⛔BEACHFRONT CAMPING BAN at Wauraltee Beach: More Closures To Come❓🤔

We discuss the controversial ban on beachfront camping at Wauraltee Beach and its significant impact on the camping and caravanning community.
In this video, we delve into the reasons behind the ban, the community's response, and what it means for the future of outdoor enthusiasts. Join us for an informative discussion and share your thoughts in the comments.
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[@JudeB-h4o]

Awesome episode guys and Simon you have represented this issue in a balanced and constructive way!

[@wayneruck6706]

Great topic guys. My thoughts - We definitely need a voice and representative on behalf of all Australian recreational campers/caravans. - I totally agree to a management approach rather than an outright ban. We should all be able to use any areas of our beautiful nation equally, but management needs to be in place as population and popularity increases. - it should be illegal for a government to place an outright ban for all of us from using these areas without putting in a management plan. Be that for climbing a mountain, 4x4 or camping. - There should be a fee for some areas and the generated income needs to go back into that area for management. Like you said, if we don’t manage this, where does it stop and exactly WHERE will our children be able to go in the future. Let’s try and stop the saying - ‘In the good old days’

[@hapninemptynesters]

Well said!

[@Vantancik]

You guys have always put out great content and information and this episode is no exception. The one thing that will guarantee access being restricted/stopped is environmental impact. From reading the comments it all seems to be similar behaviour that contributes to this. From one end of the country to the other, not disposing of human waste and rubbish in an environmentally sensitive way will always bring everything undone. We all have the privilege to explore this country and learn from the history of the land and its people. The most important thing that we must remember is that we also need to respect the land and environment, become custodians of it and preserve it for future generations. Some of the behaviour we all witness just confirms that sometimes maybe we don’t deserve that right. It’s easy to take the stance that we pay taxes and it’s our right, and yes it is, but unless your willing to conduct yourself the respect that ensures these places don’t get shut down then you’re really only enjoying these places on borrowed time.

[@lyndylou752]

Hope you enjoyed my home town, but I will say we get a lot of people who come to our pristine bush areas, leaving campfires unchecked, leaving rubbish everywhere, I dont believe social media is the issue it is just plain ignorance.

[@travelsolo2677]

Agree, we were camping in Lincoln NP and our campsite had rubbish dumped in the bush and toilet paper everywhere. There were toilets and bins with in a 50m walk too. We were disgusted & can’t blame authorities in closing these areas when a minority ruin it for all

[@ouradventurebeforedementia7505]

Another great video guys, My wife and I have stayed at Wauraltee Beach three times in the past year, and every time we have witnessed campers digging holes in the sand and dumping their toilet cassettes, instead of driving the 20k in either direction to the dump point. If you walk through the sand hill you find rubbish and toilet paper everywhere. If people don't respect these campsites, then more will get closed.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It's frustrating but unfortunately, some people just don't care.

[@BordertotheShore]

As a former local, and current regular user, the beach is only packed during peak times like school holidays and long weekends….and totally agree with what you’ve said. To allow 4WD uses and daytime access to continue and just ban overnight campers is unfair. Most caravans these days are fully self contained, the usual 4WD owners will still continue to crap in the dunes… sacrificing a couple of beaches for camping for the greater good of the other beaches shouldn’t be a problem. YES, manage it with booking fees etc, we’d still be happy to pay as we do at other sites. At the end of the day, local council won’t be policing the fines, DENW will be and they’re short staffed 😉😉😉 Keeping on camping !!! 🇦🇺

[@sltilley64]

Totally agree that there needs to be a representative body that is a voice for the travelling community as well as the local communities in these areas.. definitely need a mutual understanding for both sides. Closing them down is not the answer as you have stated, a more regulated system, similar to WA and parts of the Yorke Peninsula is a much better option. Book by site with limited numbers and reduce the access to the fragile dune areas. It will make people more accountable for their actions if they know that their details are recorded when booking a site. If they need to charge fees they can contribute to the cost of employing a ranger or caretaker to control the sites

[@NeilFritz]

I agree with a lot you are saying, my wife and I have been travelling in our van for a number of years and in that time, we have noticed the increasing number of people how are not being respectful or responsible. We have planned a big trip to SA this year, it is a shame that they have just completely closed that beach area, not that we beach camp, but I think Management of an area is more preferable, limit the numbers, enforce being self-contained and monitor the area. I really enjoy watching your families' adventures, take care looking forward to the next episode.

[@davidfox4799]

Well spoken Simon,We all love the free camping and a management system needs to be put into place.I for one not happy that it has to happen. But I think unfortunately there are some people that don't do the right things, and it affects all of us with shutting places down.

[@KSmith-ez3dh]

Gold episode. Opens discussion. Understand the need to preserve the environment but camping will not stop so we need to manage it as towns have died by diverting travellers. I appreciate your stance on not sharing a site a local has confided to you.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! It's a tough one for sure.

[@tonylocke6822]

KZbin has changed it for the good and the bad. What grinds me is when influencers complain about places being busy or having to share a camp with others when they're the ones putting all of these places on the map. KZbinrs seem to think they can only make content in areas in which they're by themselves. I'd prefer vloggers to keep the places to themselves or give the slightest hint. Adds to the adventure of finding it for yourself and adds that element of discovery. As for Wauraltee, no one to blame but the few that ruin it for everyone else by being grubs and disrespecting the campsites.

[@donmcwaters5627]

Hi Guys, new to watching your channel and absolutely enjoying your honest unbiased outlook and opinions. This is a hot topic and really needs to be addressed , My wife and myself are extremely lucky to own a beach shack at Wedge Island and for a few years now have been experiencing a similar situation that you have addressed here. In the early days every man and his dog would go to Wedge and treat it as a lawless society , it was totally out of control then the government stepped in and started to clamp down /close down the area, this was great made the area peaceful and quiet but then made it only exclusive to the people that had a residence there. this area like so many areas around this great country of ours needs to be enjoyed by all Australians and even though a managed system is not totally liked by everyone it needs to be in place so that everyone can still enjoy it

[@jeffandrews6966]

Well said mate . I don’t believe any bush or beach should be shut down. We all pay our taxes and have a right to travel this land , it’s not the bloody government’s land it’s everyone’s . However I do believe if you leave rubbish you SHOULD receive MASSIVE fines to deter that behaviour. Dropping donuts in the bush or beaches should also get MASSIVE FINES.

[@travelsolo2677]

There are big fines and impoundments of vehicles, but as these areas are remote and unpoliced , it doesn’t happen

[@KathMorris9082]

You have nailed it Simon. You guys aren't the problem. There is the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party. It may be worth reaching out to them. Thanks for sharing.

[@ashleybirch5856]

Great episode as always, from SA myself and been there a few times... you know that wauraltee beach is crown land hence the no cost to camp and had no management process, the dune camp is run by the local council, hence the fee.... wondering if as the beach itself is crown land that's why not having a management system put in place is the issue... shame that it has gone this way but sadly the minority that ruins it for the rest of us..

[@rosevermeersch5140]

It's not the lack of Management @ Wauraltee Beach causing the issues.... a contributing factor maybe? The true issue is... the disgusting, disrespectful, destructive behaviour of free campers as seen all around Australia. The "closure" has certainly been a call out, rallied the troops & shone a spotlight on what is truly happening. KZbinrs finally acknowledging/confirming what authoritiIes are complaining of increases momentum for action.

[@brendonleyshon9768]

If ever there was a recreational representative body, then you guys should head it. I have no doubt you'll have support from all areas of recreation. i know I'm watching with interest and you'll have my support should you go down that path. Great work guys, love it!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for the encouragement! We'll see how things go. 😉

[@michaelobst1830]

Good episode, but one of the things that was not mentioned in the paper was the amount of people emptying their toilet cassette in the sand dunes. I'm from SA and spend a lot of time on the yorke and I agree they should manage as they have done to Perlubie beach.

[@KSmith-ez3dh]

I saw a youtube ep on this but can't verify the location. A line up of caravans were emptying in the dunes b4 they left because the town was too far away for them. Many not even digging. It must have been happening during the stay as well. Disgusting.

[@rosevermeersch5140]

ALSO.... What REALLY happens to the grey water (turns to black water 12-24 hrs after sitting in the tanks)? Cant imagine the Ningaloo campers empting at dumping points whilst camping from 2-4 weeks? Low cost "self contained" aren't always free from grey/black water being dumped under the vehicles just prior to departure. Sadly many people are Complac😂ent, self entitled & uncaring of the sites next occupant.

[@rosevermeersch5140]

Many KZbinrs were a big part & responsible for PERLUBE BEACH fiasco several Xmases past. Subsequently Sth Australian authorities instigated the controlled/contained camping which now exists there. Unfortunately this problem is popping up on others of their peninsulas...my guess is the Wauraltee Beach total closure was a "warning shot" to all past/future intending users. Once control/ regulations & satisfactory controls are arrived at... camping, etc, will resume in a different format. 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@troutchaser7424]

Well put Simon. They should limit numbers and charge a Fee to camp there. Fees would help the council manage the area and make a dollar for other works. Keep up the great content. Safe Travels.

[@robtampion4009]

Great episode guys on that subject. It’s a real shame that councils don’t reach out to everyone that is involved with these sorts of decisions. In terms of everyone I’m talking about those guys that camp. It appears that in the eyes of the respective management groups the campers will just have to “grin & bear” our decision. A meaningful outcome would have been to place an upper limit on the spots available to camp on the beach and levy a respectful charge, one that campers in conjunction with councils & other stakeholders involved agree upon. It so happens that today, a vid by Living with Kings touched on similar grounds as you guys did. Arriving on the peninsula in Sth Aust they parked up, setup, only to discover bad smells etc etc. The guys spent a lot of time cleaning up the area to make it presentable once more. Needless to say, they expressed & vetted their views on individuals that have little respect for the environment. Commenting that this is exactly why, councils are starting to close great camp places solely due to extremely bad camping etiquette by some. I wonder if both the local state & federal members are across this situation. Been there before with a specific location on the Sunny Coast.

[@rosevermeersch5140]

EXACTLY....nobody should have to suffer these more frequent occurrences. We can & must do better....even if it's holding these irresponsible people to account!

[@kayleighrigby3802]

Great episode and so glad you’ve brought this up. Being from SA, we love beach camping and are extremely disappointed that Wauraltee is being closed. After spending time on the Eyre peninsular the way the Eyre Peninsular council manage Perlubie beach is definitely something that the Yorke Peninsular should consider or should have considered before just closing it for camping. By making Wauraltee a booking system rather than outright banning camping would put ownership on the people that have booked that particular site to do the right thing and the money the council would get from campers would facilitate them to be able to properly manage & monitor it. Daytime users now don’t have a toilet because they don’t have their caravan/camping set up so where are the daytime users going to go, the sand dunes? Also looking at the fact that a lot of businesses and supermarkets in the area will be affected, especially at those peak holiday times! It’s also interesting because the 45ha of land that sits behind Wauraltee beach is for sale so keen to see what’s happens with that land when it’s sold!

[@windavis3857]

Thanks Simon and Liz, Well spoken comments about a problem which is affecting travellers, “locals” and future generations. ( but it’s now 2 in the morning and it’s going around in my head ! 🤣🤣) It is a problem with many sides. We love watching your videos and as intermittent travellers, have gotten much useful info about great places to see and where to stay 😂 I like your way of treating “secret spots”. So, yes, I think social media has played a part ( good and bad) in the popularity, over use and hence closure of places. However, people ( the minority - campers and day trippers ) who leave rubbish, drive crazily etc… have also played a part. Locals feel a little possessive - As an ex Yorkes local who lived 15 min from Burners beach and used to camp there every summer with family and friends , it is now frustrating to see it so packed, that potentially there’s no room for you to camp. However, we love visiting and camping at other places where obviously other locals feel the same. I agree and believe that total ban of campers is not the answer - especially if day trippers are allowed. Maybe limit areas / space, numbers, amount of time people can stay …. This takes Human Resources, which are no doubt limited ( another problem) Hopefully we can all work together to solve the problem, so that we can enjoy , our kids and grandkids can enjoy and have the best times in this beautiful country. 😊

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment! Totally agree, it's a complex issue without a clear solution.

[@MareeForman]

Simon I totally get what you are saying and agree with most of it. I personally don’t believe the you tubers are responsible for the destruction or rubbish left. From what I’ve seen most of you are very environmentally responsible and are teaching your kids to do the right thing as well. As an older traveller I love to watch all these videos as I will not get to travel to some of these places but have so enjoyed the landscapes, gorges,wildflowers,waterfalls etc. We are still travelling (just not so far) and have seen a lot of what you are describing and are very saddened by it. Good on you guys for highlighting the problem. I don’t think there is an easy answer. 👍👍👍💕💕💕

[@johnmayo5942]

Just some feedback on sharing camping spots. We have had many of our "secret spots" in WA shared on social media. A general area explained is good enough as half the fun is finding a spot yourself. I personally think these places shouldn't be shared on social media.

[@lastknownlocation8760]

I think banning vehicles on beaches full stop is a good idea. Walking only on beaches. Look at K’gari. There used to be huge flocks of crested turns on 70 mile beach Now it’s like a highway and the birds have died through not having anywhere to rest after feeding The behaviour and selfishness is disgusting. This type of destruction is happening all around Australia. Keep the beaches for nature and don’t destroy what you came to enjoy. Make all beaches vehicle free. The picture of dozens and dozens of caravans and cars on the beach was so disgusting. How can anyone think that’s alright. Yes, go to the places, speak to the locals, go for a walk on the beach. Oh, and try not to get run over. It’s a mindset too. Dozens and dozens of people at Ngkala rocks sitting watching competitions for who can get through in the hottest 4WD and not get bogged. Meanwhile all around them is a world heritage listed island, but they’re more interested in watching the cars with not a clue about their surroundings. Why not leave the island and go to a local manufactured 4WD track to do this silly activity.

[@JudithRobbins-di5wb]

Hi guys Wow so well said, congratulations on being this topic to the community at large. We also enjoy travelling in our van. We would definitely support you in organising a what’s app meeting or zoom meeting Keep up good work and good luck with bringing this topic forward.

[@paulkenny7363]

Great episode and really well said

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers!

[@JaneSavage-o7c]

I’ve been told by someone who camped on that beach and they said they saw many caravaners digging holes in the sand and dumping their waste there instead of taking it to a designated dump point.

[@harrybergeest6790]

Well said and I totally agree. If they close all the free camps we would have to go to caravan parks and that is not camping. Up in Coral Bay WA the caravan park is so crowded you might as well be in the middle of the city surrounded by high rises. The whole idea of caravanning is to experience Australia and the bush. Like you said just good management is necessary and if you have to pay a low cost fee so be it but not ban it.

[@CHOPSZOOKER]

You wouldn't say it Simon, but I will. Wanker locals are a huge issue. Seen it there with my own eyes. Late Friday night, local crew youngish all in their farm utes (yes you can tell) probably pissed when they entered beach. Carried on like wankers till around 4am. Around 8am left, leaving mess. Still probably drunk then too. I got sick of reading all these " I'm a local and all these campers/tourists are the issue" in the comments of the million news articles on this topic recently. And a side note, I'm actually wondering if all these videos about this topic are helping. Clickbait video titles on campgrounds being trashed are now fodder for online news articles. And that's bad IMO. Just look at the Great Northern issue, now it's in the news all I've seen is the other side calling the 4wders wrong for not wanting to protect the environment.

[@RodLatimer]

Love your videos and there is so much to unpack here! - I agree that management is better than a flat ban in most of these locations. - Infrastructure and management funded by people using the sites is a must (shouldn’t be a burden on locals) - Better facilities and designated access points (vehicles and pedestrians), camp areas and restriction on numbers (including day users) - Education and information about the local habitat and the negative effects humans doing the wrong thing can have would be helpful People dumping toilet cassettes in the dunes (or anywhere but a dump point) is crazy. My brother-in-law is a plumber and advised that the chemicals used in the liquid and tablet treatments for these things will kill the reed bed of a septic system - so what do you think that will do to the vegetation of a sand dune??? (Not just that you might step in someone’s business)

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

Having lived with a young family in an area that was a strongly popular tourist area in the summer season I have strong understanding of the decision to CLOSE the beach. As a resident in the small community having been flooded by literally thousands of visitors, some, not all but a small mob, of whom are NOT INTERESTED IN SOCIALLY OR ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, each year and the disruption to life (add an extra half hour minimum just to get to or from school or church or work) the emppty shelves in the local grocery, the raids on backyard chicken egg boxes and garrden damage frompeople 'wandering' across private property and endless denial of access to the local parks, beaches, lakes, fishing sites and others...I can fully understand locking off the beach BUT I do not see value in the exceptions listed...Seems a little political to me.

[@KSmith-ez3dh]

Good points.

[@stuartandrews7229]

That was very well said

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks.

[@JustinDover-w6j]

Great episode , very well said. Unfortunately the people that cause the damage to these areas do not have the respect that you guys or everyone watching/commenting on your page has. But that being said locking us all out of these areas is not the answer. The role that social media plays I believe is positive , it educates and inspirers people to visit and travel this great country.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! It's a shame it has come to this.

[@jus.kenz17]

Great comments, imminently sensible. Live the vid and appreciate your bravery in filming it ❤

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I appreciate that!

[@hapninemptynesters]

Great conversation to have about closing parks. We agree with all you said! We do the same with sharing. If it’s on Wiki or google we are happy to share. We also agree more spots open spread people out more!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I’m glad you guys are on board!

[@bradz7]

If they banned all vehicles from Wauraltee I'd probably be less pissed. The fact that they listed the impacts that really only arise from 4WD's but still allow 4WD's is laughable. Being an Adelaide resident, Yorkes used to be a great weekend destination for a 1 or 2 night stay. When I first read the statement a few weeks ago, I decided to never return. F%$K em. I just won't bring my money down there. The entire peninsula is now on my shitlist. I will continue to travel & spend my money in areas that welcome us. /rant.

[@greghammond7956]

Well said in regards to the free camping issue Simon, you’re spot on! We’re being governed by fools! So they close an area off because they think it’s under too much pressure, which simply pushes those campers onto another area that already is probably close to max capacity anyway. It’s just a NIMBY approach.

[@susanrobinson8377]

I definitely support reasonable regulation and a fair booking system. Australia belongs to all Australians, as long as we treat the area respectfully camping should be allowed. I would also like to find a lot more paid water filling stations.

[@graemegrieve1953]

A great video and well done on a well articulated and balanced view. Controlling numbers through a booking systems seems to work well in many areas. I hope you do get the opportunity to speak with some of the regulators at some point as your passion for both recreational travel and the environment would be a valuable asset. Look forward to catching up at Porepunkah

[@MrMakk1234]

Parks and wildlife managers throughout Australia seem to take the opportunity to close down and lock out the public whenever the opportunity arises, locals don’t own these public areas, visitors(including locals)must treat the areas with respect.

[@Accolades70]

Great vid... lots of useful info... gonna be lots of input I guess....we for one would have liked to visit that area.. One Day....

[@boxheadmr]

The Waraltee Beach closure highlights a growing problem. With recreational vehicle accessory spending and camper trailer/caravan sales booming, more families than ever are seeking affordable holidays. However, rising costs of caravan parts and overall travel costs like fuel are pushing people towards free camping, putting pressure on locations like Waraltee. Instead of outright closures, we need sustainable management solutions that balance environmental protection with the increasing demand for affordable camping experiences. What innovative solutions can we explore to keep these areas open and accessible?

[@boxheadmr]

One key solution is increased investment in supporting infrastructure. Just as the surge in electric vehicle popularity demanded more charging stations, the boom in caravanning and camping requires government support at all levels to provide essential facilities like water and toilets. Coupled with this, enhanced education for caravan and camper owners about responsible camping practices is crucial. This approach not only protects the environment but also brings increased awareness and revenue to local councils and communities through tourism spending.

[@boxheadmr]

Another crucial solution lies in strategically expanding available camping areas. The concentration of campers at popular spots like Waraltee Beach highlights the need to better distribute recreational impact. Opening additional locations, equipped with the necessary supporting infrastructure (like those mentioned previously), would not only alleviate pressure on overused sites but also offer more diverse experiences for campers. This dispersal of visitors would allow the environment to recover more effectively and prevent any single location from bearing the brunt of increased tourism. By providing more options, we encourage responsible dispersal and a lighter footprint overall.

[@uspinks]

Well said

[@KSmith-ez3dh]

Agreed

[@coversadventurecapers2838]

Agree with your thoughts. I wonder too if it’s the free camping part that they are stopping so then paid places around the area are the only options. We’ve seen since Covid places that use to be affordable are now ridiculous prices for peak times. Which is unfair if the only time you can be visiting those places in peak times and no low cost or free options.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

The more places they close down, the more crowded and over-used the remaining places get. Closing places down is not a good solution. Management is the only way to go. Places like Exmouth and Broome in W.A. have been so anti-free camping for so long, we no longer consider them as destinations. Of course these councils know they are in a very popular area and can do whatever they like but we vote with our wallets and don't go and spend money in places that don't provide what we are looking for.

[@johncampbell3628]

Management of numbers is the answer but another issue is also how campers treat the location in terms of leaving only footprints.

[@kevinclay4189]

Well done, we have no issues with low cost camping being applied to these area's that are heavily used, but there is a but, We recently spent 3 mths on the York Pen, at many amazing spots right around the Pen, including The area you highlighted in your current vid,. Unfortunately in all that time we never saw a ranger nor any form of authority patrolling those areas, Now lam not saying they dont patrol, but we spent alot of time on the beach's, fishing and exploring the areas. We did go to the NP at Marion Bay as a day trip and yes rangers were visible and welcome in our eyes anyway, but that was a major NP so it wouldn't surprise us Unless the appropriate managing authority's are willing to use some of this ill gotten gains to actively police these areas, then nothing will change resulting in the same result, CLOSURE, maybe that's their master plan to, lol, If they start patrolling the effected areas and handing out some fines or move on orders to this small minority that continues to offend, l believe the message will get out there. Places Like Fraser Island/Kalbarri, are policed heavily, The high Country around Mansfield in Vic is another hotspot for illegal extreme off road vehicles and there is a definite tremor amongst the 4wd fraternity that frequent this area, that extreme off road vehicles who do not meet basic road safety will be caught and put off the road to which most support. To my way of seeing the issues, are more about, lack of enforcement when Officially interested parties pass these laws yet fail to responsibly manage, So eventually they decide to just lock it up as the ultimate solution. But really what has happened is the managing authorities have failed in their duty of Care/Responsibility to all interested groups here. End of Rant, but keep up the good work TLP

[@raelenekay4565]

I think it has more to do with people being pigs and leaving their rubbish and their potty evidence where other people also occupy the beach and the sand doons. We have become a land of self entitlement where respect has been lost to the past. People don't respect the land and the creatures who also occupy it and need it to survive. But the sad fact is, we as a nation shouldn't have to be reminded what it means to have respect and what it means to be proud of where we are from and where we are going.

[@JulieHarvey-h9n]

Totally agree Simon & Liz! So much to say…. Firstly, I’m pleased that I have seen a lot of this country when we started travelling 40 years ago, we could camp and not see a person or vehicle for a week - whether it was coastal or outback - however I still travel and will be travelling this country for a long time yet. As a Fraser Coast local, we have seen the island, Inskip Point and Teewah beach sooo busy on weekends, and so much rubbish left , we rarely camp there any more - how disappointing as it’s my favourite! - but it’s just too busy! It has been highly managed with permits etc, however I don’t believe this has changed much - there must be huge $$$ collected, why is it not used to police the area and fines issued - all details are given online when booking - or are the culprits not booking?? Personally I feel caravanners are self contained, and most will do the right thing. How disappointing to think people dump toilet cassettes and leave rubbish in these pristine areas. Unfortunately I feel that it is the ‘locals’ of these areas that do abuse their own backyard - ie roll out the swag , no toilet facilities , leave broken chairs or gazebos. Guess if it’s closed from Feb 2025, we’ll be able to check in after 6 or 12 months to see if anything has changed. Thank you for being vocal on this, lots of You tubers are, Roothy was very outspoken about these issues years ago when he was doing vids - and there is many of us that clean up areas so we can keep camping in this beautiful country!

[@explore_n_pour]

Thank you for being the sound of reason! We've seen other beaches and areas choose a management system over closure , which has worked really well! This appears to be a reactionary measure with little to no thought or discussion. Yes, I'm a little biased at the moment as we are planning to travel in 2026, and Wauraltee has always been high on our list. But the reasons given in the statement make little sense to me.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It’s a shame they don’t see the value in a different system.

[@jebw]

Great rant and very much on point. Perlubie beach become too popular then very restricted. So some campers moved to Wauraltee beach which then became over popular. In the last few weeks the number of campers exploded trying to have a beach camping expirence on Wauraltee. Many towns are disappearing due to lack of business patronage and in some cases if wasn't for social media, they would have already died. It appears SA doesn't want tourists. A recent SA pub offered free camping out the back, but the council closed this down.

[@willow5075]

Agree with everything you have said! Remember these kinds of shows all started in the 1970s with the Leyland’s !

[@michaelcampbell6721]

I was considering becoming a grey nomad but I see more videos about free camping closures or over use so it’s put me off. I like your explanation and your idea of a body representing campers…..I’d vote you as President 👍👍

[@PauletteJones-qn2di]

Great episode and very well spoken Simon.

[@robgould3992]

Great to hear your thoughts on this topic .Totally agree that management of these areas is far better than closure. A big problem we have found is ghost booking of sites it will indicate very few sites available, but on arrival find the whole area empty. This is very disappointing. Is this a way of reducing visitors.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for sharing! This is another issue we face regularly.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Well presented discussion topic outlining the considerations. Let’s hope there’s a common sense value approach for all. Self regulation is a historic failure so rules are the default answer to remove the problem. Doesn’t look like they even tried to manage this great location for all levels of interest.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yeah, it's a shame it's come to this.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@ we were only lamenting the other day the real need for a serious off road van as we won’t need it. The outback is becoming the real last frontier. Enjoy VIC Highlands, you can just about go anywhere you’re capable of in there. Great video.

[@PaulvandenBraak]

Well said mate and I totally agree with you. What secret? Study the map properly and you'll find it has no secrets. Yes, start a governing body for it so that they can represent us better.

[@rosevermeersch5140]

Thank you for this exposure, Simon, along with several other KZbinrs. Of course the reaction caused by the closure of Wauraltee Beach has finally acknowledged there are growing problems needing attention. Being aware, more proactive, earlier recognition of issues & control measures are certainly needed. These are complex matters which fulltime travellers who regularly use free/low cost camps have a wealth of information. What we do know is present trends are not sustainable.

[@bruceheid1647]

😂Thanks for your courage to speak up. It is not content creators fault that a small fraction of campers spoil it for the rest of the campers. It is not always Aussies that make the mess -the worst camp-site messes we have experienced were created by foreign backers on "cheap" holidays. Keep up the good work!

[@4WheelingSA]

Love your episode. Glad it is not only our kids... We can relate to your problem. Actually a great tip to get them to socialise with other people then...

[@JohnMiddleton-sv4hf]

I think you have covered the problem perfectly, our economy you would think surely has to have improved if people are traveling Australia and not overseas.

[@MrKlaus01]

I was on Wauraltee Beach during January. My observation was that the people camping on the beach were doing the right thing. There was a couple of I guess local cars that were speeding up and down the beach. I would rather see a management system where they limit the number of campers, even if it becomes part of paying to camp on the beach. I reckon there is a beach in Kakadu where they limit the number of campers on the beach and it works well. I leant about the beach through word of mouth, not influencers. I also feel the local council are trying to make people use their campsites that were all booked out.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yeah, I’m all for a good management system too.

[@TaylorsOnTour067]

Thankyou Simon n Liz this has been the best explanation we have seen or listened to . Totally agree on all points ! Covid definitely changed things in more than one way . We have planned our travel from several social media outlets and its been very helpful . Also thru word of mouth from other travellers n locals .

[@jenpatjen]

This subject is so complex, we’ve been free camping for more than 20 years and it’s gone from enjoying beautiful peaceful areas with very few others to fully loaded push and shove get there early or miss out free or donation areas. I know we’ve encouraged everyone with a van to travel this way so we’ve all had a part in promoting this way of travel. Using wiki camps for 10 years along with the camps Australia map book and contributing to reviews makes us equally accountable to the movement of hundreds and hundreds of big white boxes snaking around our beautiful country fulfilling the dream to see it all. Social media definitely promotes this lifestyle and I’ve used it extensively to research our next adventure. Once we definitely would have happily driven past many places being unaware of them on our way to our destination, without content creators of one type or another, we wouldn’t know about them. I think more and more people are not just holidaying for a period of time, they are living on the road more and of course that’s going to make it worth finding places to stop for free for longer, the more beautiful the better. There is no easy solution to this now, people can only be encouraged to change selfish and destructive behaviour and have good manners within camp. For example Fraser or K’gari is our back yard and we’ve camped at the beach areas around it for free for 40 odd years and it has been distressing to see the disgusting, disrespectful and selfish behaviour destroying these pristine places. We’ve seen everything from full buckets and porta loos just left behind, piles of broken camp gear left for someone else to remove, ghost camps taking up large spaces in popular areas for weeks, dangerous beds of hot coals left and I could go on. I totally understand the locals being upset by being unable to enjoy what was their piece of paradise without having to fight for a spot. There is no stopping the travel dream! and content creators are rewarded by all of the companies that supply the items required to make those dreams come true. The money machine is in full motion, the rigs are getting bigger better more and so is the desire to travel/live in style with as little hardship as possible. I’m not judging I to have gone from super simple to better set ups. Education about environmental care is always important, and it’s an area that needs a mention from time to time. No one wants to be told how they should do things but I know I appreciate comments from content creators that encourage the care factor. Ultimately it’s up to all of us to give a dam about the effect of our footprint across our country. Sorry if this come across as a rant 😂 but it is a passionate subject with no real answer, human nature is selfish in general.😅 ok I’m done😂

[@michellemanton434]

Good video guys. There is a organisation it’s called Australian Recreational Motorists Association They are a great organisation and you should get involved with them. They have many groups under them in all recreational aspects. ❤

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Cheers for the tip, we'll check it out!

[@marktate8770]

Absolutley spot on. Unfortunatley some locals in parts of Australia do not like tourists and they like everyone are entitled to their opinions. In this case I think managing the sittuation first would have gone a long way to resolve concerns. For the ones of us that watch yours and other channels, we do it for a number of reasons including being shown great locations we can dream or plan on visiting. Without youtubers we wouldnt have this chance. And something for people to think of is some local bussiness would possibly struggle as popularity brings bussiness, closing areas down will stop this. I wonder if it is about time that councils and goverments realise the public land belongs to Australians, they are there to manage it not stop access as a first measure. Simply manage areas properly and come down heavy on those that dont respect the land and and you will fix most of the issues.

[@donnabridges5858]

This is not that . We object to our beautiful environment being trashed . We picked up six garbage bags full after the long weekend . Dirty nappies , women’s sanitary products ( used ) you name it they dumped it . Next thing it’s in the sea . This environment needs protection. If that makes me a bad guy too bloody bad .

[@mattsrenown]

I agree with all you have said.thanks for speaking up. Mabey it's time all the company’s in this recreational industry chip in to form a voice for us. Also have experience with locals in my own areas being the grubs and not the tourists. It gotta be about education not just a blanket ban.

[@jacintahoareigjac_stitch_a5752]

So we’ve recently sold our caravan as we looked at where it’s all at just now and decided to do something different. It seems to me that everyone wants to be by the beach and tripping inland seems to be the choice when there is no room at the beach. The beach side spots must be heaving with traffic. I have an objection to ALL vehicles driving on beaches - ban it all as it’s environmental vandalism in my view. Ultimately the answer will have to be management of sites which will mean reduced capacity.

[@davenmoo]

The camp at Yackandandah is a pearler. We’ve camped in the same spot a couple of times and know the area like the back of our hands.still plenty of gold in that creek and the goldmine tours well worth doing! Feel free to reach out if you’re in the area again. A lot of hidden treasures nearby including the Enchanted forrest

[@raven-s1x]

It’s a shame to think that the local government and locals want this beach closed due to a few irresponsible people Would like to think that they could come up with a better solution to what has been introduced As a Victorian we can’t even drive on our beach never mind camp on them, it would be nice to think that all campers do the right think and we don’t lose the privilege of being able to camp in these spectacular and awesome places

[@edwardstephens7643]

Good soap box well said on everything you said I’m 74 and things have gone wrong with health and finally I’ve gotten on top of things I had my own business until I got cancer now that I’m all clear and I get going in May I hear other KZbinrs complain about the older generations getting on the road because we slow them down I just ramble on But thanks again Simon well said Ted

[@77lx]

Great episode, I agree mate. Poorly managed areas, learn from Parks WA. Social media helps share our amazing country, poor management doesn’t help preservation.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

I’m so glad you agree, it’s a real shame!

[@traciesmith7436]

It’s because of the grots that don’t clean up after themselves and leave rubbish everywhere. We stayed at 14 mile beach on the Ningaloo. It was a little out of season so there was no camp host. A few spots down from us there was a camper van with some Europeans in it and we watched them walk up into the dunes with their shovel and toilet paper. It clearly states when booking that you have to have a chemical toilet. If there was a camp host they wouldn’t have be been able to stay.

[@NikkiWhiteley-h8d]

Absolutely loving your videos!!! I also completely agree with your take on "secret spots" - if you make the effort and time to converse with locals who in return gift you the knowledge of their locals spots (which are not shown on wikicamps or elsewhere), these should not be shared with the masses via any channels. Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge and tips for off-grid setup (it's helped us immensely in our hybrid choice and additions)!! Happy off-gridding

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Appreciate the support! It's good to know we're helping others enjoy the off-grid life.

[@JohnJones-op2qu]

Well said mate. I agree with management. We are Australians (yes there are tourists) but we are the majority. We should be able to go anywhere in the country and obviously we need to camp. Reasonable fees for all concerned may be a way to go with locals excepted as many councils in NSW do.

[@sandyflowers1617]

Well said we agree needs to be managed not shut down as others have said you go local for food fuel etc great video guys Yackandandah is a beautiful spot aswell as other little towns around the area enjoy cheers from Melbourne 😊

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Absolutely

[@Vantastic_Aus]

We are with you guys Simon, we only share camp sires that are easily found on wiki camps, or well known. But get backlash for not sharing the other ones that are not as well known. Ther is already a number of organizations that claim to represent 4wds and also caravan ones as well. But not sure how much they do. We generally find the closer to the big cities the more feral the free camps are, as they get more use, and therefore more chance of getting the wrong type of people using them, unfortunately.

[@Off.Track4x4]

Hey mate, thank you so much for taking the time to talk about the national parks. The only way this is going to change is through lots of noise. The more channels that talk about it, the more pressure national parks feel this could explode. Please keep talking about it mate. Unfortunately no management plans can be put in place due to funding issues.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

You're right, we need to keep the conversation going. This one in particualr has nothing to do with National Parks, but there's issues there as well.

[@SerjSayan]

I don't understand how they have the powers to just make a call just like that...its just summer holidays...pretty extreme in my opinion

[@davloy1]

I understand why they saying this it happened to us in Venus bay Victoria we have a beach house there for 30 years , we had our beach wipe out with the pippies harvesting, which is sad but now not many come to the town and local businesses are not as busy now . Double edge sword and now to buy bait it’s costing a fortune it’s cheaper to go Victoria market buy the seafood instead of fishing

[@Wetpaintadventures]

Mate we are living on the road and off grid as much as possible, we totally agree with your thoughts, I just said to my wife we should make a in-depth video on leaving a camp site cleaner and better than when you arrived, one thing I would like to see is anyone camping in a national park or free camp must carry a composting toilet , this may take some time to get going but it’s a start, love your videos, keep them coming, pretty sure we are going to do the goggs track soon, cheers Wayne & Frankie

[@billywillychilly]

The reason we watch the videos, is to find and hear opinion on camping spots, if they’re not shared what’s the point of watching. Another thing is, popular campspots bring campers spending money in surrounding local towns

[@KSmith-ez3dh]

In many people's eyes these habits are normal so it will be difficult to create one method which suits all. Hopefully govt decides the best for our environment and for the future of our children.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It's a tough call for sure.

[@AD-dx7lr]

Yorke council have increased their camp fees from $10 to $20 a night. For that increase, many have no toilets on offer. I feel if they're going to charge, offer some amenities so that waste is not dumped.

[@JakandJMS]

I agree that if you find out about a place on the web ie Wikicamp etc, it is fine to name a place. But if a “local” talks about a place to visit , it should remain “secret”. In QLD at places like Inskip, over the years the number of campers allowed to stay in certain campsites has been reduced to allow for regeneration. And also restrictions for beach driving in certain areas. But at least we can still camp in these wonderful areas. Managing sites better is the way to go. And keeping these areas as low cost rather than free will help with management costs

[@pgoldys5534]

Abit of (We arnt the problem it’s them), truth of the matter is spots simply get overrun and get taken for granted.

[@mastrohip2669]

I can’t understand why they just can’t manage the numbers like they do over on the West coast particularly they do on the Ningaloo coast. Have a camp host and get the rangers to enforce the rules particularly on self containment and toilets on board. Maybe put a dump point a few kilometres back on the road to get in.

[@adamlindley4742]

Who's 'they"? A fair investment in people and infrastructure to manage a beach...

[@GrahamPetersen-j6r]

Well said guys i think it is the wrong doers the heart of the problem. may be more public policing filming and reporting to the authorities. Sad to say but this would make the wrong doers think twice. Education to these people is a waste of time. No respect.

[@JonoPaynter-l2v]

Hi from New Zealand. Yes another great video Sad to see camping spots closing down in Australia. It sounds like the are targeting the wrong people. You campers aren't the hoons it is the irresponsible 4wd's that are doing it. In NZ some of the beaches and rivers are closed to all vehicles you have to walk. Another content creator Bret and Mel have commented on the same thing and they saw a camper emptying their toilet cassette in the sand dunes. In NZ we have the NZ Motor Caravan Association google it up. To be a member of it you have to follow a strict code of conduct and you can be disciplined. They also have created some camp grounds but you have to be self contained. I have seen lots of Auzzie caravanning content creators complaining about rubbish left in a bad state in the camping grounds. yes we all have to look after the environment for the future. Good luck setting up an Australian camping authority. Maybe you have to be a registered camper like the number plate on vehicles which have rules. All the best for this year Jono P

[@rosevermeersch5140]

I feel Aus will eventually adopt similar ACCREDITATION legislation as NZ. Vehicles will require CERTIFICATION to register @ Free/WILD CAMPING sites. Similar to the requirements of Fishing Licenses, Park passes & Miners Rights. To be done out of necessity is a sad day for all.

[@sea_to_snow]

Victoria’s new booking system for free campsites is a disaster. The are fully booked out, however people are not turning up, or booking out spaces next them. The prom recently was fully booked out but only 1/4 full. The government needs to review this new system.

[@SueGolden]

Totally agree. Should be book and pay. This is happening in WA too.

[@bomax1066]

Need a system where people who book multiple sites on the same day are fined or banned for a period of time. It's so unfair on other campers

[@paulsparks560]

Totally agree with your comments, as you say, understanding the reasons of the ban, in the eyes of the Locals and Visitors. Other parts of Australia have a management plan in place to limit the numbers of campers, ( Exmouth) with strict rules in place of Do's and Don'ts, which I'm afraid is a must so to limit the minority of doing the wrong thing, Addind a fee onto the booking would also help pay for any system brought in. Looks like you may be talking yurself into a spokeman roll. 😂 Great Topic.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! I hope it’s not just talk and creates some action.

[@debbieharry-clarke2918]

When we were at York Peninsula in 2022, the councils increased the $10 a night for a very basic camp to $20 a night. Camping fees at National Parks on the York were increased from $10 to $34 a night. This was a new State Government that introduced those fees. We were there for 6 months and only during school holidays was it busy. There'll be no balance whilst there's councils and government with dislike towards tourism

[@ianmcgrath23]

Great video and a hot topic. A complete ban is a bit of an extreme solution. I don't understand why such a beautiful place is a free camp in the first place. People should pay for the privilege. Beach driving permit and a camping permit on top of that. Not only will this reduce the amount of people going but it will also pay for maintenance and extra staff needed to do those maintenance. Yeah, I get that the locals who've been going there for years will be upset but if you want to keep the place beautiful, it will come at a cost. It won't be that much anyway. I bet the locals would spend more of coffee and fishing tackle than they would on a yearly permit.

[@sallyhollis47]

Talk to the people who started Save our Summits (SOS). Exactly the same issues. They are great people to talks to - they have a fb page too.

[@DamoLawrie]

Your thumbnail is a somewhat ignorant statement. Because an area was closed for camping (because too many campers were doing the wrong thing) does not mean an area doesn't want tourists. The majority of the tourists that were using this beach as a campsite/dumpsite werent spending a dollar locally yet alone exploring a single other part of this region. Ive been living on Yorke Peninsula for over 20 years and there used to be hordes of tourists through my town every weekend in warmer months and long weekends, now we see probably 1 quarter of that if were lucky (I'm not a people person anyway so I prefer no tourists 😂) . Almost as many cars on the main highway but majority were concentrating on the social media hyped locations like wauraltee and not venturing anywhere else. Wauraltee only played a tourism role for people staying there not for the region as a whole. There's considerably better places to camp on yorke peninsula if people bothered to actually go looking and exploring, and personally if i never had the opportunity to camp on a beach again it wouldn't bother me in the least, slightest breeze and you're sandblasted, van/tent/swag etc is full of sand that never goes away. Nope... dirt or grass is a far superior campsite. The best part about Wauraltee as a beach is how suited it is as a day use beach. Rock up spend the day and get out before the winds send sand into all your crevices. Prevailing winds here are south-easterly to south-westerly meaning minimal chance of not copping the wind at wauraltee. Dont moan and cry because wauraltee has closed for camping, can still camp in the designated camp ground and spend the day on the beach, or could find a new campsite and spend the tourist dollar that hasnt been happening for the last 4 or so years.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Totally disagree with you. The whole way the ban has been structured gives a strong feeling of not wanting tourists to visit.

[@DamoLawrie]

Disagree all you want. I live in the area and the beach being trashed is the only reason it was closed for camping

[@DamoLawrie]

The council has plenty of campgrounds that are quite affordable all over the peninsula, why would they invest in setting them up if they didn't want tourism??? And wouldn't you know it one of those campgrounds is right at wauraltee beach, so you can still stay there and you can still drive down onto the beach and set up for the day and enjoy the beach... The most negative narrative around this closure is from the social media types. This is just 1 beach in SA that has been closed because visitors didn't do the right thing. All (may be 1 or 2 others recently closed ) other beaches in SA are crown land and open for public use just like wauraltee was so just go camping on one of them if you want to set up on a beach, all you lot need to do is not trash it and they'll remain open. Camping on a beach is not all rainbows and unicorns like it's made out to be. You're most likely to only have a few hours at best where the wind let's up, and extremely rarely a whole day where it's calm enough to enjoy it. Then you're gonna be cleaning sand out of your camper/van/tent/whatever for weeks to come as it gets everywhere. In all honesty it's one of those gimmicky things that the social media types like to use to get clicks and likes and only ever show how nice it is during the rare few moments where it's nice and calm. I'd give you lot more credibility if you showed the good with the bad but it rarely happens - hence why there's only a rare few Australian channels I follow. And yes I have beach camped before several times, not at wauraltee but some of them were close enough to wauraltee. Don't rate it, rather be in the campgrounds nearby and just day use the beaches.

[@adamnorton9701]

You need to email all these points to the sa government.

[@toesuptravelling]

We’re Yorke Peninsula locals and we’ve been out to Wauraltee a few times. I knew something was coming. Seen quite a few people camping in the beach take their cassettes up into the dunes and things like that. I figured it would get a system like Perlubie but never thought it’d get completely banned. It’s so bloody sad. Minlaton has been booming since and they’ve just upgraded their supermarket there no doubt on the back of the popularity of Wauraltee. Will be interesting to see how things change…

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Totally agree, it couldn't continue the way it was, especially with so many grubs doing that kind of thing. Sad to see it closed, hopefully they will reconsider.

[@reidsaussieadventures6837]

I agree limit the amount of people on beach with a booking system, and make it low cost camp. That way council can add dump point etc and maintain the dunes, wildlife etc. we live in Qld and would be deviated if this happened to Teewah Beach. Thank you for your insight and let’s hope someone with authority see’s sense here.

[@grahameroberts8109]

Deviated?

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yeah, it's a shame they're not considering other options.

[@jonnylroberts]

Thanks for another great video, Simon and Liz. Here's my two bob's worth as someone about to head off full time in a 4WD and van. We are all blessed with a vast, beautiful country and a small population. I can't imagine we'll ever run out of amazing places to camp, either for free or at low cost. - There will always be a few idiots that make it difficult for the rest of us. - Locals, i.e. at Waraltee Beach, have every right to be pissed that 'their ?' beach is being overrun. Imagine if you lived or retired there only to find a massive increase in visitors with little or no amenities. The local councils need to allow limited numbers of visitors to enjoy the area, but not to the detriment of locals. Perlumie Beach is a great example. - We all need to look after the environment, to enjoy now and for future generations. It's about responsible use of resources and consistently placing the environment first. It's why we all love camping: "The Great Outdoors." - A lobby group with a professional voice to Local, State, and Federal Governments makes a lot of sense. Let me know how I can help Simon.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments! We completely agree.

[@offcampnandy7727]

G'day Guys 🍺🍺🍺 I'm glad you have touched on this subject, the more attention it gets without any consultation will definitely mean more closures, Let's be real here 🤔🤔🤔" locations are being shut down simply because of bad practice !!! " I am grateful you have put your voice forward and delivered the topic in a sensible and meaningful way putting it out there for comment 👍👍👍 Keep the awesomeness coming 👍👍👍 cheers Andy 🍺🍺🍺

[@SMITHIE69]

agree with what you are saying ,as the cost of living a lot of families go camping in free or low cost camp grounds as there holidays as a family as they can't afford oversea trips or caravan parks (due to high cost ) as a Australian do we not want us Aussies to see and spend our money here then oversea ? the key is to clean up after your selfs make the booking system for easy management and we should be able to enjoy our own country .