Abandoned 4x4s Destroy Fragile Salt Flats in Queensland

On October 15th, 2025, two 4x4 vehicles were discovered abandoned and stuck in a protected salt pan within the Bowling Green National Park in North Queensland. According to the report, the vehicles had become bogged down in the salt flats, a fragile ecosystem recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of reckless off-roading in these protected areas. Tow truck driver Steve Colbourne, who responded to the rescue call, explained that this was not his first time retrieving vehicles from the salt pans. So far this year, he has rescued four other vehicles that became stuck while attempting to drive on the delicate salt crust.

These unauthorized incursions not only cost thousands of dollars to resolve but also cause lasting damage to the salt pan environment. The vehicles' intrusion disturbs the ecosystem, uprooting vegetation, compacting soil, and potentially contaminating the sensitive salt flat habitat. Additionally, the salt accelerates the rate of metal corrosion, leaving the rescued vehicles in a state of near-total destruction.

In addition to the exorbitant rescue fees, the drivers of the abandoned 4x4s now face a penalty of up to $3,226 for illegally accessing the protected salt flats. This incident has sparked outrage among the public, with many calling for harsher punishments to deter such reckless behavior and protect the fragile Bowling Green National Park.