Campers, travellers urged to ‘be nice’ on long weekend

With thousands of campers expected to travel to the Lower South West this Easter long weekend, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – Parks and Wildlife Service staff are urging visitors to consider others in the peak time.

Last week the department advised that all of its bookable camp sites across WA were at capacity for the long weekend and urged those hoping to snag first-come-first-served sites to ensure they had a back-up plan.

Donnelly district parks and visitor services coordinator David Meehan said all the 200 sites available between Manjimup and the South Coast were non-bookable and were likely to be full come Friday, March 30.

“People come in as early as Wednesday or Thursday,” he said.

“There might be still some camp sites available on Friday, but by Friday night it’s just about all full.”

With the complete fire-ban still in place across the district, Mr Meehan said gas cookers and barbecues were the best option.

“There’s no camp fires at all, even in our supplied fire rings,” he said.

With rangers out and about over the long weekend, Mr Meehan reminded people to adhere to signage and regulations regarding fires, pets, rubbish and designated camping areas.

“Expect to see a ranger,” he said.

Mr Meehan asked holiday makers to show patience and “common courtesy”.

“Just slow down, because you’re going to meet people at every bend and every corner of every road,” he said.