Overnight camping to be banned on Wauraltee Beach, on the Yorke Peninsula

A rise in popularity of off-road vehicles and social media users promoting free campsites has led to environmental and safety concerns on a popular regional SA beach.

An exponential boom of caravanners and campers staying overnight on a popular Yorke Peninsula beach is creating environmental and safety concerns, leading to a ban.

From February 3, the state government will stop overnight camping on Wauraltee Beach, including the area known as Second Beach, near Port Victoria.

Large camping vehicles, such as caravans, will be banned from the beach at any time during the day or night, however daytime access for other vehicles will remain.

A rise in popularity of off-road vehicles and social media users promoting free campsites had seen “300 lined up” on one evening, according to Yorke Peninsula mayor Darren Braund.

“In the last few years with so many more off-road vehicles, there are hundreds of vehicles camping there overnight, particularly during the peak times, ” Mr Braund said.

“I’ve seen photos of at least 300 lined up and the problem being there’s no toilet facilities and also the effects on the environment.

Yorke Peninsula Mayor Darren Braund. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve tried to reflect the community’s concern in supporting the ban on overnight camping.

“We have to balance the importance of tourism with protecting the environment and it’s a balance we have to try and get right.”

National Parks programs director Jason Irving said camping vehicles in “mass numbers” threatened shorebirds and damaged vegetation and cultural sites.

“There is no intention to ban all vehicles from all beaches. This is about finding a balance between visitor enjoyment and the need to protect native flora and fauna,” he said.

“The new rules for vehicle access at Wauraltee Beach seek to ensure its environmental values are protected, while allowing people to enjoy ... boating and fishing.

“Wauraltee Beach is a special place but it will not stay that way for future generations if it is constantly damaged by a mass number of vehicles.”

The ban was supported by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and the Yorke Peninsula Council, which has 19 designated sites as bush campgrounds.

The government said educating drivers of the change would be rangers’ first priority.

The government is currently reviewing the impact of vehicles on environmental areas, such as beaches.

Cars are allowed on Sellicks Beach and Silver Sands, south of Adelaide, Goolwa Beach, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island, Long beach and Little Dip Conservation Park in the South-East, The Coorong, and Wallaroo and Parsons Beach on the Yorke Peninsula.

Several beaches along the Eyre Peninsula allow driving, including within the Lincoln and Coffin Bay national parks and Fowlers Bay Conservation Park.

Originally published as Overnight camping to be banned on Wauraltee Beach, on the Yorke Peninsula