Camping

Queensland's Outback offers some fantastic opportunities to get off the beaten track and visit some forgotten areas of this remarkable part of Australia. Camping in national parks and other remote areas will get you back to nature so that you can enjoy the untouched landscapes and view native plants and animals in their natural habitats. This fact sheet has some handy hints to ensure that your camping trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Rest areas and heavy vehicle rest areas are not provided as free camping facilities. The general rule regarding rest area overnight camping is that it is not allowed within a 50 kilometre radius of the nearest commercial caravan park / camping ground. In order to maximise the usage by travellers who need a place to stop and rest, the maximum length of stay permitted in any rest area or heavy vehicle rest area is 20 hours.

It must be reiterated that it is an offence to stay for longer than the stated period at a rest area where a conspicuous sign limiting stays to a stated period has been erected. Main Roads has a responsibility to assist road users in managing driver fatigue. However, Main Roads is not in the business of providing free camping facilities.

Responsible Camping

• Travel in small groups you will enjoy a better bush experience and have less impact on the environment.
• Camp only in designated camping areas and aim to leave your campsite as you found it or better! Do not clear it, dig trenches or cut trees for tent poles.
• Be familiar with conditions applying to camping in the area you are visiting.
• When bush camping, camp well away from water bodies.
• Keep noise to a minimum. Radios, compressors and generators are not to be used to the annoyance of other campers.
• If toilets are not provided, bury human wastes (well away from lakes and streams).

Camping Safety

• Be prepared. Plan your trip carefully. Make sure your camping equipment, vehicle and boat are in good working condition. Take sufficient drinking water, a first aid kit and wet weather gear.
• Watch your step. Stay well back from cliff edges and waterfalls. Cliff edges may crumble and rocks near waterfalls may be slippery. Always stay behind safety fences to avoid tragedy.
• Read signs and brochures carefully. Pay attention to safety warnings.

Plants and Wildlife

• Remember plants and animals are protected. So try not to trample or damage plants when walking or erecting your tent.
• Do not disturb or feed the local wildlife.

Fires

• Use a fuel stove for cooking. Open fires are often prohibited.
• Where open fires are allowed, light fires in built fireplaces only. Do not collect firewood from parks or forests.
• Put fire out when you leave your campsite. Always put fire out with water, not sand or dirt. Sand and dirt retain heat.

Rubbish

• Take your rubbish when you leave or use bins where provided. Do not bury rubbish, as animals will dig it up.
• Recycle where possible. Most major parks have collection bins.

Pets

• If you want to camp in national parks, leave domestic animals like cats and dogs at home. Pets can foul picnic areas, annoy other visitors, disturb native animals and are not allowed in parks.
• Dogs on leashes are allowed in some forests. Check first.

Detergents

• Do not use soap in lakes and streams ? it pollutes water and harms aquatic life.
• Use scourers instead of detergents.

Camping in National Parks
Camping is allowed in some parks and state forests. Others have private campgrounds nearby. You must get a camping permit and pay your camping fees, before camping in a national park or state forest.

People who camp without permits can be fined. You can book permits and pay your camping fees online at www.qld.gov.au/camping, by phoning the Smart Service call centre on 13 13 04 or by visiting a number of EPA / QPWS customer service counters. Depending on the channel used you can pay your camping fees by cash, cheque or credit card.

Some camping areas are heavily booked, especially during holidays and long weekends. You can book some camping areas up to 12 months in advance. (At least six weeks' advance booking is recommended.)

At some national parks you can pay your fees at a "self service" camping registration sign. Under this system, you write your own permit and insert your camp fees (cash, cheque or credit card number) in an envelope in a container at the camping registration sign in the campground. Usually self-registration parks are those that are less popular and do not require a booking. However, we cannot guarantee that a camping site will be available at self-registration campgrounds.