A teenager has been fined after his four-wheel drive became “heavily bogged” in a protected lagoon on Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula.
Police and rangers spent almost two hours recovering the vehicle from Lime Bay State Reserve on Sunday, where vehicles are prohibited from entering the lagoon.
The 18-year-old from the state’s south was issued a $410 infringement notice for driving in a non-designated area on reserve land.
He was also cautioned for three further offences.
Tasmania Police said the offending “caused significant damage” to the lagoon area.
The incident was among several police responded to at the reserve and nearby campgrounds over the weekend.
Officers also received reports of hooning, anti-social behaviour and damage to reserve land.
Lime Bay State Reserve is located on the north-west corner of the Tasman Peninsula, south-east of Hobart Airport and Seven Mile Beach.
Investigations are continuing into other matters in the area, including illegal fires left smouldering and rubbish discarded at the site.
“Police and rangers will continue to patrol national parks, state reserves and campgrounds and will take action where offences are detected,” a police spokesperson said.
“Visitors are reminded to do the right thing by carrying a valid parks pass in national parks, following signage, staying on formed roads and tracks, respecting other users and not lighting unauthorised fires or leaving rubbish behind.”
