Queensland park rangers issue fines after vehicles damage Pinnacles Reserve

An investigation by QPWS found six bogged vehicles abandoned in Pinnacles Reserve conservation area. (Supplied: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)

Two drivers who unlawfully drove through a protected wetland area in north Queensland have been fined more than $1,400 each after their cars and debris caused significant environmental damage.

The drivers were among a group of 11, including two children, who illegally entered an authorised zone in the Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville last month.

Their six vehicles were abandoned after they became bogged in a heavy downpour.

The rain forced the group to wade through water after dark before they were rescued by helicopter and swift-water rescue crews.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said it turned from something relatively simple into a dangerous event.

"Ultimately it meant that at about five o'clock in the morning they then made a call to QFES, police and SES," Mr Dunk said.

"Six people I believe were taken out on the helicopter and another five were taken by the swift water rescue team."

The vehicles, some bogged to the axles, remained in the protected area for weeks afterwards.

The vehicles caused an estimated $50,000 damage in a Townsville conservation reserve.

Mr Dunk said litter, including broken snatch straps and rum cartons, was found among the vegetation.

The damage to the reserve is estimated to cost about $50,000 dollars to repair.

Mr Dunk said the drivers who escaped fines were cooperative with authorities.

"Four of the people that were involved actually came into our offices and explained themselves and explained what happened," Mr Dunk said.

"We were a bit more lenient with those people [and] issued formal warning notices rather than infringement notices to those people."

Mr Dunk said the other drivers were not as cooperative.

He said the protected area had been accessed through an area critical to firefighters.

"It was accessed via a fire break and the fire break is very important to allow fire vehicles to protect that part of the reserve or potentially protect our neighbours," he said.

Mr Dunk encouraged people to check the weather forecast before four-wheel driving, stay on approved tracks and roads and tred lightly.

The two fines issued were $1,437 each.