Responsible Camping: A Practical Guide to Leave No Trace in Australia

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Camping in a way that doesn’t damage or destroy the environment seems like a no-brainer. Most of us head into the bush because we value the outdoors, but as our national parks face record pressure, the “sentiment” of being eco-friendly isn’t enough—it requires specific action.

Over the years, I’ve seen that responsible camping isn’t a priority for everyone. I’m the first to admit I’m still learning but I’ve become passionate about a few core outdoor ethics that keep our national parks pristine.

These principles are the foundation for every trip I take, whether I’m car-camping at Girraween National Park or hiking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Here is how to apply the Leave No Trace principles to the Australian bush.

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THE GROWING PRESSURE ON OUR AUSSIE BUSH

Why should we care about responsible camping? Simple: because Australia has, quite literally, gone camping.

Since 2020, the Australian camping landscape has shifted permanently.

In 2024, Australians alone took 15.2 million caravan and camping trips—and 90% of those nights were spent in regional Australia. (Source: Australian Trade and Investment Commission)

But with record numbers comes record pressure on our favourite spots.

In states like Queensland where you can camp year-round, leaving rubbish and other nasties is no longer the rare incident—it’s a major problem, especially in super popular spots like Noosa’s North Shore.

But beyond the rubbish, issues like excessive noise, antisocial behaviour and the sheer overuse of sensitive camping areas are growing causes for concern.

For those of us who love the traditional, independent style of camping, “Leave No Trace” is our way of doing our bit. It ensures our incredible places stay open, affordable, and just as ruggedly beautiful as the first time we saw them.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE MODERN CAMPER

I’ve loved camping ever since moving to Australia more than 25 years ago.

But often pulling into a campsite can feel a bit like a gamble. You never quite know what’s waiting for you: Rubbish left, neighbours who love their music more than bird song, or sites so cramped I feel like a sardine.

My approach to camping is fairly common sense, and it aligns with the global ‘Leave No Trace’ framework. These aren’t meant to be rigid rules, but rather a set of ethics to help make sure these places remain open, healthy, and available for all of us to use for years to come.

1. PLAN AHEAD: THE ART OF NOT “WINGING IT”

“Winging it” used to be the gold standard for an Aussie road trip, but with 15 million trips now being taken a year, showing up without a plan is a recipe for a stressful night—if it’s even possible (looking at you, parks pre-booking requirements).

Popular areas are usually popular for a reason but the overuse of these spots is a double-edged sword. It degrades the environment and frankly, ruins the experience for everyone else.

A few fairly obvious tips for a better trip:

• Go somewhere different. Give the “Top 10” a miss and find a national park, state forest, Hipcamp or free camp you’ve never been to before.
• Avoid peak periods. We made the silly decision of going to K’gari (Fraser Island) over Christmas one year—never again. If you do want to explore the popular spots, stick to mid-week or outside of school holidays.
• Check the fine print. Beyond just booking a site, check the recent park alerts. A surprise track closure or fire ban can derail a trip before you’ve even let the tyres down.

2. CAMP AND TRAVEL ON “TOUGH” GROUND

This guideline is all about attitude and awareness.

Trampling through the bush can destroy plants, soft soil and other vegetation, and increase erosion. It’s not always avoidable but if you think about reducing your physical impact on your surroundings, you’re halfway there.

Here’s what this means practically:

• Stick to the designated spots. Most national parks have camping areas for a reason. If you’re bush camping, aim for harder ground and avoid soft soil or fragile vegetation.
• Stay on formed tracks. It’s tempting to explore offtrack or cut corners, but that’s how tracks widen and wash out, especially in popular areas.
• Spread out in the backcountry. When you’re in remote areas, disperse your camp and walking routes so you’re not creating permanent new scars on the landscape.
• Trees aren’t infrastructure (my pet-peeve). Avoid breaking branches for “views” or tying ropes and rubbish bags to tree trunks. It can damage the bark and invite pests and diseases.

3. IF YOU PACK IT, PACK IT OUT

This shouldn’t require much explanation.

Don’t leave your rubbish behind—none of it. Take it all home and sort it into your own bins. That’s it.

A few practical reminders:

• Food scraps are still rubbish. Don’t dump leftovers or scraps in fire pits. It’s a mess for the next camper and it habituates wildlife to scavenge where they shouldn’t. Oh, and metal cans don’t burn. Ever.
• Manage your gear “explosions”. If a storm shreds your tent or gazebo, don’t leave the wreckage behind to the next camper or park rangers to deal with. Take the broken bits with you.
• Minimise packaging before you leave home. Putting food into reusable containers before you pack the car means you have far less rubbish to take home.

4. MANAGING GREY WATER AND THE “UNMENTIONABLES” IN THE BUSH

So waste isn’t just your rubbish bags; it’s also your grey water (from dishes or washing) and, of course, toilet waste.

GREY WATER

This includes anything from dishwater to the water you use to brush your teeth. Even “biodegradable” soaps can seep into the soil and contaminate waterways if not managed properly.

A few handy tips for managing your grey water:

• Minimise suds. You don’t really need a sink full of bubbles to get a plate clean.
• Go soap-free when you can. On overnight hikes, we often just use gritty sand or a cloth to wipe dishes clean. It saves weight and keeps chemicals out of the soil entirely. You can usually get away with no detergent for a couple of days.
• The 50m Rule. If you are using biodegradable soap, like Sea to Summit’s Wilderness Wash, make sure you are at least 50m away from any water source.
• Scatter your water. Don’t keep dumping your basin in the same spot for three days. Scatter it widely to give the soil a chance to filter it.

HUMAN WASTE

Ideally, camp where there are toilets. One of the first things I check when planning a trip to a national park is the toilet situation; we’ve actually skipped a few spots in the past because there were no facilities nearby.

If you are heading to a remote spot or beach camping, you either need to bring a portable toilet or be prepared to bury waste properly.

In remote areas, we use a BioToi—it’s a simple folding stool that uses biodegradable brown BioBags (fun fact: used by the Norwegian military). It’s lightweight and packs easily, doesn’t involve a “chemical bomb” tank, and you don’t have to hunt for a dump point—you just dispose of the bag responsibly.

If you do need to bury human waste:

• Find a private spot. Walk well away from camp, tracks, and at least 100m from any water.
• Dig deep. Use a shovel/trowel to go at least 15cm deep (or 50cm in sand).
• Pack out the extras. This is the part people hate to hear, but it’s the most important: Pack out your toilet paper. While it’s technically biodegradable, in the dry Australian bush or the humid tropics, TP can take years to fully decompose. There is nothing worse than arriving at a lovely remote campsite only to find scraps of white paper stuck in the scrub (another pet-peeve).
  • The hygiene kit: Use a dedicated heavy-duty zip-lock bag for used paper and feminine hygiene products (never bury them!).
  • The “privacy” trick: If the sight is off-putting, wrap the outside of the bag in duct tape or use a small, opaque dry bag. I know it’s gross but it’s a small price to pay for keeping the bush beautiful.
• Portable Toilets: If you use a folding stool with BioBags, check local regulations. While some composting long-drops allow them, many national parks require you to take the sealed bags out to a general waste bin to protect the sensitive bacterial balance of their systems. It can be quite confusing so when it doubt, just take it with you (use a separate container for your “poo bags”). National parks are also not approved dump points for chemical toilets so find one elsewhere.

5. KEEP WILDLIFE WILD

I grew up feeding ducks bread at local ponds.

Looking back now, I’m horrified that this was our “normal” back then. We know so much more now about how our interaction—no matter how well-intentioned—can actually wreck the wild balance.

Here’s how to actually respect our native wildlife:

• Look but don’t touch (or feed). I don’t care how “insta-worthy” the shot is, keep the snacks to yourself. Feeding bananas or chocolate to kangaroos might seem like a bit of fun but it’s a death sentence for their guts. Plus, you have no idea what diseases an animal might be carrying—or what you might be passing to them.
• Don’t create a “campground nuisance”. When we feed wildlife, they get habituated and dependent on us. This how you end up with aggressive brush turkeys that won’t leave your rubbish alone. It’s not “cute” when an animal becomes a nuisance and has to be managed or relocated because of humans.
• Store your food and rubbish away. Do not leave food scraps or rubbish bags lying around your campsite. Goannas, brush turkeys and mice can be lightning-fast at snatching food scraps (sadly, I speak from experience here).
• Give them space. You’re a guest in their lounge room. If an animal is changing its behaviour because you’re there, you’re too close. Use binoculars or a long lens if you’re serious about wildlife photography—don’t crowd them for a phone snap.
• Leave your fur-babies at home. This is a big one in Australia. Dogs and cats are a hard “no” in our National Parks. Even the scent of a predator can stress out native species. If you’re heading to a state forest, always double-check the rules before you head out with a your pooch.

6. PROTECT THE PEACE

I really struggle with noise, especially when I’m outdoors. For me, being in the bush is my respite from the busyness of life; it’s where I go to feel grounded and refreshed.

When I’m out there, I want to hear the “natural concert”—the wind swishing through the trees, birds chirping like mad, waves crashing, or a wallaby hopping through the underbrush.

I do not want to hear your music. Or your partying. Most people head into the great outdoors to find peace, so please be mindful of how your “fun” affects everyone else’s “freedom”.

• Sound travels further than you think. Minimise your noise. Be aware of the impact loud music or group shenanigans have on fellow campers. Remember, loud noise doesn’t just annoy people; it can seriously disturb wildlife, too.
• Leave the site better than you found it. When you leave, make sure your campsite is clean. Nobody wants to arrive at their “peaceful escape” only to find your rubbish left behind.
• Drone with a conscience. Follow the regulations. Never fly over people, and think very carefully before launching at campgrounds, picnic areas or busy lookouts. Drones must be at least 30m away from people—they are noisy, they stress out birds, and they can impact the sanctity of Indigenous cultural sites.
• Keep the “Wild” in wilderness. If you absolutely must have music, use headphones. Let the rest of us enjoy the silence we came so far to find.

We’re reluctant to examine our personal behaviours, least of all in the wilderness where, to many, a sense of freedom is paramount.

Outdoors Queensland

7. THINK BEFORE YOU STRIKE

In Queensland, having a campfire seems to be synonymous with camping. But honestly, seeing people light fires in 30°C heat is a bit beyond me—winter is the only time it feels right—but regardless of the temperature, safety is non-negotiable.

Be sure you’re actually allowed to light a campfire in the first place. Check whether there are campfire restrictions in the national park and whether there are any current fire bans.

Most of us are all too familiar with the devastating effects of bushfires. A fire raged on K’gari (Fraser Island) for two months in late 2020, destroying half of the island’s protected vegetation—all because of an illegal, unattended campfire.

My Tip: Use a camping stove or an off-the-ground brazier where possible. They are far more sustainable, safer and often allowed when ground fires are banned.

If you are allowed to have a fire, you must be campfire safe:

• Check for fire bans. Always check the National Park alerts and local fire services before you strike a match.
• Bring your own firewood. Collecting wood in Australian National Parks is prohibited, this includes kindling. Dead wood is a “home,” not “fuel”—it provides vital habitat for native critters. (You can generally collect in State Forests, but always check first).
• Use designated fireplaces. Use a fire ring or existing fireplace. If there isn’t one, use a previous fire site rather than charring a fresh patch of earth.
• Keep it small. Avoid massive blazes that can char nearby trees or send embers flying into the bush on a gust of wind.
• Never leave it unattended. Fires get out of control faster than you can think. If you aren’t sitting right there, it shouldn’t be burning.
• Drown it, don’t just dust it. Ensure the fire is dead-cold by pouring water on it (your grey water is great for this). We’ve personally been able to start fires just from the glowing embers left by previous campers—don’t leave that risk behind.

For more technical details, check out Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (PDF) or Queensland National Parks.

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WHY THIS MATTERS (TO YOU AND ME)

Ready to put these principles into practice? Check out my list of the 17 best weekend camping spots near Brisbane.

Responsible camping is up to all of us. It’s how we make sure we can keep enjoying the “natural concert” for years to come. If we don’t take care, it’s not just the environment that suffers—it’s our own mental and physical health, and the health of the generations coming after us when areas get closed or destroyed.

Remember, this isn’t really about following a set of rigid rules; it’s about making the best possible decisions for yourself, the bush, and our future every time you head outdoors.

FURTHER READING: For more on the ethics of exploring our wild places, I suggest checking out the guide to Leave No Trace principles over at Outdoors Queensland.

Let’s leave the places we visit exactly as we found them—or maybe even a little bit better. 🙂

Happy camping,

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