Calls for major change at popular 4WD beaches and campgrounds as popularity soars
Overcrowding due to a surge in visitors at some of Queensland's pristine beaches has raised safety and environmental concerns.
A visit to Australia's sunshine state is rarely complete without a drive along one of Queensland's famous 4WD beaches. But as more and more people flock to the area, a frustrating problem has become evident among local residents and tourists alike — especially at this time of year.
An image shared online this week shows a 2-kilometre traffic jam on a residential street in Tewantin, a town of Noosa, with dozens of holidaymakers eager to end the year with a visit to Noosa North Shore. Those making the trek to the popular beach driving and camping spot in the Cooloola Recreation Area on the Sunshine Coast are leaving streets completely clogged.
A seemingly endless line of outdoor enthusiasts could be seen bumper to bumper in their SUVs, 4WD and campervans on their way to ferry which takes them to the Great Sandy National Park known for its long white beaches, towering cliffs and oceanfront camping locations.
Frustration as tourists overrun nearby towns: 'Killing our beaches'
The frustrating scene is all too familiar to some locals who say "it happens every year" — despite a permit being required to visit. Hoards of tourists bombard the streets hoping to make their way across and according to some it's "getting worse".
Responding to the long queue leading to the barge in Tewantin, one local admitted, "that’s why I don’t bother [going] anymore."
"It is backed up into Tewantin Town affecting the whole area and its residents," another complained, while some called for more action to be taken.
"Noosa council when will you put a limit on how many can go up. They are killing our beaches," one person said.
The post-Christmas scenes come just over two years since a state government report examined the impacts of the "clustering" hotspot, arguing for a hard cap on visitors.
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Safety and environmental concerns express by locals and wildlife authorities
The Cooloola Recreation Area encompasses popular spots including Rainbow Beach through to Noosa North Shore, and sits adjacent to the Teewah Beach camping area.
Noting a surge in visitors in recent years, a sustainability report released by Queensland's Department of Environment in 2022 suggested a cap on daily visitors was needed in response to concerns about safety and environmental sustainability, as well as stronger measures to tackle non compliance and unauthorised vehicles.
Reports of offences including reckless driving, littering and even defecating have increased at 4WD beaches in recent years amid a domestic tourism boom. A rise in complaints has prompted authorities to issue a plea and threat of fines to visitors
Late last year, speed limits on Cooloola beach were reduced to 40 kilometres per hour, down from 80km/h in a bid to promote safety where vehicles and people share the space.
It's a "smart choice" Dr Lauren Pearson from Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research at Monash University told Yahoo News Australia at the time. "Beaches and campgrounds are the kind of places where people, and particularly kids, should be able to enjoy a space without risking serious injury," she said.
Required visitor permits have done little to slow down tourism
To date, there's been no change in speed limit on other sections of Teewah Beach, but overcrowding remains a problem across the area. To help manage traffic and maintain visitor safety, a permit is required for Noosa North Shore and the entire Cooloola Recreation Area, although a steady increase of tourism remains.
Last year the price increased by $5 to $15 for daily visitors travelling in a car, ute, trailer or caravan up to 9.75m or 4.5 tonnes. Meanwhile the fees for residents and daily workers were reduced from $1 per trip to $0.50. Weekly and annual passes are also available.
Pedestrians and cyclists pay $2 for a return, same-day trip, while the fee for motorbike riders has risen from $4 to $6, the ABC reported. A penalty of $200 applies for entering a recreation area without a valid vehicle access permit.
Queensland's Environment Minister Leanne Linard reportedly noted that in 2023 alone, more than 182,000 camper nights were recorded in the Cooloola Recreation Area, with almost 100,000 vehicle access permits purchased, news.com.au reported last year.
She said it was important to consider how best to manage the area as visitor numbers continue to rise.
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