Leave No Trace and track etiquette: how to look after Australian parks and fellow walkers
Last updated: 1 November 2026
Australia's walking tracks are shared by millions of people each year. Small habits, multiplied by all those visits, decide whether a track stays beautiful or slowly wears down. This guide explains Leave No Trace and the unwritten rules of the track, so you can enjoy parks and help keep them that way.
The seven Leave No Trace principles
Leave No Trace is an international set of outdoor ethics, promoted in Australia by Leave No Trace Australia. Here's what each principle means on an Australian walk.
1. Plan ahead and prepare
Good planning prevents most problems. Check the official park page for alerts, permits, fees and track grades. Know how long the walk takes and pack the right gear. Book campsites where required. Our guides to what to pack and permits and fees are a good start.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Stick to the formed track, even when it's muddy. Walking around puddles widens tracks and damages plants. Don't cut corners on zig-zags, because shortcuts cause erosion. On multi-day walks such as the Three Capes Track, camp only in designated sites or huts.
3. Dispose of waste properly
"Pack it in, pack it out." Take all rubbish home, including food scraps like apple cores and orange peel. They take a long time to break down and attract animals. Use toilets where they're provided. Where there are none, go at least 100 metres from water, tracks and campsites, bury waste in a small hole about 15 cm deep, and carry out toilet paper and hygiene products. Some places, like parts of the Larapinta Trail or alpine areas, have specific toilet rules, so follow the park's advice.
4. Leave what you find
Leave rocks, plants, shells, wood and cultural objects where they are. Never carve or scratch rock or trees. Aboriginal sites, such as rock art and scarred trees, are protected by law and are deeply important to Traditional Owners.
5. Minimise campfire impacts
Many parks ban campfires altogether, and Total Fire Bans apply widely in summer. Use a fuel stove for cooking. Where fires are allowed, use existing fireplaces, keep fires small, use only dead fallen wood if collection is permitted, and put the fire out completely with water.
6. Respect wildlife
Watch animals from a distance. Never feed them. Human food makes animals sick, can make them aggressive, and on K'gari it's an offence to feed dingoes. Store food securely at camp, as possums and birds are expert thieves. Drive slowly at dawn and dusk on park roads.
7. Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors
Remember you're a guest on Country and in a shared space. Keep noise down, so others can hear birds and the bush. Let faster walkers pass. Leave gates as you find them. Share lookouts and photo spots.
Track etiquette in practice
Who gives way?
- On narrow tracks, walkers heading uphill usually have right of way, because it's harder to restart on a climb.
- Step to the side to let faster walkers pass.
- On shared trails, cyclists give way to walkers and everyone gives way to horses. Talk calmly when approaching horses so they know you're there.
Groups
Walk in single file on narrow tracks rather than spreading across them. Keep groups small where parks recommend it, and don't block lookouts or narrow sections for long.
Music and drones
Use headphones, not speakers. Drones are banned or need a permit in most national parks, so check before you fly.
Swimming spots
Many walks end at waterholes or falls. Wash off sunscreen and insect repellent if you can, and don't use soap in creeks. Obey swimming restrictions and croc warnings.
Respecting Country
Every park in Australia is on the Country of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. Respect requests from Traditional Owners, such as not climbing certain peaks or photographing particular sites. At Uluṟu, for example, the climb closed permanently in 2019, and walkers instead follow the Uluru Base Walk, where some sensitive sites ask that you don't take photos. Signs along many tracks explain cultural protocols.
Cleaning your gear
Plant diseases such as Phytophthora dieback spread in soil on boots and gear. In parts of WA, Tasmania and elsewhere you'll find boot-cleaning stations at track heads. Use them, and clean your boots between parks. In Tasmania, rangers also ask walkers to help stop the spread of chytrid fungus, which harms frogs.
Leave it better
If you have room, carry out a piece of litter you find. Report track damage, hazards or graffiti to the park agency. It all helps.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to feed birds or kangaroos just a little? No. Even small amounts of bread or processed food can harm native animals, and fed animals may become aggressive toward people.
Can I pick wildflowers? Not in national parks. Taking plants, seeds or flowers is prohibited, and in spring the wildflowers are there for everyone to enjoy.
What if there's no bin at the trailhead? Many parks deliberately have no bins. Bring a bag for your rubbish and take it home.
Can I build a rock stack or cairn? Please don't. Moving rocks disturbs habitat, and unofficial cairns can mislead other walkers.
Is it OK to walk off the track for a better photo? Stay on formed tracks and behind barriers. They protect fragile plants and keep you away from unstable cliff edges.