Costly mistake on camping trip leaves group of mates out-of-pocket: ‘We learned a life lesson’

French tourists have made an expensive mistake while trying to cross a notoriously difficult beach pass that is popular with 4WD enthusiasts.

The camping trip came to a horrific end at Mudlo Rocks at Rainbow Beach, in the Gympie region of Queensland, on Thursday.

Mudlo Rocks, which lies between K’Gari and Cooloola National Park, is a narrow rocky pass between the coastal town of Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point.

But drivers have to time the crossing as it is tide-dependent and if they miscalculate it, their vehicle can be pummeled against the surrounding rocks – or sunk in the shifting sand.

Which is exactly what happened to French tourists and their two 4WDs in the hazardous spot.

Footage showed the vehicles almost fully submerged in the rough water. 

‘These two French boys didn’t quite make it around the rocks,’ a post read on Facebook.

Lucas, one of the French travellers, revealed everyone in his group escaped injury.

The vehicles were pushed into rocks and had sunk into the sand. No-one was injured (pictured the red 4WD)

‘Everyone is okay. That’s my two mates. We already clean everything around this morning at 3am (sic),’ he wrote.

‘We call a towing this morning (sic). Thanks everyone.’

The traveller also added he knows Rainbow beach well, as he and his friends have been going there ‘every week’, but was pragmatic about the incident.   

‘Just because you know the place doesn’t mean it (will) always goes well,’ he wrote.

‘We learned a life lesson in the hardest way, but it’s only material, no one was hurt.’

Aussie 4WD enthusiasts were quick to try and make the tourists feel better.

‘Everyone stuffs up. I’m sure these guys worked hard to get these vehicles set up to travel in,’ one wrote.

‘I feel really sorry for them. Poor dudes,’ another said.

A third wrote: ‘Eek! Poor guys. Bet they feel sick right now’.

But other Aussies were quick to blame the tourists for not having the ‘driving skills’ to be able to use the pass safely.

Mudlo Rocks, Rainbow beach, nearly three hours north of Brisbane, is a notorious beach crossing that is tide-dependent. Many vehicles have been claimed in the area by the tide (pictured stock photo of Rainbow Beach)

‘You need to learn how to use your vehicle before you make extremely bad mistakes. Knowledge is king,’ one wrote.

‘How do people get them selves into this position?’ another added.

The group of French tourists are not the first ones to have run into trouble at the spot – with many forced to declare their cars a ‘write off’. 

Mudlo Rocks has become so infamous for its tides and rocks claiming vehicles, even the Queensland Government’s Environment, Science and Innovation department warns drivers to take extra care. 

‘Use extreme caution; only experienced drivers should attempt crossing Mudlo Rocks if conditions are good enough,’ its website said.

‘Don’t let a trip turn into a tragedy. Use Freshwater Road as an alternative route.

‘Wave action can expose dangerous rocks overnight.’