Safety and rules in parks and reserves

If you’re planning to 4WD in NT parks, make sure you’re capable of 4WD handling and recovery.

You should:

• check your vehicle is in good working order and designed for off-road travel
• consider what you will do if your car breaks down
• if your car breaks down, never leave your vehicle - a vehicle is easier to spot by search and rescue
• travel in groups of 2 or more vehicles where possible
• make sure you have the right recovery equipment to get yourself out and know how to use it
• consider taking a 4WD training course
• take reliable communication equipment and plan for no mobile coverage
• bring extra water, food and fuel in case you get stuck – it can save your life
• carry first aid and know how to use it.

When you plan to go bushwalking or hiking, only choose walks that suit your fitness level and ability.

You should also take essential items with you like food and water.

Find out how to stay safe while bushwalking or hiking.

If you’re camping in a park and plan to have a campfire, make sure you do it in a permitted area and don’t leave it unattended.

To hike and camp overnight outside a designated camping area, you must apply for a permit.

This provides information to Parks and Wildlife to help keep you safe.

Read about camping safety and rules, and permits for camping overnight outside a designated area.

When launching or landing your boat:

• read the safety rules for boating and fishing in parks
• always be cautious of saltwater crocodiles and Be Crocwise:
  • for more information on crocodile safety, go to the Be Crocwise website
• carry vinegar to treat stinger or box jellyfish stings.

In the Top End, you can swim in parks in areas managed for swimming.

Make sure you only swim in areas marked safe to swim and read all safety and warning signs before entry.

Find out more about swimming in parks.

Some NT Parks and reserves offer mountain bike trails.

Always prepare and ride to the conditions and your skill level.

Cyclists and walkers share some paths. Cyclists should give way to walkers and alert them when approaching.

Read more information about where you can ride and mountain bike safely.

Before rock climbing, contact the Parks and Wildlife permit office for information.

Not all parks are suitable or allow rock climbing. If you're near a cliff and not rock-climbing:

• stay at least 2m away from cliff edges
• don’t take selfies near cliff edges
• don’t walk backwards towards a cliff or edge.

There are rules you must follow if you want to take photos, film or operate a drone.

Photography and filming

You can take a photo or record a video for your personal use only.

When you capture an image:

• keep a firm grip on your device - dropped items can't be retrieved
• don't take a selfie with an animal or near a cliff edge as it can be dangerous and sometimes fatal
• be considerate to other park users - they might not want to be in your photo.

If you're a commercial photographer or videographer, you must apply for a permit for commercial photos and filming in parks.

You must also apply for a permit if you're a wedding photographer or event organiser,

Drones

There are rules around drones and their use in parks.

Some parks do no allow drones and others require a permit for recreational and commercial use.

Read more about applying for a permit to fly a drone in parks and the rules.

Hunting is only allowed during certain times of year and on a limited number of hunting reserves.

You must also have a permit.

Without a permit, firearms, traps, nets, crossbows or other weapons are not allowed in parks.

Read more information about hunting in the NT.

Saltwater crocodiles can be in any Top End waterway.

It is never completely safe to enter the water. You should take care when swimming and relaxing near water holes.

For more information on crocodile safety, go to the Be Crocwise website.

Respect local wildlife by doing the following:

• take a photo but respect their space
• don’t take a selfie – it might not be safe
• don’t feed animals or leave your rubbish out where they can get into it and spread it around
• don’t interfere with an animal, their home or nest. You might scare them away from their young.

Pets are not allowed in some parks and reserves. Unless, you have an assistance animal.

This is to protect the native plants and animals.

You can read more about pets in parks.

Only a small number of parks have rubbish bins.

Help keep the environment clean by taking rubbish with you.

If there are bins, still consider taking your rubbish and recycle what you can.

Pests and weeds can enter parks on your vehicle and in camping and hiking gear.

To help reduce the risk of spread, do the following:

• check your vehicle for seeds if you have been off road and clean them off before you go to a new area
• check cars, trailers and other items for pests that could be hiding
• stay on marked roads and don’t go off designated tracks
• if you find weed seeds or burrs, leave them in the weed-infested area or burn them in your campfire
• check your camping and hiking gear for anything that has crawled into your tent and can travel to your next destination.

When you visit a park, make sure you leave things where you find them.

You must never:

• take plants, rocks, shells, feathers, fossils or other interesting objects
  • rocks provide important hiding places for animals or protect from erosion in a dry river bed
• take or interfere with native animals-  it is a criminal offence
• touch Aboriginal rock art or disturb a significant site
• pick flowers or damage plants - stay on designated roads and walking tracks
• disturb a nest or living place of a native animal.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in some parks and zones.

Obey all no smoking signs and rules. If you do smoke in other areas, be considerate of others and the environment.

Smoke-free zones include waterholes, around children’s play equipment and where people gather.

Smoke-free zones apply in:

• Berry Springs and Howard Springs nature parks
• Litchfield National Park - Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole and Wangi Falls.

Prevent accidental fires - always extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them in a bin or take them with you. Don’t litter or throw butts on the ground.