Grand romantic gesture at one of Australia’s most scenic spots goes wrong, sparking huge backlash
An Australian national park visitor trying their hand at a memorable romantic proposal has been slammed online for reckless graffiti.
A frustrated parkgoer shared a photo of the proposal message carved into a rock face at a world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park in NSW, west of Sydney.
It showed a heart surrounding the words ‘Kiri, will you marry me?’.
While it’s unknown whether Kiri accepted or turned down the proposal, the public’s response to the carving was overwhelmingly negative.
Vandalism in a national park can attract hefty fines.
‘National parks are to preserve. It’s not preserving if everyone is allowed to actively change/alter what’s there on a whim,’ one person wrote.
‘People are really out here making marriage proposals and gender reveals everybody’s problem. Leave no trace or stay out of the woods,’ another said.
‘Dude. World heritage. You’re a w*****,’ a third added.
A proposal carving (pictured) at a park in the Blue Mountains has been criticised online
Several frustrated Aussies slammed the proposer for damaging a national park with graffiti
However, some commenters were able to see the lighter side of the situation.
‘Yeah, I’m mad, but in 500 years some nerds are gonna be studying this for a PhD in historical graffiti,’ one wrote.
‘They clearly have a rocky relationship as it is,’ another said.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife urges all park visitors to leave public areas how they found them, and there’s severe consequences for people who don’t.
NSW classifies graffiti as ‘any implement designed or modified to produce a mark that is not readily removable by wiping or by use of water or detergent’.
Penalties for graffiti can be as steep as a $2,200 fine or 12 months behind bars.
The punishment is even more severe for those convicted of damaging culturally significant sites, like Indigenous art.
The Blue Mountains is home to many such sites, though it is unclear if the proposal carving was made at one.
Damaging rock art could result in a $550,000 fine and up to 24 months in prison for individuals and up to $1.1million for corporations under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
