Off-Track overnight legalities?

[Sam-H]

I'm looking at doing a few week long off track bushwalks/hikes.

I am yet to pick locations or such and i am kinda confused as to what is legal in different areas.

For example, i am under the impression that you can't build camp fires in a national park but im not entirely sure. Government sites are next to impossible to find anything on and searching these forums hasn't really helped either.

So i would greatly appreciate it if someone could quickly brief me on what is legal and what is not in State Forests, National Parks and any other areas i might want to go.

Thanks, sam.

[Joel]

Which state are you talking about?

In Tasmania, no fires in NP's or WHA's.

State forest you can pretty much do what ever the hell you want.

[Sam-H]

Queensland.

[isoma]

Sam-H,
I think you'll find there are no fires allowed in Qld NPs or WHAs either.
Interested to hear what areas you're looking at though - there aren' t too many genuine weeklong offtrack walks up this way.

[Sam-H]

Sam-H,
I think you'll find there are no fires allowed in Qld NPs or WHAs either.
Interested to hear what areas you're looking at though - there aren' t too many genuine weeklong offtrack walks up this way.

Yeah i'm seeing this. luckily im happy to just do a walk out on day 1 and a walk back on the last day and make it more of a camping trip.

[johnw]

I'm not from QLD, only done a bit of daywalking around the SE, but found this:

Bush camping
Bush camping (with few or no facilities) is allowed in some parks. Bush campers must camp well away from streams and lakes and any walking tracks and picnic areas. Camper numbers are limited and open fires are usually banned.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/activities_in_parks_and_forests/index.html

It's a good idea to pack a gas or liquid fuel stove for camping trips. Open fires are prohibited in some parks. Where fires are allowed, firewood may not be supplied. Collecting firewood from the bush is not allowed.

In parks where campfires are allowed, make sure you completely extinguish all fires (with water, not sand or dirt) before leaving an area or going to bed. Even a few glowing embers can start a wildfire. Heavy fines may apply if campfires or other unshielded flames are left unattended.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/activities_in_parks_and_forests/camping/index.html

Even where fires may be permitted, it sounds like they really prefer you to use a fuel stove. Personally, I find that a lot more convenient anyway.

If you look up the relevant park/forest reserve from this page it often states whether fires are allowed or banned, though looks like they're banned in most NPs:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/comparison.php

Good luck with your trip. Come back and let us know how it went.

[Sam-H]

Thanks, i found similar information but it didn't mention fires. Another question i have is that i don't know where you can go off track legally?
im assuming NPs and state forrests, but where else?

another question ive got is water.... assuming 2 litres of water a day (which probably isn't much) that would mean id need to carry 14L of water...

[Turtle81]

id need to carry 14L of water...

that’s why you choose areas with streams/water available that you collect as you go, most areas you should be able to find water at least every 2nd day to refill ... unless you are walking in the dessert? Research the area before you go.
and don’t forget to treat the water if you’re not sure about it unless you want the runs!

[DaveGwy]

Yeah, like turtle said, the amount of water you'd need to carry with you would change depending on where you were walking. For e.g. in Lamington, you might only need 2L for the day, whereas, say, Mistake Mtns you may need to carry 6L to account for 2 days between water spots and hot walking, etc.