TRAVELLERS illegally camping overnight in parking lots have raised the ire of Cairns residents and even other tourists. 

The city’s Esplanade and the carpark at The Pier are becoming free "motels" with budget travellers illegally parking overnight, in order to use the nearby toilets and barbecues for free, and to be close to inner-city attractions.

Jennifer Holman, a visitor from southeast Queensland, said there were as many as 30 campervans at The Pier each weekend.

"One guy was doing his laundry, hanging it off the back of his campervan," Ms Holman said.

"Other people were sitting down there in camping chairs and making out like it was a picnic spot or a camping ground."

She said the freeloaders were bad for Cairns’ tourism image.

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The Cairns-based chairman of Backpacking Queensland, Brett Claxton, agreed there was a problem.

"I’ve definitely noticed a few," he said.

But Mr Claxton said it was important to remember the budget travellers were still contributing to Cairns’ economy, no matter where they slept.

Cairns Regional Council parking officers patrol the Esplanade daily and issue notices and $200 on-the-spot fines to illegal campers.

Cairns Mayor Val Schier urged the public to report illegal overnight campers to the council.

"People need to comply with parking regulations and I think we probably need to get our parking inspectors on the job," Cr Schier said.

Israeli backpacker Shay Sharbid, 24, who has been travelling along Australia’s east coast with his two mates, paid for parking at The Pier yesterday afternoon.

But Mr Sharbid said there should be a dedicated van-park area for budget travellers, closer to the city.

"If they give us an area like (the Pier), it would prevent people from parking illegally all over the city," Mr Sharbid said.

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