Tourists warned of new $462 fine for ‘disgusting’ act at popular Queensland National Parks campsites

Campers will need to bring a portable toilet to some of the Queenslandthe stunning waterfront campsites or a fine of $464, effective June 1.

Visitors to the popular areas say the crackdown couldn’t come sooner, with common areas littered with “wads of toilet paper”.

Shoveling and throwing a little loo will officially be a crime from Saturday at the Dorrigo South or Pelican Bay camping areas in the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, according to Queensland National Parks.

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“It is an offense to camp in this area without a portable toilet, with offenders being fined $464 on the spot,” the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) told 7NEWS.com.au

The move was made to protect both the health of visitors and the environment.

“Bush toileting in these popular camping areas poses an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of our campers and visitors, as well as endangering the natural environment of the area,” National Parks Queensland said in a statement.

But many have commented that the mandatory portable toilet rule for campers comes too late.

“Why did this take so long, the problem has been there for years,” wrote one camper Facebook.

“Ten years too late,” countered another.

“About time,” someone else agreed.

Tripadvisor reviews of the pristine location have been marred by reports of a “disgusting” amount of “human waste” for years.

“If you go anywhere near the bush you’ll find wads of toilet paper from past campers who haven’t taken a toilet,” said one Tweed Heads mum in Tripadvisor overview of the campsites in 2019

In addition to an unpleasant discovery, the remains of the “toilet in the bushes” can also be dangerous.

“Bush toileting in these popular camping areas poses an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of our campers and visitors, as well as endangering the natural environment of the area.”

“Help us keep these coastal camping areas beautiful and healthy.”

Not every portaloo will do

But a bucket and a bag won’t be enough to satisfy the National Park rangers who patrol for violations of the new rule.

“Your portable toilet must have a sealed waste collection tank and be transportable and suitable for emptying into a portable single-use toilet waste facility,” National Parks Queensland said.

“Bag and open bucket style toilets will not fool our rangers who will be on ‘gate patrol’ making sure you have a toilet and providing training on the benefits of using portable toilets.”

Portable toilets with sealed waste collection tanks can be purchased for between $50 and $300 campers, and one camper wrote on Facebook: “If you can afford a 4DW and camping gear, you can afford a portaloo – and empty it on appropriate way.’

“The only dumping point for this poo is back at Rainbow Beach Dump Point and the water station,” another camper added.

Dorrigo South or Pelican Bay camping areas are not the only national parks in Queensland to penalize campers without their own portable toilet.

The mandatory portable toilet rule was introduced in Teeva Beach in 2021, with the affected camping areas covering 14km of beach, including the area of ​​dunes and sand cliffs between the Noosa Shire Council boundary and Little Freshwater Creek, DESI said.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) Assistant Director-General Andrew Buckley said at the time: “There is a problem in this area with high toilet levels, particularly during peak times.”

He said more permanent toilets in the areas were “impracticable as the shifting sands and tidal influences make it impossible to erect any permanent structures”.