Caring for the Alps
The Australian Alps are a fragile environment containing plants and animals found nowhere else.
The natural values and recreation opportunities available in the Alps attract more than 2 million visitors to the region annually. Growing visitor numbers to the Alps national parks is placing increased pressure on the areas' natural and cultural heritage.
Without action to minimise the damage to the natural environment in the future there may be a need to place restrictions on visitors.
What you can do to help?
No matter what kind of activities you enjoy in the Alps, you can minimise the impacts you have on the environment, other visitors and park staff by following some simple guidelines:
Plan Ahead
Think before your trip — about weather, equipment and safety
Weather conditions in the mountains can change rapidly without warning – snow can fall at any time of the year.
Make sure you'll be safe and comfortable throughout your trip by knowing where you are going, what you need to take and what you need to do.
Stay On Track
Even if it's muddy or dusty – Don't widen tracks or take shortcuts
Whether you are walking, riding or driving, follow all formed tracks:
- don't cut corners or travel right on the edges – this makes tracks wider and increases the impact on the bush
- don't take shortcuts – shortcuts cause erosions and scars on the landscape and may confuse people as to which is the real path
Carry It In, Carry It Out
Whatever it is – Don't burn, bury or leave anything
Most rubbish does not decompose, even if it is buried or burnt.
Always do the right thing, carry rubbish bags with you to take out everything you bring in. And if you really care, collect any litter you see during your trip.
Got To ‘Go’?
Use a toilet or take a walk – at least 100 paces from water and campsites. Dig 15cm deep and cover well
With so many people visiting the Alps - and the potential for spread of infectious diseases (such as giardia and hepatitis A) - the management of human waste is a serious issue.
Use A Fuel Stove
Quicker and cleaner for you – better for the bush
Compared to campfires fuel stoves are quicker and easier to use, especially in wet weather. Collecting firewood disturbs and destroys the habitat of many of the Alps' tiny plants and animals.
If you must have a fire use an existing fire place and keep it small. Always ensure a fire is out before you leave. Do not light fires above or near the tree line
Escaped campfires have led to disastrous bushfires.
Respect Heritage
Heritage places are a link to memories of people and the past
Within the Australian Alps there are many sites, places and landscapes with Aboriginal and European historic cultural heritage value.
Please do not souvenir any articles or artefacts and leave hut environs undisturbed.
Leave No Trace
Walk, drive, camp, ski, climb, paddle — whatever you do
Respect the traditional Aboriginal owners and their country as well as other visitors by aiming to leave the area as you found it.
It's all about caring for the Alps now – then they'll be just as wonderful in the future.
More information
For more detailed, commonsense information to help you stay safe and protect the natural and cultural environment of the Australian alps see:
- Caring for the Alps - leave no trace
- Bushwalking code
- Car-based camping code
- Cycling code
- Horse riding code
- Huts code
- River users code
- Snow-camping code
Walkers enjoying a treck among snow gums in one of the Australian Alps National Parks.
Photo: E.Beaton
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