Popular campsite closed over concerns Aboriginal site, artefacts impacted by camping activities

A popular campground has been slammed shut for weeks after concerns were raised about ancient nearby artefacts.

A popular campsite has been shut over concerns an Aboriginal site and its artefacts were impacted by recreational activities.

A popular campsite renowned for its surf beach and coastal walking trails has been closed over concerns an Aboriginal site and its artefacts were impacted by camping activities.

Bear Gully Campground, located within the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park south of Melbourne, has been closed until May 7 by the state government’s peak body for the management of National Parks, Parks Victoria.

Beach access to the campsite has also been blocked.

The sudden closures comes after advice that camping and recreational activities within the park may have impacted an Aboriginal place and its artefacts.

Bear Gully Campground is a popular site south of Melbourne. Picture: Supplied / Parks Victoria

“Parks Victoria is working with First Peoples – State Relations (FP-SR) to investigate and assess potential impacts on cultural heritage at this site,” a public notice on the Bear Gully Campground website states.

NCA NewsWire understands the site has been closed to prevent any further potential harm to Indigenous cultural values at the site.

Refunds have been offered to people who have bookings at the site.

A Parks Victoria spokeswoman said the organisation was taking a “precautionary approach” after advice from Victoria’s First Peoples – State Relations. Picture: Supplied / Parks Victoria

A Parks Victoria spokeswoman said the organisation was taking a “precautionary approach” to the situation.

“We thank visitors and the community for their patience and compliance with the closure while we assess,” the spokeswoman said.

Overlooking Wilsons Promontory, the Bear Gully camping area is renowned for its unpatrolled surf beach suitable for “rockpooling, fishing, surfing and coastal walks”, according to the Parks Victoria website.

Seventeen of the 34 campsites can be used by campervans, caravans or trailers.

Originally published as Popular campsite closed over concerns Aboriginal site, artefacts impacted by camping activities