‘Terrible decision’: K’gari travellers fume over dingo campground move

Popular beachfront campgrounds will be closed due to recent dingo attacks and interactions – and visitors aren’t happy.

Authorities have confirmed several popular campgrounds will be closed over one of K’gari’s most popular times of the year, much to the dismay of some travellers.

After a spate of dingo attacks and interactions, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science on Tuesday confirmed that three popular beachfront campgrounds will be closed on Thursday, remaining closed for the school holidays.

A statement from the department confirmed the news on Tuesday.

“Beachfront camping zones 3 (Poyungan and Winnam), 4 (Guluri and Eli) and 5 (Maheno and Wahba) will be closed from 17 August until further notice,” it read.

Three popular beachfront campgrounds in K'gari will be closed due to recent dingo attacks and interactions. Picture: Liam Kidston

These campsites will remain closed during the September school holidays.

There are plenty of alternative camping areas available, including beachfront camping zones 1 (Govi and Wongai), 2 (One Tree, Cornwells, Gabala) and 6 (Eugarie, Yurru and Guruman), or in the fenced camping areas at Eli, One Tree, Wongai and Cornwells on the eastern side of the island.”

It is unclear at this stage when they will reopen.

The statement also warned travellers who are able to secure a spot to avoid preparing or consuming food or sunbaking lying down in the Eli Creek and lakeshores areas.

The campsites will remain closed during the upcoming school holidays. Picture: Liam Kidston

“There have been a number of high-risk interactions between visitors and dingoes currently frequenting the area between Poyungan Rocks and The Pinnacles,” the department said.

“Rangers are closely monitoring the wongari (dingo) situation and will be conducting additional patrols and briefings in cooperative wongari management to educate visitors on dingo safety and awareness.

Visitors in the area are warned against preparing or consuming food in certain areas and to be aware of dingo safety and awareness.

According to the department, the closures align with the dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy, which aims to prevent further negative interactions and minimise dingo habituation.

Last Thursday, two women were attacked in separate incidents by the same pair of dingoes – the latest attacks in what has been a problematic year for human and dingo interactions on the famous island destination.

Tourist bitten in string of dingo attacks on K'gari (Fraser Island). Picture: Department of Environment and Science

The first happened about 11.45am when two dingoes approached a group of seven adults at Eli Creek, biting one woman on the thigh.

A short time later, another woman was bitten on the thigh after falling over.

Travellers forums have lit up online following the news of campground closures with concerns of “flow on effects” for K’gari and nearby businesses.

“Terrible decision … flow on effect to Rainbow Beach will be huge as well … lots of fuel and last minute supplies and even a humble coffee before heading over will be lost,” one said.

“Poor people booked in for school holidays,” added another.

Travellers forums have expressed concerns about the impact of the closures on nearby businesses and rebooking options for affected visitors. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I imagine there will be a huge scramble for those affected to rebook, and the flow-on effect to the island and surrounds will be profound,” another said.

“The camping areas left available will be packed,” said another.

Others, however, backed the department’s plan.

“Dingoes are being blamed for human behaviour and intervention – (that’s) not right,” one said.

“It’s dingoes territory, and humans need to learn how to coexist with them,” said another.