Navigating the car park at your local shopping centre can be tricky, but throw in some new signage, and you might find yourself circling for a spot, scratching your head in bewilderment.

That's precisely what happened to shoppers at Harpley Town Centre in Wyndham City, Melbourne, when a series of cryptic icons appeared near the entrance to Coles.


The new symbols, which depict the universally recognised figures of a man and a woman – the kind you'd typically find on restroom doors – left many drivers confused.

With no clear explanation, shoppers were left to guess who the designated parking bays were intended for.


Was it for parents, couples without children, or vehicles with more than one occupant? The speculation was rife, and the uncertainty was palpable.

One shopper, who had come to the centre with his family, remarked, 'It's different. I've never seen it before. I'm not really sure what it's for.'

‘I assumed it was for parents.’


Another driver, boldly parked in one of the mysterious spaces, thought they were for cars with multiple passengers.

Meanwhile, a passerby speculated it could be a standing zone for shoppers waiting for a ride.

'I've got no idea what it means.' the driver said.

The enigma was eventually unravelled by the centre's operations manager, Ian McKenzie, who clarified that the bays were reserved for the elderly.

'It can be a man or a woman. It's actually meant to show somebody that's a bit elderly,' he said.


‘Not all elderly people have walking sticks, and some people might be offended.’

However, the good intentions behind the signage were lost in translation without proper context.

Recognising the oversight, McKenzie assured that new signs with clear explanations would be installed shortly.

‘Just hang on for a couple of days until we get the signage up,’ he urged.

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Similarly, a shopping centre in Tasmania has implemented parking spots featuring double lines, offering extra space that allows car doors to open fully without touching neighbouring vehicles.

The innovative design has earned praise from numerous Australian drivers for minimising door dings and promoting improved parking etiquette. Learn more about this initiative here.
Have you come across any puzzling parking signs during your outings? How do you feel about using universal icons to represent elderly parking? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.