Big problem with new $322 fines for 'ghosting' act at Aussie camping grounds
Michael Atkinson, known online as Outback Mike, believes the new camping rules overlook an important and inevitable reality of remote camping.
After new fines were introduced in one state to crack down on 'ghost camping', renowned Aussie adventurer Outback Mike has poked a hole in the move claiming authorities' bid to preserve camping may instead risk the beauty of it.
Michael Atkinson, who starred in the first season of Alone Australia, told Yahoo News he applauds Queensland for not "burying their head in the sand" over the issue and actually trying to find solutions to ghost camping — a growing trend among some campers that involves booking several campsites to give themselves options, or to simply block others from using the space.
However, he believes remote parts of the state should be exempt from the hefty fines now in place for those caught in the act.
"The crux of my argument is that in remote areas, where it's impossible to amend or cancel bookings because there's no mobile service, people who are trying to do the right thing will still be fined," he worried.
Any campers who don't show up to Queensland national park campsite bookings or leave their tents unattended for over 24 hours will now cop an on-the-spot fine of $322.60, with the maximum penalty being $3,226 and even possible court proceedings.
Threat of fines can inflict 'crazy schedules' on campers
Many parts of outback Queensland are service dead zones and Mike believes this should be considered when the fines are enforced. He explained it can be difficult to predict exactly where you'll be during weeks-long camping trips, and the new rules mean campers will either be forced to abide by their "crazy schedules" to meet campsite bookings, or lose out on experiencing unexpected things along the way.
As a seasoned adventurer, even he has struggled to keep to a timeline during previous camping trips.
"Even when I was shooting a documentary and was trying to cross all my Ts, I still couldn't predict where I was going to be," he said. "I could not have been more of a square bear and I still left myself open to not being at a campground.
"And the thing is, when you go into a remote area, maybe the fishing is good somewhere, or maybe the weather's bad and you want to move on.
"We live in busy, modern lives where everything's scheduled, and you got to do this, go do that. When you go camping, particularly in a remote area, you want to leave all that stuff behind. You don't want to feel like you've got a crazy schedule which may be achievable or not," he argued.
Queensland authorities will enforce fines statewide
Queensland's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) confirmed to Yahoo News it will be enforcing the fines statewide and campers will not be exempt from fines if they miss campsite bookings in remote areas.
"There are situations where campers can demonstrate that they have a reasonable excuse for not attending their booked campsite, and in these instances, campers will not be fined," a spokesperson said.
In response, Mike said it was "concerning" that campers will now face the possibility of a fine and have unnecessary pressure hanging over their heads while exploring the country. "The DESI might give leeway but they might not."
Another suggestion he made was to "allow half the sites in a campground to be booked and maybe the other half to be for whoever just turns up" so campers have options if their trip goes awry.
Mike said if he had it his way camping in Queensland would follow in the footsteps of Victoria where authorities recently announced all campsites in the state will be free for use between December 2024 to June 2025.
"I might personally like the idea that camping is free and, you don't have to book, I understand for high-use areas and in school holidays, there's probably a time and place for it," he said.
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