A photo of a family at a popular tourist hotspot has sparked outrage after being shared online by a bushwalker who spotted the scene over the weekend.
An infuriating bushwalking act has Aussies fuming.
A photo shows a family of at least five sprawled out over a viewing platform at Victoria’s Wilsons Promontory National Park, so much so, the photographer says nobody else could access it.
“This family taking up an entire sightseeing platform so nobody else can take photos,” the man who took the photo explained.
“It’s a long weekend, so Wilsons Promontory was very busy. A lot of people missed out on great photos and views because these people wanted it for themselves.”
The man, who took the snap before going on a hike with friends, said others were also upset with the family.
“As I walked past, a guy said, ‘That’s just f***ing rude,’” the bushwalker said.
Known for its dunes, beaches and blue waters, granite mountains and abundant wildlife like kangaroos and wombats, the national park on the southernmost point of mainland Australia is a popular weekend getaway for Victorians and a major drawcard for adventurous interstate and international visitors.
Parks Victoria said the area gets “extremely busy over summer”, forcing limits on the number of cars in the park.
Wilsons Promontory National Park is the southernmost point of mainland Australia and a major drawcard for visitors.
Despite this, the family chose to sprawl.
One local, who claimed to frequent the park, said the scene was par for the course.
“I’ve seen this happen before. I walked up and took photos,” they said.
“They then realised they were in the way, apologised, moved a little and we had a chat about the weather. People do dumb sh*t all the time without taking into consideration other people.”
Plenty suggested the bushwalker should have just taken the photo regardless.
Better yet, another said: “As conflict-avoidant as I am, I’d have no problem walking up to them and saying, “Excuse me, could you take our picture?”
The man fired back at criticism of his photo, explaining he was in a rush as the hike was four hours long and there were limited bus shuttles back.
The Big Drift at Wilsons Prom. Picture: Lauren Bath
Others suggested the family’s act warranted a call to the ranger.
“This is what park rangers are paid for. You call them up like the police and they come and fix the problem,” one person claiming to be a former ranger said.
“You’d think they’d have bigger fish to fry, but honestly, they are more than happy to give these people a talking to and an escort out.”
Another added: “The Parks Victoria call centre is manned every day except Christmas and there’s also a direct Wilsons Prom line to talk to the staff at the campsite.
“More than likely they would send the rangers up there to talk to the group as it can be a safety risk if they’re deemed to be blocking the path at all.”
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