Proposal carved in Blue Mountains rock sparks backlash and warnings on park vandalism

An Australian national park visitor’s grand romantic gesture drew swift backlash after a photograph circulated of a heart carved into a rock face at Blue Mountains National Park, a World Heritage-listed site west of Sydney. The message read, “Kiri, will you marry me?”, and it was not clear whether the proposal was accepted.

The rock inscription appeared in a public area within the Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales. The public response online was overwhelmingly negative, with critics labeling the act reckless vandalism that compromises a site’s natural and cultural integrity. NSW National Parks and Wildlife officials say visitors should leave what they find and warn that graffiti is a punishable offense under state law. The incident was reported by Ashley Nickel, News Reporter, Australia.

NSW classifies graffiti as any implement designed or modified to produce a mark that is not readily removable by wiping or by the 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, such as Indigenous art. Damaging rock art could result in a $550,000 fine and up to 24 months in prison for individuals and up to $1.1 million for corporations under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Authorities note the Blue Mountains region is home to numerous Indigenous rock art sites, though it remains unclear whether the proposal carving was made at one of these culturally significant locations. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between personal romance gestures and conservation ethics in Australia’s parks, where preservation of natural and cultural heritage remains a priority for visitors and authorities alike.

Reaction on social media ranged from condemnation to quips about the inscription’s potential historical value. One commenter wrote, “National parks are to preserve. It’s not preserving if everyone is allowed to actively change/alter what’s there on a whim.” Another added, “Yeah, I’m mad, but in 500 years some nerds are gonna be studying this for a PhD in historical graffiti.” A third noted, “Dude. World heritage. You’re a w-----.” While some saw humor in the situation, most responses focused on the need to protect public spaces and respect legal safeguards for park lands. The NSW Parks service reiterated its warning that vandalism in parks carries serious penalties and that preserving public spaces is a shared responsibility.