Leave No Trace: How To Camp Responsibly

The easiest way to reduce your impact starts before you leave.

Good planning isn’t just about convenience, it’s what keeps small problems from turning into bigger ones. When things go wrong, people take shortcuts, and that’s when damage happens. 

Start with the essentials:

• Choose a trip that matches your group’s ability

• Check weather and local conditions

• Know the route and allow extra time

• Bring the right gear, including first aid and navigation

Be clear with expectations. Make sure everyone in your group understands the plan and what’s required.

Being prepared also means knowing when to stop or turn back. Pushing on in poor conditions often leads to rushed decisions, compromised safety and unnecessary impact on the environment.

A bit of planning before leaving home makes it easier to follow Leave No Trace principles once you’re out there.

If you hit a section of trail without a formed track, avoid non-durable ground where possible. 

Fragile surfaces include:

• Soft plants

• Loose soil

• Boggy sites

• Stream edges

These environments can take years to recover if damaged. 

The same thinking applies to campsites. Use established spots where possible. They’re already impacted and usually safer and flatter.

Keep camps at least 50 metres (about 70 steps) from water. These areas, called riparian zones, are fragile and critical for wildlife.

Properly handling all waste is a key part of responsible camping.

Washing up

Keep all washing well away from rivers and lakes.

• Carry water at least 50–70 metres from the source

• Use minimal biodegradable soap, only if needed

• Never wash directly in waterways

Even biodegradable soap can harm aquatic life. It breaks down in soil, not directly in water. Washing on land allows the ground to filter it naturally.

Food scraps and rubbish

Pack out everything you bring in, including food scraps.

• Strain dishwater scraps into your rubbish

• Don’t throw leftovers into the bush

• Carry all waste out with you

Food scraps attract pests like rats and possums, spread disease, and change animal behaviour.

Cathole method

For human waste, use a cathole:

• Walk 50 metres away from water, trails, and camp

• Dig a hole 15-20 centimetres deep

• Cover and disguise it after use

Always pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.

A campfire can be fun, but it’s also one of the biggest sources of impact.

Where possible, use a stove. It’s cleaner, faster, and leaves no trace.

If you do build a campfire:

• Use existing fire sites if possible

• Keep it small

• Burn only dead, downed wood

• Burn everything to ash

Campfire remains are an eyesore and can stick around long after you’ve left. Take the time to reduce or remove any visible trace.

Avoid creating new fire sites where possible. If needed, a mound fire (on sand or gravel) reduces ground damage.

Before you leave:

• Smother the fire completely

• Stir the ashes

• Check for heat with your hand

If it’s not cold, it’s not out.

Wildlife encounters are a highlight of any trip, but they come with responsibility.

Never feed animals. Even scraps like fruit peels can:

• Introduce harmful bacteria

• Change animal behaviour

• Encourage dependence on humans

• Attract birds to carparks and roads, putting them at risk

Leaving food behind or feeding wildlife might seem harmless, but it creates long-term problems for native species.

Sharing the outdoors means being aware of the people around you and how you affect their experience. A bit of awareness goes a long way.

Farmland

Leave gates as you find them Move quietly and don’t disturb stock Stick to marked access routes

Huts

Make space for others, especially in bad weather Keep noise low, especially early/late Be mindful of bright lights at night—use the red or low mode on your head torch Before you leave, pack out all rubbish, sweep the floor and wipe down surfaces Replenish firewood and kindling

Leave huts better than you found them for the next person.

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor guidelines designed to reduce human impact on nature. It focuses on planning ahead, managing waste properly, respecting wildlife, and leaving natural areas unchanged. The goal is simple: enjoy the outdoors without leaving visible or lasting evidence of your visit.

What are the golden rules of camping?

The core rules of responsible camping include planning ahead, camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, minimising campfire impact, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of others. These align closely with Leave No Trace principles and help protect both the environment and the camping experience.

Can you leave a campfire burning in the wilderness?

No. A campfire should never be left unattended or burning when you leave. Even small fires can spread quickly and cause serious damage. Always fully extinguish your fire using water, stir the ashes, and confirm it is completely cold before leaving the site.

How can you stop a fire from spreading while camping?

Keep your campfire small and controlled. Use existing fire sites, clear the area of flammable material, and avoid windy conditions. Always have water nearby. Before leaving or sleeping, fully extinguish the fire by drowning, stirring, and checking for remaining heat.

How to clean dishes on a camping trip?

Strain out food scraps and pack them out with your rubbish. Carry dishwater at least 50-70 metres away from water sources and scatter it on soil. Avoid washing directly in rivers or lakes, even with biodegradable soap, to protect water quality and ecosystems.

How to make your camping trip more eco-friendly?

Focus on sustainable camping habits like reducing packaging, packing out all waste, using a stove instead of a campfire where possible, and sticking to established campsites.

How to use the bathroom while camping?

If no toilet is available, dig a cathole 15-20 centimetres deep at least 50 metres from water, trails, and camp. Cover it after use and pack out toilet paper. Proper waste disposal helps prevent contamination and keeps campsites clean for others.