Enjoying Nature

• Be prepared if you plan to spend some time in the outdoors walking or hiking. Visit the ranger station or park information centre to obtain details on the best places to visit and any additional safety information.
• Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Let them know when you return safely.
• Check the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected changes in weather.
• Check the length and degree of difficulty of your planned walk. Consider using a local guide when taking long or difficult walks.
• Drink plenty of water (in warm weather allow at least one litre of water per hour of walking).
• Wear sturdy shoes and socks, a hat, sunscreen lotion, comfortable clothing and insect repellent. Other handy items for long bushwalks include food, warm clothing, first aid supplies, a torch and a map.
• Read maps and signs carefully. Stay on the track, stay behind safety barriers and stay away from cliff edges.
• Do not feed or play with native animals. You might get bitten or scratched.

• Limit your use of fire. Use a fuel stove for cooking (outside of tents). Never leave fires unattended or unconfined. Be aware of fire bans or restrictions in place.
• Cigarette butts cause bushfires. Do not drop them or throw them out of your car. Evacuate the area immediately if you see a bush fire.
• Avoid serious burns by always extinguishing campfires with water, not dirt or sand.

• There are many venomous snakes and spiders in Australia. If you see a snake, do not interfere with it. Take another path.
  
• While many spiders are relatively harmless, the funnel-web spider is deadly, and white-tail and red-back spiders can inflict painful bites, and present mortal danger to children. Treat all spider bites with great caution and seek immediate medical advice.

Mosquitoes, flies, sandflies and other insects are common throughout Australia.

• Use an insect repellent to deter insects, and wear appropriate clothing when insects are prevalent.
• There is a number of mosquito borne diseases known to occur throughout Australia. Ross River Virus (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) and Dengue Fever are three of the more common ones.
  

In the north of Australia, crocodiles are common in rivers, waterways and estuaries and in coastal waters.

• Read and obey warning signs.
• As a general rule do not swim in creeks, rivers, billabongs in northern Australia where crocodiles are prevalent.