Overnight camper sparks outrage at Qld tourism hotspot

A viral photo from the carpark of a Queensland tourist hotspot has spark outrage online, with locals calling for councils to “get some teeth”.

The image of an L-plater parked at the Woods Bay carpark in Noosa drew criticism over a tourist allegedly flouting parking restrictions.

The Mazda hatchback is parked with a large rooftop tent spread over two parking spaces, with cars parked on either side.

Noosa local Martin, who posted the photo, said the carpark was filling early on Sunday morning despite new rules around long-stay parking.

“Come on council get some teeth and get serious about this camping illegally business,” he said.

“This was not the only one overnight camping in the area and clearly not homeless.”

Other locals vented frustration over carparks “looking like a caravan park” early in the morning as they teemed with overnight campers.

“It’s turning into a shanty town down there. Worst of all is the human excrement they leave behind,” said one person.

Another added: “There is plenty of free camp sites and cheap camp grounds if they bother to look on the right apps”.

Noosa Shire Council introduced a “no-parking” trial in August 2023 aimed at combating illegal camping at Noosa Woods.

Under the program, a no-parking area is declared in the area each night from 10pm-4am.

At the time, Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart said the trial was in response to a surge in complaints from the community about travellers in vans camping illegally overnight.

“Last year we received 434 complaints about illegal camping. This year we’ve already surpassed 400 complaints with five months still to go,” she said.

Despite stirring outrage, the motorist was not without supporters, with many online pointing out the “exorbitant” fees levelled at non-powered camping sites.

“Remember when people use to travel down the coast for a surf and sleep in their car and not have to pay someone an exorbitant fee,” one user said.

Another added: “Why don’t you have a pop at the council for charging an absurd amount per night for a non-powered site at the caravan park?”

Many were quick to point out it was not clear the person was not homeless and that there was a history of transient surf culture in Noosa and other surfside towns.

Clashes between locals and penny-pinching tourists is a longstanding issue at tourism meccas up and down the coast, from southern NSW to Far North Queensland.

Generally, overnight camping in prohibited in carparks across the country, from major cities to regional towns and national parks, unless clearly marked otherwise.

Nonetheless, areas like Horseshoe Beach carpark in Newcastle, north of Sydney, are routinely frequented by overnight campers despite prohibitions from local council.

Despite pushback from councils on camping, the Noosa region attracted a whopping two million visitors in 2022 alone, bringing in a record $1.7bn for the local economy.