The Coast Track - booked out AUS day weekend

[Tantell]

Oh no! I have been planning to do the Coast walk on the Saturday/Sunday of the Australia weekend, but have left it too late to book and is sold out! Is there anyone on here that has a booking that cannot make it now?

I need 1 tent/2 adults as I have convinced my wife to come on her first overnight walk.

Cheers
Shaun

[kanangra]

Stealth camping?

[puredingo]

Booking to walk in the bush!!! Never have I heard such a ridiculous notion. This is still Australia right?...Just go mate, I give you permission.

[Turfa]

Booking to walk in the bush!!! Never have I heard such a ridiculous notion. This is still Australia right?...Just go mate, I give you permission.

No, you are booking a campsite...... You can walk it as a day hike whenever you want. It is a beautiful walk & would be spoiled by crowds if there was no booking system.
I'ts hardly an unusual arrangement for a high use track

The Coast track is a great idea for a first time overnighter..... It's a shame it might not work out. As a back-up have you thought about another option like the Mt Solitary traverse ? I have used it as an intro overnight walk in the past & it has always worked well with first timers. It is an easy distance, has some really great views and some fun scrambling up the knife edge.

[Tantell]

Sorry I should've been a bit clearer- the booking is for the campsite not the walk itself. We will go another weekend as one of the requirements was to have beach nearby. I also checked around patonga and bouddi - I didn't realize how popular it is!

[waylow]

Hi all first post on this forum.
Just a heads up as to the current state of the coast walk. Did it in 5 1/2 hrs on Friday Dec 27. I must say how disapointed in people I am. There was a LOT of toilet paper and feaces stewn everywhere, in particular at Marley lagoon. Some younger guys were camping the previous night at Little Marley with cheap tents which clearly didnt hold to to the night weather. These along with their three or four tubs of rubbish most likely will still be there.
The toilet blocks at Era campground have been demolished and replaced with porta loos. Wasnt too keen to check them out! I still would not be very keen to drink water anywhere near there!
There is track work underway repairing the badly eroded southern sections with a new style composite grate walkway which is much better to walk on than the steel type at the northern end.
Just thought I would let you know as Im sute you wouldnt want your wife to be turned off by the lazy fithy habits of others!

[perfectlydark]

Bouddi books out often. Lovely camping though

[ninjapuppet]

5.5 hrs? you must be one hell of a fast walker!
Takes me 3 hrs to just run it

[Strider]

Booking to walk in the bush!!! Never have I heard such a ridiculous notion. This is still Australia right?...Just go mate, I give you permission.

You've obviously never heard of the Overland Track then. Shame, it's a beautiful part of the world.

[grantw]

I camped at North Era last weekend and while chatting with a few other walkers there came to the conclusion that I was the only one who had booked so it seems to be a rule more honored in the breach. They only take 12 bookings a night before it's full, but there is a lot of room.

There is also reasonably civilized composting toilet up the end of the campground.

[perfectlydark]

If theres limited camping best to honor the rule. Adds funds to the park, plus if its unexpededly crowded you have the right to be there, not the freeloaders. No idea how id personally broach the topic at camp though!

[Allchin09]

Grantw - Is the composting toilet permanent, or does it look like a portaloo? The last pit toilet there had to be pulled down after it was filled with peoples rubbish...

[waylow]

5.5 hrs? you must be one hell of a fast walker!
Takes me 3 hrs to just run it

Thats what my gps said our travelling time was. Had two breaks of about 5 min and 15 mins each. We started at 615 am to try and beat the heat and the crowds. Didnt stop to take in too much scenery as I have done the walk before.
The only toilets I saw at Era was a blue portaloo

[climberman]

Hi all first post on this forum.
Just a heads up as to the current state of the coast walk. Did it in 5 1/2 hrs on Friday Dec 27. I must say how disapointed in people I am. There was a LOT of toilet paper and feaces stewn everywhere, in particular at Marley lagoon. Some younger guys were camping the previous night at Little Marley with cheap tents which clearly didnt hold to to the night weather. These along with their three or four tubs of rubbish most likely will still be there.
The toilet blocks at Era campground have been demolished and replaced with porta loos. Wasnt too keen to check them out! I still would not be very keen to drink water anywhere near there!
There is track work underway repairing the badly eroded southern sections with a new style composite grate walkway which is much better to walk on than the steel type at the northern end.
Just thought I would let you know as Im sute you wouldnt want your wife to be turned off by the lazy fithy habits of others!

Did the walk yesterday, in a northerly direction. The large accumulation of rubbish that was there around Chrissy at both little Marley and Garie has been removed. The two portaloos are still at North Era. Looks like they are constructing a platform for a lo up the back to the S.

[grantw]

Grantw - Is the composting toilet permanent, or does it look like a portaloo? The last pit toilet there had to be pulled down after it was filled with peoples rubbish...

Yes it's permanent, it's north of the camp ground - slightly obscured by some palms. Under no circumstances use the portaloos

[clarence]

In years gone by one required a "bush camping permit" to camp in the Royal NP.

After obtaining permits for my first few years of walking there, I realised it was bureaucratic nonsense, and then never obtained one since. I camped there so many times over fifteen years, without any problem. Never saw anyone else camping, except at the established/authorised campsites.

There are so many out of the way, amazing campsites in Royal NP, where one could camp for days on end with no problem whatsoever. The rangers would never come looking unless you did something really stupid. I guy I know lived in a cave there only a few hundred metres from one of the most highly used tracks. He lived for months- had his camp/cooking fires late at night when no one was in the area to smell the smoke.

My advice is to camp away from the grubby NPWS authorised sites- well away from any track, road, lookout or other facility, and be inconspicuous- and you wont have a problem.

If they ask why you have such a big pack tell them you're training for the Anapurna Circuit or Overland Track or something. The current arrangement is typical NPWS bureaucracy gone mad, written by some desk jockey who has never even been inside a tent.

If you want info on some very easy to find camp spots near the coast track PM me.

Clarence

[Tantell]

Clarence- that's a good point. I was trying to look on the Net- does anyone have a link or know the actual legislation about bush camping in NSW national parks? Apologies- I'm sure it has come up before somewhere

Shaun

[clarence]

As far as i am aware, It is the "regulations" for the National Parks and Wildlife Act (rather than the "legislation" of the National Parks and Wildlife Act itself) that deal with many matters like camping, fires, domestic animals etc in National Parks generally in NSW.

However, in this case it is probably a matter that comes under the Plan of Management for the specific park (Royal National Park P.O.M.). i.e. the Royal N.P. P.O.M. would specifically address camping in that park in this specific case. When a P.O.M. for any given park or reserve is accepted by the Minister (for the Environment) it would then be the document which would determine how the matter of camping is dealt with specifcally.

Did I mention something about "desk jockeys".

Clarence

[puredingo]

In years gone by one required a "bush camping permit" to camp in the Royal NP.

After obtaining permits for my first few years of walking there, I realised it was bureaucratic nonsense, and then never obtained one since. I camped there so many times over fifteen years, without any problem. Never saw anyone else camping, except at the established/authorised campsites.

There are so many out of the way, amazing campsites in Royal NP, where one could camp for days on end with no problem whatsoever. The rangers would never come looking unless you did something really stupid. I guy I know lived in a cave there only a few hundred metres from one of the most highly used tracks. He lived for months- had his camp/cooking fires late at night when no one was in the area to smell the smoke.

My advice is to camp away from the grubby NPWS authorised sites- well away from any track, road, lookout or other facility, and be inconspicuous- and you wont have a problem.

If they ask why you have such a big pack tell them you're training for the Anapurna Circuit or Overland Track or something. The current arrangement is typical NPWS bureaucracy gone mad, written by some desk jockey who has never even been inside a tent.

If you want info on some very easy to find camp spots near the coast track PM me.

Clarence

Yep, this post basically sums up my feelings and experiences on the matter perfectly. I wasn't going to bother arguing the point with perfectlydark about emptying into the coffers of the NPWS as that is personal choice...A choice, if you grew up in the area, takes carefull consideration.

I honestly couldn't tell you how many times I've camped at Era or surrounds but it was most weekends and more for near 15 years and I can tell you not once did I ever book a site. This wasn't in an attempt to flaunt the rules or a rebellious stand, to the locals it just wasn't done? We clean the place on "clean up Australia day", police the poachers who strip clean any sea life lucky enough to cling to a an exposed rock and save the odd life from fallen walkers/poor swimmers.

If you want to extract a fee out of free loaders then charge the fitness camps who use the track and actually profit it from the area.

[michael_p]

...have a link...about bush camping...

Page 52 of the RNP/Heathcote/Garawarra PoM deals with camping: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomFinalRoyalGarawarraHeathcote.pdf

As far a I understand each PoM deals with camping in each NP, then again I could be wrong.

[perfectlydark]

Sorry dingo actually I have a similar point of view, sort of. If its a busy track and you plan on camping at an official campsite then out of respect for other walkers its really fair to book. If not go for your life. God knows I dont support filling govt coffers for the sake of it! We just came at it from different angles is all

[robertoman]

don't tell anyone, but I had a lovely overnight walk last year. Bundeena along Coast Track and quietly camped at Garrawarra and watched a giant electrical storm off in the distance. Filled up with water from tiny Ranger Hut just past Burning Palms before heading through Palm Jungle Arrived about 5.30pm, out by 7.30am, not a soul in sight. Wandered back through Curra Moors. Heard koalas roaring away at dusk which was brilliant.

[abigakoalabear]

I had no idea one needed to book for this, and it would appear it is now 'full' for the week a group of us are keen to do this. Based on suggestions from a couple of people, we were going to just camp anyway at North Era as the grounds are supposedly fairly big - but your idea to just camp away sounds even better. Are you able to send me some details on this?

Thanks very much

In years gone by one required a "bush camping permit" to camp in the Royal NP.

After obtaining permits for my first few years of walking there, I realised it was bureaucratic nonsense, and then never obtained one since. I camped there so many times over fifteen years, without any problem. Never saw anyone else camping, except at the established/authorised campsites.

There are so many out of the way, amazing campsites in Royal NP, where one could camp for days on end with no problem whatsoever. The rangers would never come looking unless you did something really stupid. I guy I know lived in a cave there only a few hundred metres from one of the most highly used tracks. He lived for months- had his camp/cooking fires late at night when no one was in the area to smell the smoke.

My advice is to camp away from the grubby NPWS authorised sites- well away from any track, road, lookout or other facility, and be inconspicuous- and you wont have a problem.

If they ask why you have such a big pack tell them you're training for the Anapurna Circuit or Overland Track or something. The current arrangement is typical NPWS bureaucracy gone mad, written by some desk jockey who has never even been inside a tent.

If you want info on some very easy to find camp spots near the coast track PM me.

Clarence

[ULWalkingPhil]

I'm keen to know if there's any our of the way, hidden from view spot I can setup my hammock next time I'm down that way, I hate having to cart a Tent with me on my travels just for the one night.

[kanangra]

Mate Little Marley would be perfect. Nestled in behind the beach.

K.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Mate Little Marley would be perfect. Nestled in behind the beach.

K.

Thanks kanangra

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[hairyfoots]

Camped at Curracurrang recently with no disturbance by rangers, even though I was a dolt and didn't realise we'd camped right on the path to the falls, until several groups of people walked up and down past us! You could easily put your hammock in a more hidden spot than what we used. Little Marley would be very nice, I just picked Curracurrang as it's close to the midpoint of the track.