An east coast street that’s become a famed tourist attraction for being “Australia’s most beautiful” is also quickly becoming known for another reason — the rising number of parking fines being handed out as travellers flock to visit the spot.
Tasman Drive in Gerringong, NSW, which overlooks Werri Beach, has become a social media magnet, particularly on TikTok and Instagram in recent years.
But the street’s online popularity has brought a steady increase in traffic, with visitors stopping to take photos.
In recent months, residents have spoken out about the influx, saying locals and tourists continue to clash over parking real estate.
Council has also received complaints about visitors requesting to use residents’ bathrooms and kitchens, with some incidents involving people relieving themselves in front yards.
Now, it’s ramping up controls.
“Council increased its parking compliance team last November, which has resulted in a rise in infringements being issued,” a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
“We have received extensive community feedback asking for parking compliance issues in the LGA to be addressed.”
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Visitors are regularly seen spilling onto the street and trampling over nature strips.
(Harsh Gagneja)Influx of crowds leads to spike in parking fines
According to the Kiama Council, the rising number of visitors has also led to a sharp rise in parking enforcement activity.
Since January 2025, 37 parking infringement notices have been issued on Tasman Drive, totalling more than $12,000 in fines.
In the 12 months before that, no fines were issued at all.
Residents say traffic has skyrocketed on a once-quiet Gerringong street that’s become popular on social media.
(Instagram/danny_1018/steven_wu21)
Council papers from last month’s council meeting show compliance officers have been regularly monitoring the street over the past year, attending twice daily on weekdays and several times a day on weekends.
Will parking be restricted on Tasman Drive?
With no formal on-street parking restrictions in place, infringements have largely related to offences such as blocking driveways, obstructing footpaths and double parking.
“Council’s compliance officers have issued countless verbal warnings for not parallel parking or not parking in the direction of travel,” council papers said, The Illawarra Mercury reported.
Three women pose on the reserve next to Tasman Drive.
(Source: Virginia De Lutti)
“Visitors to the area have been reminded to adhere to NSW Road Rules and refrain from standing, or in some instances lying down, in the middle of Tasman Drive to take photos for social media.”
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The council spokesperson said the next step is to conduct door-knocking of residents in the coming weeks before deciding “whether to pursue a traffic study or change parking regulations.”
“Kiama Council welcomes visitors to our LGA, and we are well aware of the spike in tourism numbers to Tasman Drive in Gerringong over the past year,” they said
“There is no definitive data on its effect on local business, but anecdotal evidence from local business owners suggests it has had a positive influence.
“We ask that any visitors treat the area with respect, particularly private property, and exercise caution when taking photos of the scenery, including at Tasman Drive, which is a public thoroughfare.”
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