In Australia, frustration in a coastal village has gone viral

Located just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like other small, photogenic villages on Australia's east coast, with multi-million dollar properties nestled in greenery and boasting stunning Pacific views.

On the flip side, posts on Instagram, TikTok, and even the Chinese social network RedNote feature Tasman Drive, sometimes touted as the most beautiful street in the country. This is much to the dismay of residents, who see their little piece of paradise become a global sensation.

"For a small country town, this is going too far," Peter Hainsworth, 81, told AFP, as tourists wandered around the rolling hills nearby.

"There are people trying to turn around three times, standing in the middle of the road to take pictures, leaving their trash. Everyone is fed up," he adds.

Nearby, tourists pose in the middle of the road and take selfies, but are soon furiously reprimanded by a local on a bicycle who, while swearing, refuses to speak to AFP.

The excesses of overtourism have already generated hostile reactions in many sites around the world, from Mount Fuji in Japan to Barcelona or Venice, prompting authorities to take regulatory measures.

In Gerringong, some residents resort to radical methods, such as activating automatic sprinklers to prevent tourists from photographing their lawns.

Others are organizing into committees to demand that the road be made one-way, in order to slow down the uninterrupted flow of vehicles that slow down to film this popular viewpoint.

Sagar Munjal, a 28-year-old taxi driver living in Parramatta, near Sydney, made the trip with friends after spotting the location on Instagram.

"I was speechless. You can enjoy the coastal road with both the beach and these magnificent mountains," the young man said.

Mixed economic impact

Andy Liao, a property developer originally from Chengdu, China, and now living in Sydney, told AFP that he and his family drove there after discovering the street on RedNote.

"The scenery is so beautiful, that's why I drove for two hours," he explains.

He says he understands the annoyance of the locals: "If I lived here, I wouldn't want so many people coming right into my garden."

Kevin Medina, a 22-year-old Colombian cook, is less understanding after being insulted while taking a picture of himself by the roadside: "They should be happy that more people are discovering this beautiful place."

The main complaint of the locals lies in the supposed lack of economic benefits, as many tourists are content to simply take their photos and leave.

"Some shops aren't seeing many customers," while others "are doing quite well," Melissa Matters, deputy mayor and local shopkeeper, told AFP. "We've always relied on tourism here."

Back on Tasman Drive, tourists enthusiastically pose next to a speed bump sign.

"We wonder why they're doing this," says Linda Bruce, a 76-year-old resident. "Is it because they genuinely love the area and find the view wonderful, or is it simply to tick another box on their bucket list?"