A - Z guide to responsible park practices continued

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Photography

If you wish to take commercial photographs on protected areas, you must first obtain a permit. To do this you will need to complete an application form. This form contains information about fees payable and details of where to send your application.

Photographs taken by your clients as personal memories of their trip are not considered a commercial activity unless they wish to publish them in the future.

Picnicking

Picnics can be fun and will give your clients a quiet break to relax on a busy tour. Here are some tips to help plan your next group picnic.

Before you go on your bush picnic:

Check what facilities are available for commercial groups to use.
Be as self-sufficient as possible. Barbecues might be occupied so take your own gas or fuel barbecue, if possible.
Take a basic first-aid kit to treat any scratches, stings or insect bites. Insect repellent comes in handy too.
Pack binoculars to share. A bird identification book may also come in handy.
Pack plenty of food as few parks have kiosks nearby. Remove excess packaging before you arrive will cut down on rubbish.
Pack a tarpaulin or blanket in case picnic tables are occupied.
Spray the edges of your blanket or tarp with insect repellent to discourage uninvited guests!
Boil or treat the water to prevent stomach upsets.

Things to tell your group

Wear a hat and sunscreen.
Apply insect repellent if necessary.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring a coat or jumper in case it gets cool or a rain jacket in case it rains
Wear walking shoes, not thongs, sandals or dress shoes.
Never feed animals.
Leave your pet at home. Pets are not allowed in national parks. They chase the local wildlife and annoy other visitors.
Watch young children, especially around fires and water.

Look after the park so you can enjoy your next visit:

Take all rubbish with you. Never bury or burn rubbish or toss it in the bush. Even fruit peel takes ages to biodegrade and looks ugly for other visitors.
Don't collect firewood for your barbecue. Fallen timber and leaf litter provide homes for many animals. If you remove it for your barbecue, you deprive these animals of their homes!

Public moorings

To reduce coral damage and to provide a service to the boating community, public moorings have been placed at several sites in the Whitsundays area, and the north-west side of Flinders Reef in Moreton Bay. There is also a commercial mooring at Wolf Rock near Double Island Point at the south end of the Great Sandy Marine Park.

Public moorings are marked by blue, double-cone shaped buoys with marine parks colour-coded notices. Each notice states the limits of use for that mooring. Vessels must not be left unattended and must not be used in wind strengths above the maximum knots stated on the mooring. Mooring time limits apply.

Mooring classes and limits of use

Moreton Bay Marine Park

Band colour	Class of mooring	Maximum vessel length	Maximum wind speed
Brown	T	6m tender only	25 knots
Yellow	A	10m monohull 7.5m multihull	25 knots
Orange	B	20m monohull 18m multihull	25 knots
2-hour limit applies in any eight-hour period.

Whitsunday area - Great Barrier Reef

Band colour	Class of mooring	Maximum vessel length	Maximum wind speed
Brown	T	6m tender only	24 knots
Yellow	A	10m monohull 9m multihull	24 knots
Green	B	20m monohull 18m multihull	34 knots
Blue	C	25m monohull 22m multihull	34 knots
Red	D	35m monohull 30m multihull	34 knots
2-4 hour limits apply on day use. Overnight use is available. See conditions below

Depending on the area you are concerned about, contact the department or the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for more detailed information on the location and conditions of use of moorings.

Use of moorings for the Great Barrier Reef

Most moorings have a limit of either 2 or 4 hours. This has been introduced to ensure fair and equitable use of the moorings.
All public moorings are available for overnight use.
Vessels cannot occupy a public mooring for longer than the time specified on the mooring tag between 7am and 5pm.
If a vessel picks up a mooring at or after 3pm it may remain on the mooring overnight and is not required to vacate the mooring until 9am the next day.
Public moorings must not be used by more than one craft at a time (ancillary craft exempted), unless otherwise stated.
Take care to comply with all information displayed on the mooring tag.
It is an offence to remove, misuse, or engage in conduct that results in damage to a public mooring.

How to pick up a mooring

Take note of the prevailing wind and tides, then approach the mooring buoy by motoring into the wind or tide (whichever is stronger).
Observe the colour-coded band on the buoy to ensure your vessel is within the size and wind strength limitations for the mooring.
Take care to avoid running over the pick-up line when approaching the mooring.
Using a boat hook, retrieve the pick-up line.
Observe the mooring tag attached to the pick-up line for information on the limits of use.
Attach the pick-up eye to a cleat or strong point on the bow of the vessel. Do not attach another line to the pick-up line. This will increase the swing circle of the vessel and may lead to vessel or reef damage.

How to drop a mooring

Motor slowly towards the mooring to slacken the line slightly.
Cast the pick-up line well clear of the vessel.
Reverse away from the mooring buoy and lines.

Please note:

Public moorings are generally near drying reefs or shorelines and extreme care should be exercised in approaching and departing public moorings. Public moorings should not be accessed at night or in conditions of low light or poor visibility.

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Reef walking

Reef walking is an ideal activity for visitors not able to dive or snorkel. Groups can walk with care on the reefs surrounding many island and corals cays. Get your clients to observe the following guidelines to reduce damage to corals and other animals:

Walk in sand channels and avoid stepping on live corals - they are easily damaged and will cause nasty cuts.
Don't stir up sand and sediment. Murky water stresses reef plants and animals.
Return overturned coral boulders to their original position. Many animals and plants shelter on the undersides of boulders and will soon die if exposed.
Never collect animals for souvenirs. Other visitors are not able to enjoy anything you take away. Collecting of any kind is not permitted in marine park green zones adjoining the cays. Collecting of any coral or clams, living or dead, is not permitted in any zone.

Research and monitoring

Researchers can apply for a permit to undertake research on a national park.

Because national parks are managed to protect their natural condition, permission to alter that natural environment in any way is not given lightly.

Proposals to undertake scientific research in parks are carefully scrutinised. If the study cannot be done outside national parks, a permit for research on national parks can be issued to suitably qualified applicants.

Applicants must be recommended by acknowledged experts.

Activities such as collecting plants or trapping animals are strictly controlled.

Similar provisions apply to research permits on marine parks.

Rock climbing and abseiling

Tour operators need to be prepared, even on short walks, and judge the ability of all clients and conditions carefully before setting out. Do not expect to be warned of every possible danger.

To have a safe and enjoyable tour, please:

Consult with local park staff regarding rock climbing or abseiling sites.
Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group
Stay together and keep to the walking tracks. If you leave the track system maintained by park staff you are fully responsible for your actions and safety
Take care near cliff edges - they can be deceptive and are often closer than you think. Please keep away from the edge and supervise children at all times. Take extra care when using binoculars or cameras at these sites!
Ensure everyone wears a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes with good grip
Take a basic first-aid kit
Have drinking water for each member of the group
Leave a copy of your bushwalking plans with a responsible staff member. This person has responsibility for contacting police if you are overdue. Your plan should include:
- your name, address, number of people in your party, ages and any medical conditions
- vehicle registration, make, model, colour and parking location
- the route you are taking, expected times of departure and return.

Remember that search and rescue is costly, endangers people's lives and can damage the environment.

Walk in small groups. At least one tour guide in each group should be a competent map-reader and bushwalker.
Carry 1:25,000 topographic map of the area and a recognised bushwalking guidebook as these can come in handy.

Report incidents

Report these incidents to the department Hotline, ph 1300 130 372:

Dead or stranded marine turtles or marine animals.
Tag numbers.
Harassment or unauthorised feeding of dolphins.
Details on catching, tag numbers or stranding of grey nurse sharks.
Pollution spills.
Unusual marine sightings.

Report these incidents to Marine Safety Queensland, ph (07) 4973 1208 (24hours):

Marine pollution, including oil, diesel, and sewage spills.
Sunk or abandoned vessels.

Report these incidents to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries:

Illegal fishing in Queensland (Fishwatch), ph 1800 017 116;
Marine wildlife trapped in shark nets, ph 1800 806 891.

Report these incidents to police headquarters, ph (07) 3364 6464:

Unsafe boating practices, suspected illegal activities and other matters of concern.

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Shipwrecks

For at least 400 years ships have been navigating the coastal waters of Queensland. In that time more than 1400 ships have been wrecked on the Queensland coast and fringing reefs. Of the timber-hulled ships little remains except ballast and other artefacts. Steel hulled vessels generally last longer but will eventually succumb to corrosion and the forces of nature.

The Queensland Heritage Register does not list shipwrecks; however, most wrecks are protected under state and federal legislation.

For more details on shipwrecks see Historic Shipwrecks and Other wrecked ships.

Shorebirds

Beaches, sandbanks and mudflats are important to shorebirds. Many shorebirds are migratory and fly thousands of kilometres to their breeding grounds near the Arctic Circle every year. They occupy various coastal wetlands in Queensland between September and April, feeding on their rich food reserves. Each time these birds are disturbed and have to fly, they use up essential energy reserves which they have been storing for the long flight back to the Arctic. This may affect their survival and breeding success.

By following these guidelines you can minimise disturbance of shorebirds:

Vessels (boats, hovercraft, personal watercraft etc.) or vehicles should slow down and drive around, or away from flocks of feeding or roosting shorebirds.
Aircraft should not land or take off through a flock of feeding or roosting shorebirds.
Keep yourself and your pets well clear of areas where shorebirds are feeding, resting and nesting.
Ensure that dogs are under control and kept on a leash to prevent it causing undue disturbance to shorebirds.
If fishing from a sandbar, fish from the opposite end to where the shorebirds are gathered.
Feral animals can kill shorebirds and other wildlife, so please report feral animal sightings to your local shire council.

For more information on shorebirds.

Snorkelling

See the Diving & Snorkelling section.

Spearfishing

Spearfishing will not be permitted in waters of terrestrial protected areas, however spearfishing may be undertaken in adjacent waters, subject to the provisions of relevant marine park zoning plans and fisheries legislation. Spearguns must be dismantled when on a terrestrial protected area and only be loaded when in the water.

For more details see the Diving & snorkelling and fishing sections

Spotlighting

Advertising and promotion

Advertising or promotion of guided spotlighting tours should focus on night tours with a theme of discovery or exploration. It must not imply guaranteed observations of wildlife.

Promotional material must not use images depicting humanised wildlife, i.e. wildlife being fed or wildlife in unnatural situations such as on picnic tables or rubbish bins.

All promotional material must be submitted to the permitting office for compliance with the above, before production.

Guide competency

Spotlighting guides must possess the highest level of ecotourism guide accreditation both nationally and regionally e.g. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. This will ensure that guides possess:

a demonstrated sound knowledge of local botany and fauna
an understanding of hazards associated with the activity
a sound understanding of cumulative impacts of client and guide behaviour on wildlife and the environment at regular activity sites/routes
a basic knowledge of land tenure regulations and legislation pertaining to encounters with wildlife
a sound understanding of client management, including first aid
an ability to achieve appropriate behaviour among clients, a positive and memorable experience and a safe activity.

Operators must have an emergency plan to cover unpredictable events and all guides must know what actions to take in such situations.

Guide and client conduct

Before any wildlife encounter, tour clients must be briefed on how the spotlighting activity will be conducted. This should build realistic expectations of possible sightings and instruct clients in advance regarding appropriate behaviour.

Spotlighting guides should attune participants to nature's night sounds. Wildlife takes fright at sudden, loud or unfamiliar sounds, particularly slamming vehicle doors, crunching gravel underfoot and even people coughing, laughing or talking loudly. Noisy or rowdy behaviour must not be allowed. This includes behaviour such as whistling, clapping or yelling to attract an animal's attention, playing music or any other form of boisterous behaviour.

Wildlife must not be provoked, enticed, fed, handled or deliberately interfered with. This includes the use of calling devices or the playing of recorded wildlife calls.

Spotlighting must not be directed onto any sleeping or nesting birds.

Spotlights should not be shone onto any people, particularly other visitors at the site.

Walking tours

Group size for walking spotlighting tours should not exceed 12 people, including guide.

Respect other spotlighting groups - the first group to a site or track should be given right of way. Other groups should spotlight on a different route or maintain a respectful separation behind the first group of at least 15 minutes.

Driving tours

Driving spotlighting tours ideally comprise only vehicle, but not more than two.

All spotlights and torches must be extinguished when another vehicle approaches. Lights should not be switched on again until other vehicles and people are well clear.

Vehicles should only be stopped/parked at safe locations on the road with doors kept closed. Vehicles must never be left unattended in a way that blocks passage of other vehicles, or in a manner that poses a hazard to the sudden arrival of unexpected traffic.

Only the vehicle's standard headlights are to be used for illuminating the roadway - additional mounted lights must not be used.

Equipment and aids

No more than two spotlights are to be illuminated simultaneously by one group. Use of individual torches is to be discouraged. They should be used only for safety purposes.

Light intensity felt by an animal's eyes is dependent on many factors, the most significant being the intensity of light produced by the bulb and the distance of the spotlight from the animal. To account for the variety of wildlife encounters in a range of habitat types, all spotlights must be fitted with a graduated dimmer switch. This ability for the guide to regulate the light intensity will advantage the tour groups and lessen the impact upon the wildlife.

The following power to distance relationship is a guide to the upper limit to be used:

30-watt maximum spotlight strength to illuminate wildlife within 20m of the light source.
60-watt maximum spotlight strength for distances between 20 and 40m.
100-watt maximum spotlight strength for distance greater than 40m.

For safety reasons, acid batteries should not be carried on walking tours.

Binoculars or spotting scopes and identification/interpretative materials should be available to participants during the spotlighting activity.

Swimming

Most beaches in and near national and marine parks are unpatrolled. Rips and currents can be very dangerous, even at still-water beaches. Queensland's surfing beaches are notorious for such dangers, especially for inexperienced swimmers and people unused to surf. Even strong swimmers can get into trouble.

Never swim at unpatrolled beaches.
Select sites which suit the swimming ability of your group.
Use floatation devices when swimming and snorkelling.
Sharks live in the sea and estuaries in Queensland but shark attacks are rare. Get local advice before taking your group swimming.
Never allow clients to swim at dawn, dusk or night-time.
Always ensure someone on the land is supervising the group.
Stinger may be present all year round; protective clothing or stinger suits should be worn.
Have an emergency plan in place in case someone gets in trouble. This should include a list of emergency contact numbers.

Beware of stingers

Dangerous stinging jellyfish are a problem in coastal waters. Box jellyfish live in waters and estuaries from Gladstone north between October and May. These stingers are dangerous. Never swim in the sea or river estuaries north of Gladstone between October and May without special protective clothing or swimming occurs in special enclosures.

If stung do not rub the wound. Flood the wound and any adhering tentacles with vinegar. Seek immediate medical attention.
If stung by jellyfish or bluebottles, flood the wound with seawater then apply ice. If pain persists re-apply ice then seek medical attention.

Beware of crocodiles

Estuarine crocodiles live in the sea and rivers north of Maryborough. People have been attacked and seriously injured by crocodiles.

Be very careful at rivers, creeks and billabongs throughout central and north Queensland.

Swim only in clear water.
Never swim in muddy waterholes or where you see a crocodile warning sign. Even if there is no sign, you cannot guarantee that crocodiles are not there! Seek local advice before swimming.

Creeks and lakes

Freshwater creeks have hidden dangers such as submerged logs and rocks and unexpectedly strong currents, especially after rain. Think before you or your clients swim.

Always ask local advice about currents and underwater snags.
Never dive or jump into any waterhole. People have been permanently and seriously injured from diving into water that was too shallow.
Stay away from waterfalls. If you slip, you might not live to regret it!

Protect our parks

If you do decide to swim, protect the park.

Never use soap, shampoo or toothpaste in any lagoon, lake or creek
Apply suncreen after you swim.

Apply suncreen after you swim.

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Track standards

Parks offers a range of walking tracks from beginner to advanced level. Each track is classified according to Australian Standards. You can purchase a detailed topographic map of particular areas from Sunmap. The track standards below outline what type of conditions you can expect to come across in department managed areas. Before planning a guided tour check the relevant park guide for details on track class available at the park.

Key to track standards

The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each track is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be of an easier level.

Class 1 track (Australian Standards)

Wheelchair access track with handrails at lookout.

Class 2 track (Australian Standards)

Easy, level, well-graded track, suitable for all fitness levels.

Class 3 track (Australian Standards)

Gently sloping, well-defined track with slight inclines or few steps and some exposed roots and rocks.
Caution required on loose gravel surfaces and near unfenced cliff edges and exposed natural lookouts.
Reasonable level of fitness required and ankle-supporting footwear required.

Class 4 track (Australian Standards)

Distinct track with exposed roots and rocks, muddy sections, steep inclines and extensive steps.
May be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls likely to be present.
Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces, creek crossings, unfenced cliff edges and exposed natural lookouts.
Moderate fitness level and ankle-supporting footwear strongly recommended.

Class 5 track (Australian Standards)

These trails are not constructed or maintained by the department.
No signs or markers are provided, except where necessary to reduce environmental damage.
Trails may range from clearly visible footpads to indistinct, overgrown routes, depending on usage levels.
Muddy section, steep grades and numerous hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls highly likely to be encountered.
Caution required - no safety fences, bridges or other structures provided.
Highly developed navigational skills and relevant topographic maps essential.
High fitness level and extensive off-track walking experience and ankle-supporting footwear essential.

Turtle watching

Bright lights and noises can disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings. If disturbed, female turtles are likely to return to sea without laying their eggs.

Please follow these simple guidelines to avoid disturbing them:

Ensure camp and boat lights are not visible from nesting areas. Cook early, shield camp lights and use small torches to find your way around.
If turtle watching, use small torches only (3 volts or less) and avoid using them whenever you can.
Never shine lights on turtles leaving the water, moving up the beach or digging nesting chambers.
Approach and observe the turtle from its rear with dim torchlight, but only after egg-laying begins - usually 10 minutes after the turtle stops moving sand.
Be as invisible as you can - remain quiet and calm.
When boating, maintain a speed of six knots or less over reef flats or shallow waters to avoid turtle strikes, coral damage and for the safety of people in the water.
Observe all go slow designated areas and keep off the plane.

Within marine parks, tourist programs that include turtle viewing (both on the beach and in the water), require a marine parks permit.

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Walk and camp softly

Promote minimal-impact walking and camping by following these guidelines and discussing them with your clients and other walkers, campers and friends. You can play a part in protecting Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery for future generations to enjoy by following the guidelines below.

Take:

a fuel stove and fuel for cooking. Open fires destroy vegetation and leaf litter and can devastate the bush if they escape.
a free-standing tent that requires few pegs, if staying overnight
a hand trowel to bury any human waste
food with minimal wrapping and avoid cans, bottles and aluminium foil
tent poles and rope. Don't cut down trees or tie ropes around trees.
bags for rubbish. If you take it in, take it out again!

Fires are not allowed in many places. Check first. If you have a campfire:

light fires in cleared areas, away from vegetation and tents
keep your fire small
preferably use an existing or pre-used fireplace
don't put rocks around the fire. Rocks conduct heat and damage the surrounding vegetation
collect timber only where it's permitted. Use only dead, fallen timber. Don't break branches from trees. Even leaf litter and dead timber provide homes and food for animals
always put the fire out. Douse it with water, not earth. Embers can smoulder for days
never light fires during high bushfire periods or in places where the fire might spread.

If you camp:

plan your route carefully so you arrive at a pre-arranged site rather than creating a new campsite
camp in pre-used campsites rather than making a new one
never camp on frontal sand dunes
camp well away from walking tracks, lakes and creeks
never dig trenches around your tent
take your own poles. Don't cut them from the bush.
remove all rubbish. Never bury rubbish. Animals dig it up
dismantle your fireplace. Check the fire is completely out
leave your campsite better than you found it!

During your walk:

walk in small parties to reduce damage
use toilets where provided
bury any human waste 15cm deep at least 100m away from any tracks, campsites, water courses, lakes or drainage channels
on beaches, bury human waste below high-tide level
wash yourself and any equipment at least 100m away from streams or lakes
use no soap, toothpaste, shampoo or sunscreen in lakes or streams
remove all rubbish. Even biodegradable food scraps can upset the balance and cause weeds
do the park a favour. Remove other rubbish too
protect the bush. Take no shortcuts
walk on rocks and hard ground rather than trampling vegetation
wear softer-soled shoes that cause less damage
never mark your route. Blazed trees are susceptible to fungal attacks that can kill the tree. Markers can confuse other walkers
try not to get lost. Search and rescue operations can cause more damage than bushwalking!
encourage other walkers to walk softly too.

Whale watching

A permit is needed to conduct commercial whale watching activities in Queensland. The law restricts the issuing of commercial whale watching permits in some Queensland waters, and also limits the number of permits issued within certain areas.

As provided in the Conservation and management of whales and dolphins in Queensland, commercial whale watching is restricted to within marine parks with all commercial whale watching permits being issued under the Marine Parks Act 2004.

The Nature Conservation (Whales and Dolphins) Conservation Plan 1997 specifies minimum approach distances to whales and dolphins by people, vessels, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. These laws are in place to prevent disruptive behaviour around whales while they are at their most vulnerable.

While in the vicinity of whales, skippers and their passengers must adhere to whale-watching regulations. Skippers should also maintain radio contact on VHF marine channels 14 and 16 and make their intentions clear to other vessels.

Whale watching regulations

Limits of approach

Skippers must not bring a boat closer than 100m to a whale.
Jetskiers and swimmers must remain at least 300m from whales.
All fixed-wing aircraft must stay 300m or an altitude of 1000ft above a whale.
Helicopters must stay 1km or an altitude of 2000ft above a whale.

If a whale surfaces closer than 100m to your boat:

you must not move your boat at more than 4 knots until the whale is at least 300m away.

Ensure your boat comes no closer than 300m to a whale if:

three or more boats are already closer than 300m to the whale
your boat is moving in a similar direction to or behind the whale
your boat is moving at more than four knots
your boat is within an area of special interest for whales (i.e. that part of the Whitsunday Management Area of the Townsville/Whitsunday marine park indentified as an area of special interest for whales in the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Plan).

Operate your boat to ensure:

whales are not required to alter direction, speed of travel or behaviour
members of a pod of whales are not separated.

Ensure you do not:

touch or intentionally feed a whale
make a noise that is likely to attract or disturb a whale
deposit rubbish near a whale
swim closer than 300m to a whale.

For information about Humpback whale research and Whales, dolphins and personal water craft use in Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Wildlife encounters

Enjoy your wildlife encounters:

Remember, this is the animals' home! Look after the bush so animals can continue to live here.
Look but don't touch! Wild animals, unlike pets and domestic animals, are not used to human handling. You might get hurt if you try to pat a wild animal.
Never treat native animals like pets. Don't chase or scare them. You might get hurt. Make sure children understand that animals have rights too.
Go spotlighting, but remember: bright lights can damage animals' eyesight. Use spotlights with protective covers over the lenses. Never shine a torch on an animal for more than a few minutes.
Detour around any snakes. Never poke them with a stick. Some Australian snakes are very dangerous. If you are bitten, apply a pressure bandage to the area around the bite to minimise the blood flow. Seek medical attention immediately.
Keep wildlife wild - for your sake and theirs, don't feed native animals. Human foods can harm native animals. Fed animals have been known to attack people.
Keep food secure and away from hungry animals. Apart from the awful mess animals can make, you might have to leave the park early if you run out of food.

Keep your noise down. You're more likely to see native animals if you stay quiet, and other visitors prefer the soothing sounds of the bush to blaring radios.

Last updated: 24 October 2008