No products in the cart.
Return To Shop
If you’re on Camping Plus’s website, it probably means you love camping, right? And so do we. But in this day and age, with the increase in popularity of camping, we need to take extra care in preserving the natural spaces we’re camping in. In this guide to environmentally friendly camping, Camping Plus shows you how to make the most out of your next camping adventure while leaving no trace on the environment:
Plan your adventure
Make sure you do your research on the location you’ll be camping in, look up the campsite’s website, or at least do a Google search. You can also search for blog’s that like-minded campers have written, these can be some of the most helpful resources. They give you first-hand knowledge and reviews of campgrounds, walking tracks or waterfalls. We also recommend considering the time of year that you’ll be camping, as some periods can be significantly busier than others (such as school holidays). These high-volume periods are when natural environments are destroyed and it’s best to plan your visit for a quieter part of the year.
Prepare for your adventure
As well as researching the campground, make sure you’re adequately prepared for the particular campground or national park, by informing yourself of the rules of camping there. For example, some campgrounds allow domestic animals; however, most national parks do not. It’s always best to check first to ensure that you don’t endanger the native wildlife.
We also recommend creating a list of essential items that can help you to reduce your impact while ensuring that you’re not caught out without a torch.
Camp only in established campsites
You should always aim to camp only in designated camping areas, so as to preserve the natural environment. The national parks and wildlife services of each State and Territory do a wonderful job at creating and maintaining sustainable natural spaces for you to enjoy. Stick to these areas instead of creating your own campsite and potentially destroying endangered flora and fauna. Established campsites often also have waste management facilities so it’s easier to achieve an environmentally friendly camping by leaving no trace.
Don’t take from the environment
An important key to environmentally sustainable camping is to remember not to remove anything from the natural environment. Every ecosystem has a delicate balance and each entity has its purpose in the natural order of the ecosystem. You should remember not to remove or displace any plants, rocks or other natural materials from the ecosystem.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Correct disposal of waste is essential to an environmentally friendly camping trip and should be at the top of every camper’s mind when enjoying the great outdoors. Do not leave any rubbish or materials in a natural environment. If you bring waste in, you should always ensure that you bring it out of the campground. Unless there are adequate waste management facilities provided.
It’s also handy to note that any human waste should be buried at least 50 meters away from any body of water, and buried at least 20 centimeters in the ground to avoid the contamination of our pristine waterways.
Only light fires where permitted:
A lot of national parks in Australia do not permit fires in particular seasons of the year, due to dry conditions and the high risk of the fire spreading. The effects of having a campfire catch onto the natural environment can be devastating and this is a very serious point. Ensure that you check the fire danger rating at your campsite before proceeding to light a fire. Even where permitted, we recommend only small fires and ensure that you put the fire out completely when finished.
Be Mindful of Other Campers
When camping, often part of the enjoyment is to experience peace, quiet, and to enjoy the sounds of nature. Another key to environmentally friendly camping, is to keep noise pollution to a minimum. Be respectful of other campers and their right to enjoy the great outdoors without hearing the latest pop song blaring from the tent next to them.
Respect Native Wildlife
We’re extremely fortunate to have an array of unique wildlife in Australia. It’s important when camping in the natural environment to ensure that you respect the native wildlife. Don’t approach or follow native animals or attempt to feed them as it can be dangerous to you and the animal.
These are just some of the keys that you can use to enjoy environmentally sustainable camping on your next adventure. Keep in mind that not all of the keys recommended in this guide will apply to you and your camping trip. It’s important to realistically assess your camping trip and make informed decisions based on the circumstances. Work out how to best be environmentally friendly, without going overboard. The most important part of environmentally friendly camping is to enjoy yourself while maintaining a healthy respect for the natural environment.
If you’re planning your next sustainable adventure in the great outdoors and need camping equipment, gear or just professional advice, our team at Camping Plus have everything you need. Come and see us at our Gold Coast store today or buy online!
Leave a reply