In these times of eco friendly and back to nature tourism, camping is one of the many popular activities enjoyed by many hundreds of thousands of holiday makers.
For the first time camper, a little bit of planning can make the experience enjoyable. When planning to camp in national parks and reserves, some national parks and reserves may require that you pre-book, with fees also being involved. If bush camping is not your thing, you can enjoy facilities provided by camping and caravan sites.
For those first time campers, following are some guidelines on how to minimise your impact on the environment whilst camping.
Minimal Impact Camping
- Sandy or hard surfaces are better than boggy or grassed areas. Keep at least 50 metres away from watercourses and tracks. Stay only one or two nights at each site.
- Use a fuel stove when camping. Do not build rock rings, they are unsightly and destroy valuable vegetation.
- Do not clear or destroy any vegetation.
- Wash at least 50 metres away from all water sources. Avoid detergents and soaps. Use a scourer or sand instead of detergent.
- When there are no toilets, bury your toilet waste 150 mm deep, at least 100 metres from any water source.
- Don’t bury rubbish. Carry it all out, including orange peel and aluminium foil. Do not try to burn aluminium foil.
- No dogs, no shooting, no vehicles or motorbikes off road, no chainsaws allowed.
- Fires are permitted in approved fireplaces only. During a fire ban no fires, stoves, or cigarettes can be lit in the open.
- Always check if a total fire ban or park fire ban is in place and report all fires (phoning 000).
When visiting
- All fauna, flora, Aboriginal sites, historic features and rock formations are protected.
- Wildfires can destroy lives and property, so be careful, especially during the bushfire danger period. Use only fuel stoves or the fireplaces provided and observe total fire bans.
- Leave pets and firearms at home – they are not permitted in national parks.
- Drive carefully. Vehicles, including motorbikes, must keep to formed public roads.
- Please take all rubbish with you when you leave.
Tread Lightly! Australia
Whilst the company no longer exists, the philosophy still holds true…
Philosophy is to promote the concept of individuals, organisations and corporations taking responsibility for their own actions and demonstrating responsibility within whatever outdoor activity they choose. Respect the Environment with your Recreation.
Travel and recreate with minimum impact.
Respect the environment and rights of others.
Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go.
Allow for the future use of the outdoors, leave it better than you found it.
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation. Education is the key to preserving the great outdoors.
