend court, or you may lose your life or end someone else's.
"I urge you to not drink or have any drugs in your system before driving, take frequent rest breaks, wear a seatbelt, get off your phone or any other distracting devices, and drive to the speed limit and the conditions. They sound simple but these measures will save your life, and ensure you don't hurt someone else's."
While some saw the images from K'gari and were keen to find out more information ahead of their own voyage over to the island, others said they "couldn't think of a worse time" to visit than over Easter or Christmas.
Other Aussies were envious of the adventure, adding that the weather was "supposed to be mint". Meteorologists told Yahoo the forecast in Queensland is expected to remain dry and warm to start the long weekend
Despite being a popular tourist activity in the area, calls were made last month to restrict beach access to 4WD users. University of the Sunshine Coast researcher Thomas Schlacher warned that 4WD activity on Queensland's beaches is causing "unequivocal" damage to coastal dune ecosystems.
Schlacher said Queensland's southeast is among the worst affected areas when it comes to 4WD damage, with numerous species effectively being "pumelled" and "crushed to death".
He said in Victoria, cars are already banned from beaches, and in NSW, authorities are currently having a "strong debate". In South Australia, some spots are facing limited access by 4WD users, and it's something Queensland should consider, Schlacher argued.
"The four-by-fours running over [marine species are] basically crush them to death. It only takes one vehicle to cause very, very severe impacts," he told the ABC.
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Late last year, 22 shore birds and a dingo were found dead as a result of "reckless driving behaviour".
Schlacher warned urgent action is desperately needed, as delaying further will only exacerbate the damage. "Southeast Queensland has probably the world's single strongest evidence base for serious harm caused by four-by-fours," he said. "So we are basically in the driver's seat, here to make sensible decisions."
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