Costly mistake on camping trip leaves group of mates out-of-pocket: ‘We learned a life lesson’
French tourists have made a costly mistake when attempting to cross a notoriously difficult beach pass popular with 4WD enthusiasts.
The camping trip came to a gruesome end on Thursday at Mudlo Rocks on Rainbow Beach, in the Gympie region of Queensland.
Located between K’Gari and Cooloola National Park, Mudlo Rocks is a narrow rocky pass between the coastal village of Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point.
But drivers must plan the crossing in time, because it depends on the tide. If they misjudge this, their vehicle could be smashed into the surrounding rocks or sink into the shifting sands.
That’s exactly what happened to French tourists and their two 4WDs at the dangerous spot.
Images showed the vehicles almost completely submerged in the rough waters.
“These two French boys didn’t make it all the way around the rocks,” read a message on Facebook.
Lucas, one of the French travelers, revealed that everyone in his group had escaped injury.
One of the 4WDs hit by waves and almost completely submerged as French tourists attempted to cross Queensland’s infamous Mudlo Rocks (pictured)
The vehicles were pushed against the rocks and sank in the sand. No one was injured (photo the red 4WD)
‘Everyone is okay. Those are my two friends. We already cleaned everything at 3am this morning,” he wrote.
‘We’re calling a towing service (sic) this morning. Thanks everyone.”
The traveler added that he knows Rainbow Beach well as he and his friends go there “every week”, but he was pragmatic about the incident.
“Just because you know the place doesn’t mean it will always go well,” he wrote.
“We learned a life lesson in the hardest way, but it is only material, no one was hurt.”
Aussie 4WD enthusiasts quickly tried to make the tourists feel better.
‘Everyone cleans up. I’m sure these guys have worked hard to get these vehicles ready to travel in,” one person wrote.
‘I really feel sorry for them. Poor guys,” said another.
A third wrote: ‘Eek! Poor guys. I bet they feel sick right now.”
But other Aussies were quick to blame the tourists for not having the ‘driving skills’ to use the pass safely.
Mudlo Rocks, Rainbow Beach, almost three hours north of Brisbane, is a notorious beach crossing that is dependent on the tide. The tide has claimed many vehicles in the area (photo from Rainbow Beach)
‘You have to learn how to use your vehicle before you make extremely big mistakes. Knowledge is king,” one person wrote.
‘How do people get themselves into this position?’ another added.
The group of French tourists is not the first to get into trouble on the spot, with many having to write off their cars.
Mudlo Rocks has become so infamous for its tides and vehicle-claiming rocks that even the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is warning drivers to take extra care.
‘Be extremely careful; “only experienced drivers should cross Mudlo Rocks if conditions are good enough,” the website said.
‘Don’t let a journey become a tragedy. Use the Zoetwaterweg as an alternative route.
“Wave action can expose dangerous rocks overnight.”