General safety

Enjoy your visit, keep yourself safe and help look after our parks by following these tips.

Stay informed

Plan ahead

  • Check what facilities are provided and which activities are permitted in the park and forest you are planning to visit.
  • Ensure your vehicles, boats and equipment are safe and in good working order.
  • Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

Visit safely

For all emergencies call Triple Zero (000)

  • We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting a national park or forest.
  • Download the Triple Zero emergency app—to help identify your location.
  • Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.
  • Mobile phone coverage is not available in many of our parks and forests.
  • Consider taking a satellite phone, personal locator beacon (PLB) or another form of communication into areas that do not have good mobile phone coverage.
  • Take a first-aid kit and know how to use it.
  • Walk with care—know your limits and choose suitable walks.
  • Bring sufficient food and drinking water.
  • Treat all water that you collect in the park.
  • Be sun-smart.
  • Be wildlife aware—never feed, handle or play with wildlife.
  • Use personal insect repellent to protect yourself from scratches and insect bites and stings.

Visit softly

  • Remember smoking restrictions now apply!
  • Take your rubbish with you.
  • The use of chainsaws and firearms is not permitted.
  • Always camp with care—look after yourself and the environment.
  • Respect historic sites and First Nations peoples' culture—rock art and other culturally significant remnants within parks and forests are easily damaged and are irreplaceable.

Come clean, go clean

Everyone in Queensland has a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of a pest, disease or contaminant.

This includes the risk of introducing and spreading pest animals (e.g. fire ants, yellow crazy ants, cane toads, tilapia), pest plants (e.g. weeds), and pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora) to national parks and island national parks.

Pest plants and animals can hitch a ride on your footwear, clothing, boats, vehicles and gear.

Our national parks, including our precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area islands, need your help to remain pest-free.

Read more about what you can do to come clean and go clean.

Learn more about how to stay safe and visit with care