10-02-2025
Aussies warned as hiker calls out 'putrid' act in national park: 'So sad to see'
A 'putrid' issue is continuing to contaminate pristine Aussie walking tracks and camping sites with an unwanted stench — and it's apparently not slowing its roll any time soon.
For the past year, numerous states have been clamping down on travellers after authorities revealed an increase in the number of people defecting in bushland, posing 'an unacceptable risk to the health and safety' of others and the natural environment. The so-called poo problem has gotten so out of control, Queensland National Parks started handing out $464 fines to tourists for inadequate "bush toileting".
Meanwhile, rangers in Tasmania previously told Yahoo News Australia they had noticed an 'unprecedented' amount of human faeces left near rivers, lakes, streams, camping areas and even next to toilets. However, their calls for bushwalkers to 'learn how to toilet' outdoors appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
Over the weekend a woman hiking at the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, in Tasmania's central highlands, said she was shocked by the 'very inconsiderate and tasteless behaviours' she encountered along the way.
'At Wild Dog Creek campsite where we stopped for a short break, there was used toilet paper behind a tent platform on the ground surface. Presumably some poor ranger will have to deal with that,' she posted online, adding that she also found fresh egg shells dumped on the ground.
Other avid hikers agreed, with one local claiming human waste is 'becoming more and more common'. 'While not surprising, this is so sad to see. A result of too many people that have no care or decency entering the bush,' someone else said. Others called for a fine to be introduced to help curb the problem.
'Can't comprehend how or why people would go to such trouble to enjoy a beautiful environment but then leave their filth,' a fourth person added.
A Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia new toilet facilities were installed at the Walls of Jerusalem National Park in 2022, in addition to a walking track upgrade and campground platforms.
'While some PWS managed sites do have facilities, it manages some tracks in Tasmania that are in remote and pristine areas without formal toilet facilities,' they said.
'Plan your trip and know what facilities may or may not be available. Where toilets are provided, use them.
'To help protect sensitive vegetation and wildlife and ensure water sources stay safe and healthy for people and wildlife, it is essential to be prepared and know how to best toilet in the bush.'
Speaking to Yahoo last year, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife ranger Olivia Hickey pointed the blame at inexperienced bushwalkers and tourists.
'As a wilderness ranger, we transport a lot of poo that we find while out and about,' she said. 'We have to pick it up and have to deal with it by carrying it to the toilet. So there are a lot of people clearly doing the wrong thing. [People] are just pooing straight on the ground and that's become a much more obvious problem.'
While the issue is obviously gross, it also presents a 'massive' environmental concern. Human poo can 'kill the plants or make it more available for other weed species to come in', Hickey said.
'A lot of Tassie's wilderness is a world heritage area and has seen unchanged landscapes for a very long time…so that human impact will have a long-lasting impact on the environments that we're in.'
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For years bushwalkers have been encouraged to bury their poop in a hole at least 15 centimetres deep — and away from water and campsites. This approach is still encouraged, however only in areas 'that have got lots of soil" — so you'll need to bring a small shovel and know where to dig.
'Poo pots or poo tubes are the best option to support the Leave No Trace approach to bushwalking where toilets are not provided,' the PWS spokesperson said. 'Be sure to use fully biodegradable compostable bags and have a plan for when and how you will safety and correctly dispose of your waste at the end of your trip.
'If you must bury your poo while out on the track, dig a hole at least 15cm deep (about the length of your hand), a minimum of 100m from water sources and ensure your poo is well covered over. Pack out toilet paper and sanitary products, as these are not biodegradable.'
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