Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Camping:

In popular areas, camp only in previously used sites and avoid fragile vegetation. Construction of tent platforms or bed sites, digging of trenches and use of vegetation for bedding is unnecessary and unacceptable.

Self Reliance:

All visitors to the natural environment are to be self-sufficient. All accommodation is to be self-provided; tents or fly sheets.

Bushwalkers and the Environment:

In the natural environment, bushwalkers are visitors who should neither remain nor leave a trace of their presence. At all times, bushwalkers should consider the safety of their own party and others and remain considerate to others.

Courteous Behaviour:

Except where sites are scarce, parties are not to camp next to others. Rights of private property owners are to be respected, with permission being obtained before crossing or camping on private land. All fences and gates are to be left as found. Each member of the party is to contribute their own portion of food and water, or arrange prior to share. Fires should be lit well away from tents. No metal or foil lined containers or plastic should be burnt. Radios are unacceptable; the sounds of the natural environment should predominate.

Weapons are totally unnecessary.

Party Size:

Large groups are incompatible with wilderness, particularly in fragile areas such as alpine country and canyons. The maximum in any group should be 12. Canyons and fragile areas have lower limits (4 to 8 persons).

Tracks and Markers:

Marked and formed routes are to be used where they exist. The making of parallel tracks is to be avoided. Blazes, cairns, tin tags, etc have no place in the bush.

Fire and Fuel:

In wood scarce areas, particularly rainforest and alpine areas, stoves are to be used. In periods of extreme bushfire danger, only foods which don't require cooking should be taken. Living and dead trees are part of the natural environment and should not be cut. Use only fallen, dead timber. In popular areas only existing fire places should be used.

In less visited places, use a place cleared of ground litter. When leaving, the ashes should be spread and the site covered with leaf litter after the fire has been extinguished. Firewood should be used sparingly. Multiple fires are wasteful; only one fire is needed for warmth and cooking. Do not ring the fire sites with rocks; it is unnecessary and disruptive of the environment - many creatures use rocks for shelter.

If at all possible, leave no evidence of your fire site when you leave camp.

Sanitation:

Toilet waste should be well buried, 100m away from present and potential camp sites, tracks or streams. Toilet paper is to be buried or burnt.

Water and Washing:

No water supply is to be polluted by soap waste or excreta. Swimming should take place downstream of the campsite. Wash water must be carried away from the water supply.

Rubbish:

All rubbish is to be carried out, especially aluminium foil, metal cans and plastic. Many packets have a layer of aluminium foil and should not be burnt. Do not burn food scraps while others are cooking.

Huts:

Bushwalkers / skiers should not rely on huts for accommodation. Due to the scarcity of wood around huts, stoves are to be used in preference to fires.