Gone Without a Trace
As someone who loves spending time in nature, it’s disheartening to see the lack of respect that some people show towards our environment when camping. While camping can be a wonderful experience, it’s crucial that we treat our surroundings with care and consideration, so that we can continue to enjoy them for generations to come.
One of the most basic ways to show respect is by properly managing campfires. It’s important to ensure that your fire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite. This means making sure that it’s safe to touch before you leave. Simply covering it with sand is not enough, as it can trap heat underground and become a danger to unsuspecting visitors. Instead, douse the fire with water until it’s no longer hot. If in doubt, always live by the golden rule with campfires.
If it’s not safe to touch, it’s not safe to leave.
The other major thing we see a lot when out camping is rubbish. When camping, always make sure to dispose of rubbish properly. This applies not just to campsites but also to four-wheel-drive tracks as well. Leaving rubbish on the ground or burning it is not acceptable, as it can harm the environment and wildlife, and pose a danger to other visitors. So, always take responsibility for your waste and dispose of it properly. Take the time to dispose of your rubbish in designated areas or bring it back with you when you leave.
Finally, it’s important to follow proper procedures when nature calls. If a campsite doesn’t have a drop toilet, go at least 60 meters away from all water sources, trails, and campsites. Choose a spot that’s less traveled, near thick undergrowth, or downed timber. Dig a hole that’s about 15-20cm deep and 15cm in diameter with a shovel and fill the hole with the dirt you dug out. Disguise the hole with rocks or dead vegetation, but avoid placing a large rock on top, as it can hinder the breakdown of the waste.
These simple guidelines are something we all should strive to follow. So that we can all do our part to preserve and protect our environment while enjoying the beauty of nature. Let’s all work together to ensure that future generations can enjoy the great outdoors just as we do. It’s because people haven’t been respecting the bush and following these simple guidelines that the Government is considering permit systems in order to just go camping. At the end of the day, we’re all responsible for keeping the bush clean and if you’re reading this and you are one of the people who doesn’t follow these guidelines, remember it’s not just yourself that is affected by your actions. It’s everyone that you will end up ruining it for. Until next time.