Equipment to take and staying safe

Be prepared with the right equipment

Camping is a fun activity when you are well prepared and take the right equipment, so remember to pack the following items:

• waterproof tent, poles and pegs
• blade or screw-style pegs and mallet
• bags for rubbish and storage
• drinking water
• sufficient non-perishable food and other supplies
• cooking utensils
• sleeping bag and mat, swag or other bedding
• suitable clothing and sturdy shoes
• wet weather gear, such as a raincoat or waterproof jacket
• insect repellent
• hat and sunscreen
• suitable first-aid kit
• binoculars and camera
• map and compass
• torch for walking at night
• broadcast radio (for weather forecasts) and spare batteries
• two-way radio and/or satellite phone, plus extra fuel (if you intend camping in remote places).

It's a good idea to pack a gas or liquid fuel stove/barbecue, fuel and waterproof matches for camping trips. Open fires are prohibited in some parks. Find out more about camp fires, fuel stoves and barbecues.

Stay safe

Be aware of potential dangers and take care of yourself.

• Plan carefully and make sure your camping equipment and vehicle or boat is in good working order before leaving home.
• Read signs and brochures carefully. Pay attention to any safety warnings.
• Supervise your children, especially near water and fireplaces and in areas with potentially dangerous wildlife.
• Be wary of wild animals, including crocodiles, marine stingers (dangerous stinging jellyfish), snakes, dingoes, cassowaries , and feral pigs, cattle, horses and buffaloes.
• Never feed or provoke wild animals.
• Keep food in locked containers or in your vehicle to keep it safe from wildlife.
• Be safe around camp fires. Extinguish fires whenever you leave your camp site unattended; use water, not sand, which retains heat and can cause severe burns.
• Don't assume on-site water is safe to drink. Treat water before use.
• Keep food in locked containers or in your car to keep it safe from wildlife.
• Wear protective clothing to avoid sunburn, bites, scratches and stings.

Protect yourself when camping on island national parks by taking these steps.

• Take extra supplies in case you get stranded by sudden changes in the weather.
• Be aware of tidal variations and strong currents. Anchor boats securely.
• Be alert for sudden weather changes, particularly storms and cyclones. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
• Carry a marine band radio and transceiver as many sites are out of mobile phone range.

Minimise your impact

Queensland's parks and forests are special places. Please help care for the environment by following these simple rules.

• Help to prevent the spread of weeds and pests. Check your vehicle, camping equipment and clothing to ensure they are clean before entering parks and forests. For more information watch the stop the spread of weeds web clip.
• Help reduce the risk of wildfires and burn injuries by using a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
• Only light fires in parks where it is permitted and use the fireplaces and fire rings provided.
• Never collect firewood or kindling from the park. Even dead branches are protected.
• Remember, plants and animals are protected. Try not to trample plants when walking or erecting your tent. Use your poles, not trees, to support tent ropes and lines.
• In bush camps where there are no toilets, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks and water bodies.
• In some parks you may need to bring a portable toilet if you are camping in areas without facilities. Empty the waste into special portable toilet disposal facilities. Check whether the park you are visiting has this facility. Never empty portable toilet waste into standard toilets.
• Take all rubbish home. Disposing of rubbish in fireplaces is an offence.

Enjoy the peace and be considerate of others. Leave generators, compressors and stereos at home.

Smoking restrictions in national parks

Smoking restrictions apply on Queensland’s national parks. Smoking restrictions in parks are one of many Queensland Health initiatives to reduce smoking rates in Queensland, limit people’s exposure to second-hand smoke and make more outdoor places smoke-free.

Every year 3700 smokers in Queensland die from smoking-related diseases. Even passive smoking—breathing in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes—can adversely affect your health causing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

For the benefit of all park visitors, smoking is prohibited within 10 metres of most visitor facilities in national parks. This includes any picnic table, barbecue, shelter shed, toilet, campsite, information centre, jetty, landing stage (such as pontoons) or boat ramp.

It doesn’t mean you cannot smoke or use e-cigarettes when visiting parks—it means you cannot smoke or vape close to facilities that visitors use, where people commonly gather. These restrictions will protect the health and well-being of park visitors.

The smoking restrictions are part of Queensland Health’s changes to smoking laws in the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998, to make public places smoke-free. On-the-spot fines can apply.