Early morning beachgoers took to social media yesterday morning, posting photos of cans and bottles scattered around what appeared to be the remnants of a bonfire under a heading saying “freedom camping was out of control”. Other photos showed human waste left in the scrub surrounding the whale viewing platform. 

Comments left on the photos suggested the tourists cleaned up the mess after beachgoers took them to task. 

A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said a call had been received about the rubbish. He said it was always disappointing when people dump rubbish. 

“It’s council’s responsibility to empty council-owned rubbish bins, it’s everyone’s responsibility to put their rubbish in a bin or take it with them,” the spokesman said. 

When The Standard visited the beach just after 9am yesterday, the rubbish had been removed and six vans were parked in the car park and on grassed areas at the whale nursery. Three more were parked at the Bluehole car park. 

French tourists Pauline Mathe and Marion Cugnet, who had camped at Logans Beach overnight Tuesday, said the majority of van packers do the right thing but admitted there were some who weren’t respectful. 

The pair are at the start of a year-long journey around Australia and said they discovered Logans Beach on a smart phone application that highlights good overnight stops around the country. 

She said all van packers wanted was a place to pull in for the night, a shower and a toilet.

“It’s a good way to see Australia for relatively low cost,” Ms Mathe said. 

“Most people do the right thing, if there are no bins we take our rubbish with us. But there are some who do the wrong thing.”

Ms Cugnet said it would be good if councils provided facilities for campers to encourage them to stay in their towns for longer. 

“We have spent money on fuel and on food and we have done a bit of shopping,” she said. “If the facilities are there people will spend more time.” 

Ms Mathe said they are often met with hostility, with locals often yelling and telling them to move on, but it did not worry them too much. 

“It’s a very popular way to see Australia. There are a lot of people doing it now,” Ms Mathe said. The growing tourism trend has drawn the ire of accommodation providers, who say they are missing out while van packers use local facilities without contributing to the local economy. 

Warrnambool City Council has previously said its local laws officers, where possible, advise those who appear to be considering camping illegally to move on.