A massive influx of visitors to Warrnambool’s whale-viewing platform at Logans Beach has sparked council action.
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Warrnambool City Council confirmed it was introducing measures to tackle the effects of hundreds of visitors to the platform every hour, which included extra rubbish and grassed areas being used as car parks.
“Up to 11 whales in residence at Logans Beach, combined with some very favourable weather, has led to one of the best whale watching seasons in years,” a spokesman said.
“We appreciate that there is a high demand for parking, especially on weekends, and that cars have been parking on the grass adjacent to the main car park. We are planning to lay some material in this area to help facilitate this overflow parking.”
The spokesman also said rubbish bins would be emptied more frequently.
Visitors to the site Monday morning praised the design of the viewing platform, though some reported taking time to find a car park, and said there should be toilets..
Warrnambool resident Dennis Belsar said the platform provided a great vantage point for watchers, but he had some concerns.
“The paddocks are really churned up out the back so extra car parking wouldn’t go astray,” he said.
However, the focus of many visitors lay beyond the platform, out to the water.
Eric Ling, a tourist from Malaysia, had just spotted a whale for the first time.
Mr Ling said the experience was “pretty cool” and he was happy with facilities.