Landing aircraft or recreational craft

General information

Some QPWS-managed areas incorporate airstrips or other areas suitable for the landing of aircraft or recreational craft. The primary purpose of these landing areas is to support management of surrounding or adjacent parks and forests. However, aircraft and recreational craft are used in a number of QPWS-managed areas for other reasons such as access and scenic and recreational flights.

Guidelines and policies

QPWS will only support an application to land an aircraft on an airstrip where the airstrip meets requirements set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (Comm.) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia guidelines for small aeroplane or helicopter landing areas (whichever is relevant).

All applications to land an aircraft or recreational craft in a QPWS-managed area are also subject to assessment against the following general criteria:

• impacts on natural and cultural values;
• impacts on other uses;
• impacts on management interests; and
• safety and equity.

Applications may have to address additional criteria where landings are in areas that have special management arrangements.

Operational policy: Landing aircraft and recreational craft in QPWS-managed areas
Information sheet: Landing aircraft or recreational craft in QPWS-managed areas
Information sheet: Tourism and visitor management permit update

Pre-design conference service

If you are considering applying for a permit to land an aircraft or recreational craft seek a meeting with the local QPWS District Manager about the proposal before making formal application.

Permits and approvals

Under section 25 of the Forestry Regulation 1998, section 82(2) of the Nature Conservation Regulation 1994 and section 19 of the Recreation Areas Management By-Law 1991 it is an offence to land an aircraft or recreational craft in a QPWS-managed area without a permit or written approval to do so (except in an emergency).

Forms and fees

At present no fees are charged for aircraft or recreational craft landings in QPWS-managed areas, except where such landings represent a component of a commercial activity in a QPWS-managed area.

Application form: Permit to land aircraft or use recreational craft

Last updated: 09 February 2007

Recreational uses

• Approval to take a live animal into a protected area
• Approval to take flowers onto EPA managed areas
• Bushwalking registration
• Conditional registration of vehicles on QPWS managed areas
• Group activities
• Hang gliding
• Landing aircraft or recreational craft
• Obtain a development approval
• Recreational fishing
• Special activities
• Vehicle permits