Camper's bitter rant highlights growing tourist problem along Aussie coast

Frustration is growing among Aussie campers who make use of free camping spots across the country, with more and more areas now becoming off-limits for overnight stays. Aussies fear it's "getting harder and harder" for locals and tourists to enjoy the great outdoors, with authorities cracking down on people camping in public spots, with one advocate claiming "free camping has been ruined".

Concerns continue to grow around vulnerable parks and beaches across the country being left in disarray, with messy campers regularly being called out for littering and "ruining" some of Australia's most pristine spots.

Now, with incidents on the rise, many fear "unacceptable" behaviour will result in camping bans in areas where it's currently allowed, with several councils already making moves to weed out irresponsible campers — and it's becoming an alarming trend.

Growing backlash against lazy campers

Last month, hordes of campers descended on the Kosciuszko National Park, in the NSW Snowy Mountains, leaving behind mountains of "awful" rubbish, prompting calls for tougher penalties. And in December, Noosa locals feared beach camping could be banned after gear, including new tents and cabanas were left discarded on the sand.

Meanwhile, over Christmas one NSW man took matters into his own hands, turning to social media to track down people who left behind rubbish and broken camping gear on a Lake Macquarie foreshore. While in Noosa, Queensland council has cracked down on visitors using public car parks as campsites, issuing hefty fines for those who don't comply.

However the latest crackdown at a popular spot in Port Stephens, on the NSW coast, is likely due to overcrowding, outdoor enthusiast Michael Atkinson, widely known as Outback Mike, argues. He said soaring demand has led to a new crackdown on campers, made evident by a 'no camping' sign suddenly appearing from the council, in the Boat Harbour LGA.

Campers banned from another popular NSW spot

In a video shared on social media, the Alone Australia star said "people used to occasionally just come in here and camp" but suddenly "everyone started coming here" — resulting in a clampdown from the local council. He blamed apps and services that have become widely available for campers to find free spots.

"Pretty sure this is a new sign," he said standing beside a sign outlining 'park rules'. Among them, camping and caravans are banned from the public reserve.

"I've been coming here for more than a decade. People used to occasionally just come in here and camp. It was no big deal. Then about a year ago, someone stuck it on one of those apps where you talk about the free places where you can camp," he said.

"Then everybody started coming here, and now you can't camp. Those apps are great for finding free spots, but they also ruin those few spots that are left in Australia to be able to camp," he continued. "They're ruining it. I got to be honest, they are ruining it.

"Never put anything on those bloody free camping apps!" he implored his followers.

'Public reserves not available for camping'

Despite the occasional Aussie setting up camp in the public reserve, Port Stephens council insists "council has never allowed camping on public reserves". When asked what prompted the sign, and if littering or overcrowding was to blame, council did not respond.

"Public reserves in Port Stephens are not available for camping," Evert Bobbelaar, council's development and compliance section manager, told Yahoo News Australia.

"Our public reserves do not have the amenities to support camping, they are for the enjoyment of day time users.

"Our public reserves play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and liveability of both residents and visitors to the area. There are plenty of camping opportunities on offer [elsewhere] in Port Stephens."

• Big problem affecting Aussie campsites: 'Impacted our whole trip'

• Camping ban fears after trail of destruction left by tourists on popular Aussie beach

• 820kg find near river reveals 'disheartening' problem in Australia

Aussies frustrated as camping bans on the rise

Responding to Atkinson's remarks online, scores of Aussies resoundingly agreed, with one admitting: "I couldn't agree more mate".

"It’s getting harder and harder. Both personally and as an operator. Sites we used to have and kept secret for years are now overrun because of the camping apps," they complained.

"I had a perfect little secret camping spot just out of Perth. Someone put it on Wikicamps and when I went the next time people had trashed it with rubbish and poo," another said. "Reviews kept saying the same thing for a while and its now closed."

Human poo a major problem at campsites across Australia

The poo problem is widespread and one tourists are continuously warned about. Visitors at Dorrigo South or Pelican Bay camping areas in Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area in Queensland will now be prohibited from "bush toileting" — the act of relieving oneself in nature — and instead will be required to bring a portable toilet.

The strict new protocols were announced last month by local authorities who noticed more and more campers leaving a mess behind. Campers will now face $464 fines if caught defecating in nature.

Earlier this year, Yahoo News Australia reported that the act was particularly prevalent in Tasmania, with a ranger revealing she's noticed an "unprecedented" amount of human poo in wilderness areas throughout the state.

Olivia Hickey said some bushwalkers and campers simply "don't know how to toilet" while outdoors in "very fragile alpine ecosystems". She and her colleagues find faeces near rivers, lakes, streams, and campsites and even next to toilets.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.