Video footage has captured “ridiculous” scenes at a popular tourist destination, proving the school holidays are well and truly underway.
Families eager for a break were greeted with a different kind of chaos at 5am on Saturday while trying to board the ferry to K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island.
Footage posted online shows dozens of four-wheel drives equipped with tents and fishing poles lined up at Inskip Point, with the queue stretching all the way to the main road.
Traffic appeared to be at a standstill, prompting some drivers to hop out of their vehicles and have a sticky beak at the long wait ahead.
Thousands of people are expected to visit K’gari during the spring school holidays, with more than 7300 campers already booked, according to Queensland’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).
The influx of visitors is expected to boost the region’s $565 million tourism industry.
And while many Aussies took to social media to share their excitement about joining the crowds, others declared they “couldn’t think of anything worse”.
“The definition of defeating the purpose. Best of luck to ya, but not for me,” one person commented on the video.
“Let’s go away for the holidays, pack your house into the car, drive for hours and set up all your s**t right next to someone. Awesome,” another said sarcastically.
Someone else said they had returned the same morning on the 9am ferry and counted 119 vehicles in the queue.
However, not everyone was horrified by the swarm of cars and people.
“The only place I’d be happy to be in a traffic jam. Take [in] the scenery people, you’re not late for work, you’re already in paradise. Chill,” one Aussie encouraged.
Authorities issue warning to families
Authorities are urging families heading to K’gari for the school holidays to be safe and be mindful of the dingoes that call the island home.
People should stay 20 metres away from the wild animals and keep their children within arm’s reach.
Tourists should also avoid running or jogging, as it can trigger their instinct to chase, and should always walk in groups.
In January, Canadian tourist Piper James drowned after sustaining injuries from a dingo attack during an early morning solo swim.
Feeding or interacting with dingoes can also attract problems, as well as a hefty fine.
The maximum fine for feeding or disturbing a dingo on the island is $28,495. Minimum on-the-spot fines are $2763.
The maximum fine for failing to store food properly, or leaving scraps unburied, is $6908, with minimum on-the-spot fines of $518.
Rangers will be on the ground throughout the school holiday period.
QPWS K’gari Ranger Cameron Weightman is reminding everyone to take a few simple steps to stay safe on K’gari while in dingo country.
“Always walk in groups, carry a dingo safety stick, never run, keep kids within arm’s length, secure all food, bait and rubbish and follow safety signage,” K’gari Ranger Cameron Weightman with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said.
For more information about dingo safety, rules, and regulations, read the QPWS’s advice here.