The seven principles of Leave No Trace build awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage.
1. Plan ahead and prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you will visit
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use
- Walk in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6
- Repackage food to minimise waste
- Take maps and a compass or a GPS, and know how to use them to eliminate the use of flagging tape or rock cairns
2. Walk and camp on durable surfaces
- Durable camping surfaces include established campsites, tent platforms, rock, gravel and sand
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. If you use rocks to secure tents, return them to their place when you leave.
- Protect water sources – camp at least 50 metres from lakes and streams
- Protect plant life – avoid the spread of phytophthora and other soil-borne diseases by keeping boots, camping equipment and vehicle tyres clean
In frequently used areas:
- Concentrate use on existing tracks and campsites
- Always walk on tracks, even when it is wet or muddy, so damage is kept to a narrow band
In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and tracks
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning
3. Dispose of waste properly
- Pack it in, pack it out. Check your campsite and rest areas for rubbish and spilled food. Pack out all rubbish and leftover food
- If there is a toilet, use it. Otherwise bury all faecal waste and toilet paper in holes 15-20cm deep at least 100m from water, camps and tracks. Cover and disguise the hole when finished
- Carry out any sanitary pads, tampons and condoms
- Wash up using hot water, preferably without soap or detergent. Strain and scatter washing up water 50 metres away from water sources
- Wash your body at least 50m from water sources
4. Leave what you find
- Respect Aboriginal sites and other sites of cultural significance
- Preserve our past: examine but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artefacts
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them
5. Minimise campfire impacts – use a fuel stove
- Many parts of Tasmania are Fuel Stove Only Areas. In these areas fires are not permitted. Carry and use a fuel stove
- Out of preference, use fuel stoves even where fires are permitted. Escaped campfires have caused landscape wide damage, and can threaten human, animal and plant life
- If lighting a fire (where permitted) use only established fire places and keep the fire small
6. Respect wildlife
- Keep wildlife wild. Feeding animals can turn them into pests and may make them sick
- Store food and rubbish securely to prevent wildlife finding it
- Observe wildlife from a distance
7. Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors
- Respect Aboriginal culture and country
- Respect the wishes and regulations of all hosts (eg Aboriginal, pastoral, land managers and locals)
- Only visit places where you have obtained appropriate permission
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience
- Let natural sounds prevail – avoid loud voices and noises