An estimated 5000 four-wheel drives made their way from Stockton to Cessnock on Saturday for a planned protest against National Parks and Wildlife Service regulations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With more than twice the expected number of vehicles taking part, the protest at Cessnock Showground was disbanded for safety reasons.
It is believed to be the world’s biggest vehicular protest convoy ever, with cars travelling from as far as Queensland to take part in the 48-kilometre rally.
It was held in opposition of track closures around Australia including Stockton and the Watagans.
In a video on posted on his Facebook page (which has 23,000 likes), organiser John “Roothy” Rooth said that while the protest had to be called off its point was still made.
“We want our country back; we don’t want to be locked out,” Roothy said.
Stockton Beach’s camping area has been closed for recovery from major storm damage since mid-2012.
Regional National Parks and Wildlife Service manager Robert Quirk said all 28 kilometres of the beachfront were open to 4WD owners, plus an additional 430 hectares in the high dunes.
