Bushwalk Australia

The draft master plan for the Wattamolla area of the Royal National Park has been released -> http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkm ... r-plan.htm

The plan includes an online booking system for parking, reintroduction of camping, and other commercial activities such as a new kiosk (there used to be one a long time ago) and a zip-line over the cliffs and lagoon.

There is an article on the plan here -> http://www.theleader.com.au/story/38297 ... e/?cs=1507

Arguably Wattamolla, and indeed the Royal National Park, fell victim to its own popularity a long time ago, and while commercial activities are nothing new in National Parks, the addition of zip-line type rides raises questions of what level of commercial activities should take place in these areas. As debated ad nauseam…

You have to book a parking space before you go? Wow, this world is seriously screwed up!

north-north-west wrote:You have to book a parking space before you go? Wow, this world is seriously screwed up!

Current parking situation necessitate that. In the recent past and on weekends, the parking in Wattamolla gets filled by mid-morning and there'll be ranger directing vehicles away from the turn-off. It's just that popular. At least with booking, there won't be further expansion of the development, leading to further degradation of the environment. It's a necessary balance I'd support it.

Sounds like a sensible plan to ameliorate the human impacts in what really is a spectacular natural location. The idea of walkers on the Coast Track being able to camp there is a good one, but how you would police that would seem to be problematic - I imagine lots of day trippers would like to spend a weekend there.

north-north-west wrote:You have to book a parking space before you go? Wow, this world is seriously screwed up!

Local (Princes Highway / Motorway) variable message signage often says "Royal National Park parking full" or similar. It's very popular with families and groups. Summer Sundays and Public Holidays in particular. Quiet amazing!

It's only proposed for peak days as well.

Hughmac wrote:Sounds like a sensible plan to ameliorate the human impacts in what really is a spectacular natural location. The idea of walkers on the Coast Track being able to camp there is a good one, but how you would police that would seem to be problematic - I imagine lots of day trippers would like to spend a weekend there.

The reason that the smaller campground to the south was closed (the one near the creek) was that it was used as a party place because it was only a short walk from Wattamolla. Camping at Wattamolla could be restricted by requiring that campers were completing the coast walk. That is difficult to check perfectly but they could determine if people had backpacking equipment. Eskies are a giveaway. Disallowing overnight parking at Wattamolla would also be fairly effective.

The main problem is that NPWS is unlikely to allocate funds for enforcement which means that people will do what they like.

As long as there are no drunks and loud parties.

The campsite was always reserved for Coast walkers in the past. When you booked the site you got a tag for your tent which could be checked by a ranger if there happened to be one around. I am not entirely sure but I think they even used to lock the gates at night. I have been fortunate enough to walk it when it the area was not too busy but a summer weekend would be a bit more than I could handle. Some kind of plan to control things would be appropriate.