Thread: DOC campsite(s) condition

Wifey and I took our fully self contained (thank heavens) caravan to Kakaho Reserve campsite, Link Road, Pureora State forest yesterday with intention of staying a couple of days. After registering and paying $20 online, we began reminiscing about having lived and worked in the area decades ago and anticipated a great time botanising; she’s the brain, I’m the mule for camera gear.

The reserve is a damned mess!

Bollards have been removed and much grass has been torn out by rampant drivers (mud tread prints). The bbq stations have been smashed to ground level leaving concrete, unburnt branches and galvanised brackets - guessing from burnt tables in the ashes. Random fires have been lit where campers have pitched camp. Blackberry and broom have encroached from much of the boundary onto unmown grass. Worst of all is the state of one toilet I checked. The commercial sized twin paper dispenser was empty, multiple domestic loo cardboard rolls littered the floor and faecal matter had dried solidly onto parts of the dunny.

Simply put, the place was a filthy, disgusting mess. We stayed one night only as nocturnal arachnid study was the reason for the visit.

I have notified DOC of the state of Kakaho campground and invited them to call me. If they’re prepared to provide a Ute, petrol water blaster, disinfectant and suitable tools, I’m offering to return to clean up what I can.

Has anyone experienced similar conditions at other DOC campsites?