Tourists visiting a scenic street in New South Wales, often hailed as "Australia's prettiest street," have been hit with more than $12,000 in fines over the past year. The street, Tasman Drive in Gerringong, a coastal town south of Sydney, gained viral fame on TikTok for its breathtaking views.
According to business papers from a May 19 local council meeting, as reported by the Illawarra Mercury, tourists have accumulated over $12,000 in parking fines since the street's popularity surged. The documents also reveal that visitors have been verbally warned not to lie down in the middle of the road for photos.
Tasman Drive does not have signposted parking restrictions, so all fines have been issued for violations such as double parking or blocking resident driveways. Prior to January 2025, no fines were recorded on the street.
The report notes that council compliance officers have given countless verbal warnings for improper parking, including failing to parallel park or not parking in the direction of travel. Visitors have been reminded to adhere to NSW Road Rules and to avoid standing or lying in the street for social media photos.
The street offers views of Werri Beach's giant waves, lush greenery, and classic Australian beachside homes. Its internet fame has turned the residential area into a global attraction, even catching the attention of The New York Times last week.
Local residents have reported tourists asking to use their bathrooms and kitchens, and in some cases, using front lawns as makeshift bathrooms. However, some residents see the attention positively, with one telling the US outlet, "It's made me more aware of just how beautiful it is. We're all tourists at some point."
