Rainbow Beach

Its a shame to hear that Mick, although not a great suprise. I'm headed for the North Shore in a week, I hope Richard and his mates have thinned out by then, although I cant imagine it will be too different. None the less, I'm looking forward to it, hopefully the North Shore wont be as crazy.

Mark

Try Rules Beach - fishing, crabbing, isolated - little bit further though - it's the go.

Not sure about current conditions but Woodgate used to be a good spot. Rocked on down and threw up a tent years ago, before I knew you had to book a spot. Down in a bit of a depression. Sudden storm and we were floating. No wonder that "spot" wasn't booked. I got out and dug trenches around the tent.
Found the ranger friendly and helpful, the turtles were nesting and there were fish in the water. Great stuff.

Hi Mick,

If you can find any beach sites this time of year with a population less than a couple of thousand people, please let me know. We were up at Rainbow last Christmas so I know exactly what you are talking about. How anyone can turn their vehicles around on Inskip Point is beyond me. It looked like people had simply tied their tents to each other because I am pretty sure there wasn't enough room for any pegs between them.
But with all this taken into consideration, it is great to see families out there enjoying the outdoors. It is unfortunate though that the Richard Craniums still have to try to out do one another regardless of those around them.
I did see a special on the Great South East show yesterday about a beach at Baffle Creek up north. It looked pretty secluded and a nice place to stay. Sorry I didnt grab the name (I was in the middle of another siesta) but you can get on their website for it.
Cheers

From: www.couriermail.com.au

Beach brawls spark curbs
Brian Williams
02jan06 THE State Government is poised for a 4WD and camping clampdown
on some of southeast Queensland's most popular beaches.

It comes after a wild, booze-fuelled night, during which a New Year's
brawl at crowded Inskip Point opposite Fraser Island involved about 50
campers.

Knives, tent poles and golf clubs were used in the fight, which ended up
with two men being taken to hospital.

A police spokeswoman said the brawl broke out soon after midnight when a
group of youths started fighting among themselves.

The fracas spread, with other campers joining in. One man has been
charged with going armed in public to cause fear and another may be
charged.

Violence also occurred on North Stradbroke Island when a police officer
was assaulted as he tried to get people arguing near the Point Lookout
Hotel to go home.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will cut back on Inskip Point
camping numbers by 25 to 50 per cent in an effort to relieve tensions,
address safety issues and reduce impacts.

To the south, 4WDs will be banned from southern parts of the Noosa North
Shore and vehicle access fees likely to be more than $100 a year will be
introduced.

It will bring the Cooloola Coast in line with Fraser, Green, Moreton and
Bribie islands, where access fees range from $100 to $175.

QPWS southern Queensland director Terry Harper said yesterday's brawl
was symptomatic of problems at Inskip Point where four camping areas had
overflowed.

About 3000 camped there at Christmas although Easter was busier.

Regular camper and Gympie resident David Gibson said he estimated there
were about 4000 when those in unregulated bush and dune camps were counted.

Mr Harper said overcrowding was due to the southeast Queensland
population boom and a jump in 4WD ownership.

"Thirty years ago they would get 5000 people a year to Fraser . . . now
they get 350,000 a year . . . people now go to Inskip because they
reckon Fraser is too crowded."

"We've reached the point where numbers have exceeded physical capacity
and facilities. In terms of a pleasant experience for family campers,
it's just too crowded," Mr Harper said.

Noosa Mayor Bob Abbott said it was not safe to walk on Teewah and
Cooloola beaches. "Five years ago I was camped up there and I could read
a newspaper on the beach at night, there were so many headlights," Cr
Abbott said.

He said fees would be used to build facilities such as toilets, parking
areas and to improve beach access due to high numbers of inexperienced
4WD owners becoming bogged.

A spokeswoman for acting Environment Minister John Mickel said fees had
not yet gone to Cabinet.

Mr Gibson said there was no need to introduce fees, nor to cut back on
camping.

He expected about 1000 people to join a rally against camping cutbacks
at Inskip Point today