Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

Tomek Z Genek © Qld Govt Coochin Creek camping area, Beerwah State Forest Be prepared Packing checklist q Adequate drinking water, food and emergency supplies. q Complete first-aid kit including sun and insect protection. q Detailed map showing travel routes and distances. q Campers: reliable camping gear in good working order. q Sturdy rubbish bags and/or sealable, animal-proof containers. No bins are provided. q Long distance walkers: take a topographic map, compass and personal location beacon (PLB). Your safety In dangerous high fire, wet weather and high wind conditions, walking tracks, roads and other areas may be closed—check qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts for current closures. In the case of an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000). Camping It’s best to book well in advance as camp sites in popular parks are in great demand during peak periods such as long weekends and school holidays. Book your camp sites and obtain camping permits before you arrive. • Go to qld.gov.au/Camping using a payment card or camping credit. • Visit an over-the-counter permit booking office accepting cash, eftpos and payment card or use self- service kiosk. Locations are listed at qld.gov.au/CampingBookingOffices Be safe • Choose recreational activities to suit your fitness and skills and be suitably prepared. • Allow plenty of time to reach your planned destination before dark. • Stay well back from cliff edges and waterfalls. • Never dive or jump into creeks, waterholes or lakes. • Never attempt mountain walks or summit routes in wet weather—rock surfaces become dangerously slippery. • Wear sturdy boots, protective clothing and insect repellent to avoid bites, scratches and stings. • Treat all water from taps, creeks and lakes. Boil water for 10min or use sterilisation tablets. • Remember mobile phone coverage is limited in most parks away from the coast. Inform family or friends of your planned itinerary. Be responsible • Rubbish—pack it in, pack it out. Take all rubbish (including food scraps, cigarette butts and sanitary items) with you. • Stay on formed tracks and do not take shortcuts. • Where permitted, light campfires only within existing fire rings. Bring your own clean, milled firewood. • Avoid the spread of weeds by checking clothing and equipment regularly for seeds. • Be frog-friendly—do not disturb, handle or remove frogs, their eggs or tadpoles and don’t disturb or remove rocks or trample vegetation near creeks. • Leave your pets at home. • Don’t feed wildlife. • Wash away from streams, gullies and watercourses, minimising use of soap and detergent. • Where toilets are not provided, bury all faecal waste and toilet paper 15cm deep and at least 100m from waterways, tracks and camp sites. Enjoy some bush camping (top left); giant rainforest trees in Imbil State Forest (left); mountain biking in Eumundi Conservation Park (above); Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (top left) © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer (left and above); 27