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Be a considerate park visitor

When you visit protected natural areas, there are some simple things that you can do to minimise any environmental damage.

When walking

  • Stay on the track, even if it's rough or muddy. Walking on the track edges and cutting corners on steep, zigzagging tracks increases erosion and visual scarring.
  • Tread softly, choosing your footwear for the terrain. Often you will only need to wear lightweight walking boots or even running shoes.
  • If there are no tracks, spread out rather than follow each other's footsteps. A plant will be more likely to recover if walked on once than if stomped on by the whole party.
  • Walk as quietly as possible. This reduces the likelihood of disturbing wildlife and increases the chances of seeing it.
  • Carry all rubbish with you. Even discarded organic litter such as apple cores or orange skin adds nutrients to the soil which can aid the spread of weeds.
  • Avoid walking on sensitive vegetation by staying on rocks and hard ground wherever possible. Swamp and bog plants, mosses and other soft vegetation are easily destroyed by trampling.

More information
When camping
  • Minimise the use of fires, particularly in high-value conservation areas. Bring in wood or use wood provided. Do not break branches or use fallen timber - remember, dead wood provides valuable habitat for native animals. Only light fires in designated fireplaces - do not move bushrock to construct fireplaces as it also forms wildlife habitat.
  • Make sure you completely extinguish all fires before leaving an area or going to bed. A small amount of glowing embers can start a huge bushfire. Heavy fines may apply if campfires or other unshielded flames are left unattended.
  • If camping off the beaten track, use a fuel stove. If you do need to light a fire, remove the top layer of soil before making the fire. Keep the fire small and leave no trace of it when you leave: put the fire out thoroughly, scatter the ashes and replace the top layer of soil.
  • Don't use your campfire as a rubbish incinerator. Fire doesn't destroy aluminium foil, and plastics release toxic gases when burnt. Carry these out with you along with other rubbish.
  • Observe all fire bans.
  • Avoid low or poorly drained camping areas where soil or vegetation may be easily damaged; look for harder ground or sandier soils.
  • Use tents which do not require trenches and which are self-supporting; don't tie tent ropes to trees as they can be easily ringbarked and die.
  • Use rubbish bins or, better still, take rubbish with you when you leave including all organic waste such as fruit peel. Remember that Australian plants are generally adapted to low-nutrient soils, and adding nutrients only encourages the spread of weeds. Only use detergents, toothpaste and soap if you're at least 50m from any waterways, to prevent harm to fish and other wildlife. If there are no toilets, bury human waste at least 100m from streams and at least 15cm deep, or carry it out with you.
  • Please don't feed native animals - it can damage their health and make them dependent on campers for food. The wrong food can cause birds to lay eggs with weak shells that break before the young can develop. Find out more about how feeding native animals can affect them, their behaviour and you.
  • Avoid playing music or operating machinery in a way that affects the enjoyment of other visitors and disturbs wildlife.
  • Where possible use softer footwear such as sneakers or sandshoes around campsites to minimise compaction of soil and damage to vegetation.
  • Try to leave everything as you found it. Don't disturb historic places, Aboriginal sites, plants, animals or bushrock.

More information
  • For more tips on treading softly while camping, check out the bushwalkers' FAQ, on the NSW Confederation of Bushwalkers website.

When travelling by vehicle
  • Keep your vehicles in good mechanical order to maximise safety and minimise risk of oil leaks and fuel spills.
  • Check that your tyres and undercarriage are free from weeds or other environmental contaminants.
  • Keep the number of vehicles in a touring group at a level which maximises quality experience, and minimises social impacts on other visitors.
  • Ensure that you stay on designated roads and vehicle tracks. Don't drive on walking tracks.
  • Drive in the middle of tracks to keep track widening and damage to soft edges as little as possible.
  • Drive at speeds appropriate to the conditions, keep a lookout for wildlife and other visitors, and minimise noise and track damage.
  • Avoid dazzling wildlife with high beam, spotlights or powerful driving lights.
  • Try wherever possible not to drive on vegetation, particularly in grassy and soft areas.
  • Keep horn use, light use, revving, excessive idling, loss of traction, and winching using trees to a minimum.
  • Ford creeks only at designated crossings and approach the bank at 90 degrees to avoid damage to streambanks.

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Page last updated: 22 February 2008