McMahons Point: Push to stop Sydney Harbour car pictures at popular harbour site

Instagrammers and car salesmen are the chief suspects for a rise in the number of cars tearing up the turf at one of Sydney Harbour’s most impressive foreshore parks.

Instagrammers and car salesmen are believed to be the prime suspects for rising numbers of cars ripping up the turf at one of Sydney Harbour’s most impressive foreshore parks.

Residents on the lower north shore are calling on North Sydney Council to take action to stop cars turning prime green space alongside McMahons Point ferry wharf into a “boggy, muddy expanse”.

Long-term local Robert Stitt said the issue had been exacerbated during this year’s record rainfall which had caused grooves caused by tyre marks to spill over with water and flood.

“The site has perhaps the most famous iconic view of Australia looking over the harbour, the bridge and the Opera House, and there are lots of tourists and locals who go down there purely for the views,” he said.

“People now drive on to the foreshore area which is just grass and park their cars and take photographs for the backdrop or to have a nice photo to sell their cars.

“The recent rains have chopped it all up and it’s just become a muddy heap.

Cars have turned the area into a “mess”, residents say.

“When it rains the mud is ankle deep and it removes for public use an area that should be iconic and readily available for all.”

Fellow resident Bernard Smith said he had also spotted a rising number of e-scooters and ‘trikes’ – similar to a motorcycle but with a bench seat for two people – parking on the grass for picture-perfect moments.

David Johnstone with a Nissan Skyline at McMahons Point. Picture: Instagram/supplied

He is among the locals now calling on the council to take measures such as installing bollards or sandstone blocks to prohibit motorists driving on the greens.

“There are lots of tourists and locals who go down there and the way it is now looks terrible – as soon as you get off the ferry it’s an eyesore,” he said.

“Maybe the council needs to look at putting new drainage in – something needs to be done.”

David Johnstone – a car photographer based in Parramatta – said he always respects the site when taking snaps on the grass.

“We always respect the area and don’t drive around like a maniac or leave behind tyre marks,” he said.

A photo of car damage at McMahons Point

“It’s a really popular area for photos and when we got there the other night there was already a photo shoot happening and tyre marks so I don’t think we added to it.

“Because of the views, people are drawn to it. When we were looking for locations for photos, I researched a few different spots and McMahons was the top one people talk people about the most.”

Sydney car photographer Paul Dambra – who is not responsible for the damage – said the area was an attractive location for car enthusiasts.

A photo of the tyre damage.

“I always take photos from the roadway – there aren’t many places like that around Sydney where you can get the view of the harbour and also sunset photos as well,” he said.

“Some of my clients have asked for shots of the harbour in the background when they’re selling cars – you also have your enthusiasts who’ve had old cars restored or modified.

“There are young kids too who’ve done cars up and want photos with it, and also ‘van life’ people who park on that road to make it look like they’re camped in the area.

“It’s one of those spots where you can make a photo look like whatever you want.”

Kym Moulds – who owns Trike Trips – said he sometimes takes his clients to McMahons Point but attributed damage in the area to cars, not trikes.

A photo of the site.

“The impact trikes has is bugger all – we certainly don’t go down there to do wheelies or burnouts,” he said.

“We’re only starting to bounce back now after being ravaged by Covid and we only go take people down there very occasionally.”

The North Shore Times has seen numerous sale ads of cars pictured at McMahons Point and contacted several dealerships, who declined to comment.

North Sydney Council said it was in the process of installing anti-car measures along with landscaping works to stop ongoing damage.

“From time to time, cars mount the gutter along Blues Point Reserve to get a photo of their vehicle with the bridge and Opera House in the background. This compacts the soil which contributes to the difficulty of growing grass in the area,” a spokeswoman said.

“Council is looking at installing sandstone blocks along the edge of the reserve to stop cars driving onto the grass.”

“We are hoping these works can be completed when the landscaping work is done in the central area of the reserve where the Metro site shed has been.”

The council spokeswoman said drainage issues at the site were also caused by backwash from ferrys splashing water over the seawall onto the grass.