Stay off saltpans – protect the environment and your vehicle

Issued: 26 Feb 2025

Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts in the Townsville region are urged to stop driving on saltpans due to the risks of getting bogged and having their vehicles written off.

Recently, a Toyota Hilux was bogged to the axels and most likely written off after being stuck on the saltpans at Cape Cleveland for almost six weeks.

Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the owner tried crossing the saltpan in the Bowling Green Bay National Park.

“We don’t want anyone getting bogged on the saltpans, and there are locations in the Townsville region where people can lawfully test their four-wheel-drive skills and their vehicles,” Mr Dunk said.

“Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts need to protect the environment and their vehicles by staying off the saltpans.

“Unfortunately, the Hilux owner tried to drive about three kilometres across the saltpan to reach a creek on the other side and made it about halfway across before abandoning his vehicle.

“He reported it to the department on 23 September 2024, and unfavourable weather conditions meant it couldn’t be retrieved until 5 November 2024.

“During that time, it was inundated by several king tides and exposed to heavy rain, and it is likely that it will be written off.

“Once the thick saltpan crust is broken a vehicle will quickly sink to the axels, and this is an expensive price to pay for disregarding the environment.”

Mr Dunk said under the Nature Conservation Regulation, it is an offence to drive or ride a vehicle into restricted sections of a protected area and people can be fined for leaving access tracks.

“We have issued a $322 fine to the Hilux owner and issued fines to two other people who recently became bogged in our protected areas,” he said.

“Saltpans in Bowling Green Bay National Park are also listed under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance, and the maximum penalty for unauthorised use of a vehicle in a protected area is $3,226.

“Driving on saltpans damages the crust, uproots vegetation, causes soil compaction and erosion, disturbs bird and crustacean populations and has the potential for contamination.

“They are critical parts of our marine ecosystems and support hidden life, including saline or brackish sedgelands, crustaceans, worms and birdlife.”

Information about what roads or tracks are approved can be found in maps on the QPWS website at https://parks.qld.gov.au/parks.