EXPLORING ’S NATIONAL PARKS

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Victorian National Parks Association An independent, non-profit, membership-based group, VNPA exists to protect Victoria’s unique natural environment and biodiversity through the establishment and effective management of national parks, including marine national parks, conservation reserves and other measures. VNPA works by facilitating strategic campaigns and education programs, developing policies, conducting hands-on conservation work, and by running bushwalking and outdoor activity programs that promote the care and enjoyment of Victoria’s natural heritage. © Published by the Victorian National Parks Association July 2015.

Disclaimer VNPA is responsible for the content of the Exploring Victoria’s National Parks. To the extent permitted by law, VNPA disclaims all liability in connection with any loss and/or damage, arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication. VNPA has endeavoured to verify and acknowledge all sources, however please contact VNPA if any errors or omissions are identified. Address: Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053. Phone: 03 9347 5188 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.vnpa.org.au

2 | | EXPLORING VICTORIAN VICTORIA’SNATIONAL PARKSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION PARKS EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS

CONTENTS

Q. Exploring our parks: Quick answers for those in a hurry ...... 4 Q. Why do we have parks? ...... 7 Q. How are national parks protected? ...... 9 Q. Is it easy to explore our parks? ...... 10 Q. Do national parks get special management? ...... 11 Q. Are parks costly to maintain? ...... 12 Q. Are parks well-supported by the Victorian Community? ...... 13 Q. What about Aboriginal involvement? ...... 14 Q. Why are there so many different types of park? ...... 15 Q. What sort of areas are protected in Victoria? ...... 16 Q. How are new national parks created? ...... 17 Q. How are national parks managed? ...... 18 Q. Is horse riding allowed in national parks? ...... 19 Q. Is fishing allowed in national parks? ...... 20 Q. Is hunting allowed in national parks? ...... 21 Q. Are motor or trail bikes allowed in national parks? ...... 22 Q. Are 4WD vehicles allowed in national parks? ...... 23 Q. What about camping in national parks? ...... 24 Q. Can I bring my dog? ...... 25

NATUREYOUR QUESTIONS CONSERVATION ANSWERED REVIEW | 3 EXPLORING OUR PARKS: QUICK ANSWERS FOR THOSE IN A HURRY

Q. WHY DO WE HAVE PARKS? Q. WHAT ABOUT ABORIGINAL The only way to give long-term protection to our INVOLVEMENT? native plants and animals is to protect the places in There are many ways Aboriginal people and which they live – their different habitat types. communities are involved with national parks. Read more, page 7 >> Read more, page 14 >>

Q. HOW ARE NATIONAL PARKS Q. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PROTECTED? DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARK? Under State Government legislation national parks The park system is complex because nature is are, first and foremost, about preservation and complex, and so are the many impacts people have protection of the natural environment. on natural areas. Read more, page 9 >> Read more, page 15 >> Q. WHAT SORT OF AREAS ARE Q. IS IT EASY TO EXPLORE OUR PARKS? PROTECTED IN VICTORIA? Yes, our parks are open to everyone 24 hours a day, There are different types of parks to match the 365 days a year. different levels of protection needed for the Read more, page 10 >> conservation or natural attributes and uses of an area. Q. DO NATIONAL PARKS GET SPECIAL Read more, page 16 >> MANAGEMENT? Yes. Each national park has a plan of management Q. HOW ARE NEW NATIONAL PARKS that outlines how threats to the park will be CREATED? managed, and also specifies zones for visitor access By government legislation, after extensive work. in ways that give people great experiences, while Since the 1970s Victoria has had one of the best minimising any impacts. systems in the world for deciding which areas should Read more, page 11 >> be national parks. It is a system based on extensive community consultation and independent expert inputs. Q. ARE PARKS COSTLY TO MAINTAIN? Read more, page 17 >> No, parks more than pay their way. They contribute strongly to the Victorian economy. Q. HOW ARE NATIONAL PARKS Read more, page 12 >> MANAGED? National parks and other conservation areas are Q. ARE PARKS WELL-SUPPORTED BY managed by Parks Victoria, which is a dedicated THE VICTORIAN COMMUNITY? Victorian government agency. Yes indeed! National parks are supported almost Read more, page 18 >> unanimously by the Victorian community. Read more, page 13 >>

4 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS The Crosscut Saw in Victoria’s . Photo: John Sampson

Q. IS HORSE RIDING ALLOWED IN Q. ARE 4WD VEHICLES ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS? NATIONAL PARKS? Yes, in many parks, but they are usually on Absolutely. The rules around 4WD vehicles in designated routes to best protect the environment national parks are essentially the same as in state and avoid clashes with other users and to maximise forest, or anywhere else in Victoria: it is legal to drive experiences. Regulations about horse riding, a registered vehicle on declared roads and tracks. including where you can ride a horse, vary from park Read more, page 23 >> to park. Read more, page 19 >> Q. WHAT ABOUT CAMPING IN Q. IS FISHING ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS? Camping is allowed in most national parks, at all NATIONAL PARKS? times of the year. Yes, it is allowed in waterways within land-based Read more, page 24 >> parks, but not in marine national parks and sanctuaries. Read more, page 20 >> Q. CAN I BRING MY DOG? No, dogs (and other pets) are generally not allowed Q. IS HUNTING ALLOWED IN in national parks and many other conservation NATIONAL PARKS? reserves although they are sometimes allowed in regional or metropolitan parks close to townships. Generally, hunting is not allowed in national parks, but there are exceptions, particularly for Sambar Read more, page 25 >> Deer in particular places, at particular times. Read more, page 21 >>

Q. ARE MOTOR OR TRAIL BIKES ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS? Yes. The rules around 4WD vehicles also apply to motorcycles. Read more, page 22 >>

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 5 Hikers in the .

6 | VICTORIANEXPLORING NATIONAL VICTORIA’S PARKS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION PARKS Q. WHY DO WE HAVE PARKS?

he only way to give Victoria is mostly privately owned long-term protection with almost 15 million ha, or 65% Victoria is the Australian state to our native plants of the state, in private hands. The most cleared of native bushland, T remaining 7.9 million ha, or 35% of with 50-70% gone. On private and animals is to protect the land around 80-90% has been places in which they live – their the state, is public land. About half cleared. different habitat types. of this is in national parks and the More than 80 terrestrial species conservation system and the other are already extinct, and more While Victoria has a great network half is in state forests (including than 1000 are still threatened. of parks and conservation areas, timber harvesting areas) and roads. About a fifth of Victoria’s there are still significant gaps. mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and plants are threatened. More than half of the state’s habitat types (ecological vegetation classes) are threatened.

remaining 7.9 million ha, or 35% of the state, is public land. About half of this is in the national park and conservation system and the other half state forest (including timber harvesting areas) and roads.

Map 1: The only remaining large areas of relatively intact native bushland in Victoria are on public land. The park and conservation reserve sys- tem is the foundation of our efforts to keep what is left as healthy as possible.

NATUREYOUR QUESTIONS CONSERVATION ANSWERED REVIEW 7 View from Mt Tarrengower, near Maldon in Central Victoria. Photo: John Sampson

Major land use Land area Major land use Land area Public land (7.9 million hectares) 34.6% Private land (14.9 million hectares) 65.4% National park & conservation system 16.8% Agricultural holdings 55.8% State forest 13.8% Urban & industrial 3.5% Services & utilities (roads, sewerage, etc) 2.6% Plantation forestry 2.2% Parks (metropolitan, regional, forest) 0.5% Rural residential 0.9% National park & conservation system (included in above 0.4% categories)

Map 2: Location of habitats (known as ecological vegetation classes or EVCs) needing increased protection to meet national targets for a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system.

8 | | EXPLORING VICTORIAN VICTORIA’SNATIONAL PARKSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION PARKS Q. HOW ARE NATIONAL PARKS PROTECTED?

nder State Government conservation of the natural provisions of the National Parks legislation national environment in those parks; and Act: Uparks are, first and iv) for the responsible • 45 national parks. foremost, about preservation management of the land in • 26 state parks (smaller than and protection of the natural those parks; national parks, but with the same environment. Within that context, the legislation protection). National parks are managed under says the use and enjoyment of • 13 marine national parks. Victoria’s National Parks Act, which national parks by the public should • 11 marine sanctuaries. says the objectives of national park be promoted and encouraged. • 3 wilderness parks. management are: And the global significance In addition, under the National i) for the preservation and of national parks and other Parks Act and other legislation, protection of the natural conservation reserves is recognised Victoria has: environment including by the International Convention on • 30 metropolitan parks. wilderness areas and remote Biological Diversity, which • 60 other parks (including regional and natural areas in those parks; is a signatory to. It says we must: and reservoir parks). ii) for the protection and • preservation of indigenous “Promote the protection of • More than 2700 natural features flora and fauna and of features ecosystems, natural habitats and conservation reserves. of scenic or archaeological, and the maintenance of viable • More than 11,000 formally ecological, geological, historic populations of species in natural registered Aboriginal cultural or other scientific interest in surroundings.” heritage places. those parks; and As of 30 June 2014 there were iii) for the study of ecology, 139 areas with more than geology, botany, zoology and 3.45 million ha (about 17% of the other sciences relating to the state) managed under various

The global significance of national parks and other conservation reserves is recognised by the International Convention on Biological Diversity, which says we must ‘promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings.

NATURE CONSERVATION REVIEW | 9 Q. IS IT EASY TO EXPLORE OUR PARKS?

es, our parks are open to • Victoria’s national parks alone less mobile or need a wheelchair. everyone 24 hours a day, attract 35 million visitors each In some parks, all-terrain Y365 days a year. year. If we include all of the types wheelchairs are available – call of parks in Victoria, that figure 131 963 or visit www.parkweb.vic. Victoria’s national parks attract would almost triple to 96 million gov.au for more information. 35 million visitors each year. If we visitors every year. include all of the types of parks in • There are 157,000 face-to-face Victoria, that figure would almost • There are 14,000km of roads education and interpretation triple to 96 million visitors a year. in Victoria’s parks, and 3700km programs held in Victoria’s parks of walking tracks. Built assets a year, 21,000 of them for school Some key facts: managed by Parks Victoria are students. worth $1.8 billion. • Parks are open to everyone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. • Many parks have facilities and special tracks for people who are

10 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. DO NATIONAL PARKS GET SPECIAL MANAGEMENT?

es. Each national park has actively managed for weed and all public land, including in our a plan of management pest animal invasions. While that national parks. work is not as well-resourced as it Ythat outlines how threats • Around 30,000 volunteers also should be, parks get considerably to the park will be managed, help out in Victoria’s parks each more of the pest management and also specifies zones for year. visitor access in ways that give budget than most other public land, such as state forest areas. people great experiences, while minimising any impacts. • Importantly, bushfire management in Victoria is • Parks are definitely not ‘locked planned and managed across up’ and left uncared for. They are

Parks deliver $1.02 billion every year to Victoria’s bottom line through tourism and contribute $330 million by ‘supplying clean water.

Grampians National Park. Photo: John Sampson

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 11 Q. ARE PARKS COSTLY TO MAINTAIN?

o, parks more than pay their way. They Ncontribute strongly to the Victorian economy. Victoria’s national parks alone attract 35 million visitors each year. If we include all of the types of parks in Victoria, that figure would almost triple to 96 million visitors a year.

Key facts: • Parks generate $1.02 billion annually to the state economy through park tourism. • They contribute $330 million through supplying clean water. Mt Buffalo Gorge. Photo: Geoff Durham • They contribute at least $180 million because of avoided billion each year, but only 2% of Note: See http://journals.plos.org/ community health costs. this figure is reinvested in the plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/ • There 372 licensed commercial safeguarding of their future. journal.pbio.1002074 tour operators operating in parks, • Parks also contribute significantly providing activities for 240,000 to the physical and social people a year. well-being of the community, and • A recent global study found that in turn that helps the economic protected areas around the world wellbeing of Victoria. generate more than US$600

A recent global study found that protected areas around the world generate more than US$600 billion each year, but only 2% of this ‘figure is reinvested in the safeguarding of their future.

12 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. ARE PARKS WELL-SUPPORTED BY THE VICTORIAN COMMUNITY?

es indeed! National parks • 89% of Victorians support Victoria • 42% said they would be are supported almost having a comprehensive network more likely to vote for a party Yunanimously by the of national parks and other committed to increasing funding Victorian community. conservation reserves across land and staff, such as park rangers, in and sea. national parks. Only 3% said this Victorians overwhelmingly support would make them less likely to national parks, and recognise • 96% of Victorians recognise the vote for such a party. their role in protecting threatened importance of national parks for Note: See http://vnpa.org.au/page/ species. People also recognise the conserving nature and protecting publications/nature-news-hub/ need for increasing resources for native wildlife. Around 70% survey-shows-victorians-love-their- consider them very important. managing these important areas. national-parks An independent statewide poll by • 81% of respondents support polling company Essential Research increasing funding for protecting (October 2014), commissioned nature, including threatened by the Victorian National Parks species and national parks across Association, showed that: Victoria.

NATURE CONSERVATION REVIEW | 13 Q. WHAT ABOUT ABORIGINAL INVOLVEMENT?

here are many ways in In parks where Native Title has Owners in managing natural which Aboriginal people been formally established, co- resources, continuing cultural and communities are management agreements are practices and achieving Land T arranged for a park, though the Management Agreements. involved with national parks. prime objective of the park, the Parks Victoria has an active For a start, consultation with protection of nature, remains. Traditional Owners is an important program for the employment of part in the development of park When Native Title has not been Aboriginal people in parks. management plans, and includes formally established, a new prescriptions for the protection of Victorian law, the Traditional Owner all recorded sites of significance for Settlement Act (2010), provides a Aboriginal cultural heritage in the number of ways for consultation area. and participation of Traditional

Traditional Owner rangers for the red gum parks, and below, celebrations at the official opening of the new parks. Photo: Shepparton News

14 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARK?

he park system is complex and influence without permanent VI Protected area with sustainable because nature is complex, or significant human habitation. use of natural resources and so are the many They are managed to protect their Category VI protected areas T natural condition. impacts people have on natural conserve ecosystems and habitats areas. II National Park together with associated cultural values and traditional natural These protected areas are large The idea is to create a conservation resource management systems. natural or near natural areas network made up of different They are generally large, with set aside to protect large-scale land tenures and management most of the area in a natural ecological processes, along with systems, matching the conservation condition, but where low-level the complement of species and importance of each area, its non-industrial use of natural ecosystems characteristic of condition, and current and potential resources is compatible with nature the area, which also provide a appropriate uses. conservation it is seen as one of the foundation for environmentally main aims of the area. The public land tenure system in and culturally compatible, spiritual, Victoria is governed by a number scientific, educational, recreational, In Victoria, protected areas include of pieces of legislation, but also and visitor opportunities. reference areas, national, state, reflects a range of national and wilderness and some regional III Natural Monument or Feature international treaties and policies. parks, nature conservation reserves, Generally speaking, a protected area Category III areas protect a natural heritage rivers and some natural is a park or reserve with a primary or cultural feature, such as a features reserves. landform, submarine cavern, or aim of biodiversity conservation – Some other categories of land creating areas in which our native even a living feature such as an ancient grove. They are generally known as ‘parks’ or ‘reserves’ are plants and animals can survive and not considered true protected areas flourish. International thinking has quite small protected areas and often have high visitor value. because their primary purpose been led by the International Union is not biodiversity conservation for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), IV Habitat/Species Management (e.g. some regional parks, historic which has developed globally Area reserves, lake reserves, highway recognised standard definitions and Category IV protected areas aim parks and metropolitan parks). classifications for protected areas. to protect particular species or The dedicated status of land in the The internationally recognised habitats and management reflects categories included in the reserve categories are: this priority. Many Category IV system is conferred by one of protected areas will need regular, four Parliamentary Acts. Broadly Ia Strict Nature Reserve: managed active interventions to address the speaking, national, state and some mainly for science requirements of particular species other parks are scheduled and These are strictly protected areas or to maintain habitats. set aside to protect biodiversity and managed under the National Parks V Protected Landscape/Seascape geological features, where human Act 1975, nature conservation visitation, use and impacts are These are protected areas where reserves and natural features strictly controlled and limited. the interaction of people and nature reserves are reserved and managed over time has produced an area of under the Crown Land (Reserves) Ib Wilderness Area distinct character with significant Act 1978, reference areas are These protected areas are usually ecological, biological, cultural and/ proclaimed and managed under large, unmodified or slightly or scenic value. the Reference Areas Act 1978, and modified areas of land or sea, heritage rivers are proclaimed and retaining their natural character managed under the Heritage Rivers Act 1992.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 15 Q. WHAT SORT OF AREAS ARE PROTECTED IN VICTORIA?

here are different types 1978, and heritage rivers are • Wilderness Parks, which are of parks to match proclaimed and managed under often remote areas that aim to the different levels of the Heritage Rivers Act 1992. have a high level of protection from T interference: “… the protection, protection needed for the conservation or natural Victoria’s main protected enhancement and management of those parks as wilderness so as attributes and uses of an area. area types to maximise the extent to which In Victoria, protected areas include • National Parks are generally those parks are undisturbed by reference areas, national, state, substantial tracts of public land the influences of the European with outstanding natural features wilderness and some regional settlement of Australia.” Examples and diverse land types, primarily parks, nature conservation reserves, of wilderness parks include the set aside to conserve and protect heritage rivers and some natural Big Desert Wilderness, Avon natural ecosystems. They also features reserves. Wilderness, Wabba Wilderness. provide for public enjoyment, Some other categories of land education and inspiration in natural • Nature Conservation Reserves/ known as ‘parks’ or ‘reserves’ are environments. Natural Feature Reserves: They not considered true protected are generally smaller than national • State Parks are generally not areas as their main purpose is and state parks, but nevertheless as extensive as national parks not biodiversity conservation areas with important ecological and their natural features are significance or areas sensitive to (e.g. some regional parks, historic usually less outstanding, but they reserves, lake reserves, highway human use. Generally provision are important contributors to for public use is limited to parks and metropolitan parks). Victoria’s park system and enjoy passive recreation such as nature The dedicated status of land in the a similar level of protection as observation. Timber removal, categories included in the reserve national parks. They are primarily grazing by domestic stock, and system is conferred by one of set aside to conserve and protect hunting and firearms are generally four Parliamentary Acts. Broadly natural ecosystems and provide for not permitted. speaking, national, state and some public enjoyment, education and inspiration in natural environments. • Indigenous Protected Areas are other parks are managed under areas where Traditional Owners the National Parks Act 1975, nature • Regional Parks allow for more have entered into an agreement conservation reserves and natural intensive recreational activity in with the Australian Government to features reserves are reserved and fairly natural surroundings. They promote biodiversity and cultural managed under the Crown Land are commonly near major regional resource conservation. (Reserves) Act 1978, similar smaller centres and offer opportunities for reserves are managed under the activities such as picnicking and Land (Conservation) Act, reference walking in a forest environment. areas are proclaimed and managed Minor resource use is often under the Reference Areas Act permitted in regional parks.

16 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. HOW ARE NEW NATIONAL PARKS CREATED?

y government legislation, after extensive work. Since Bthe 1970s Victoria has had one of the best systems in the world for deciding which areas should be national parks. It is a system based on extensive community consultation and independent expert input. In the 1970s, faced with some difficult decisions on the use of public land, Victoria’s environment minister of the time, Bill Borthwick, wanted decisions to be evidence- based. He formed an independent investigative organisation called the Land Conservation Council (LCC), saying: Wilsons Promontory National Park. Photo: Paul Sinclair “There is no humbug about this. The Government is perfectly The agencies responsible for these The council is made up of five sincere in its endeavour to take the investigations have been: members including a chairperson consideration and recommendation • Land Conservation Council (LCC), and other people with a range of about the future use of public land 1971-1997. experience, skills and knowledge out of the realm of political and related to the management of emotional argument and place • Environment Conservation Council public land and natural resources. it in the hands of a competent, (ECC), 1997-2001. Its scientifically-based investigations technically qualified body, which • Victorian Environmental generally take up to two years can act on behalf of the people.” Assessment Council (VEAC), 2001 and involve extensive community He also insisted that there should onwards. consultation. be extensive public consultation The current Victorian Environmental Following investigations, before the LCC made any Assessment Council was the government of the day recommendations to government. established under the Victorian either accepts or rejects Since that time, the LCC and Environmental Assessment Council VEAC’s recommendations. If a its successors have conducted Act 2001. At the request of the recommendation for a park is more than 40 investigations, and Victorian Government, it conducts accepted, legislation is prepared generally the recommendations investigations into how our public and must pass both houses of the have been accepted by the land is sustainably managed and Victorian Parliament before a park is government of the day. A great used. created. many of these recommendations have been based on the need to MORE INFO protect adequate areas of different ecosystems in national parks and Forexamples of VEAC’s reports and investigations visit their website: other protected areas. >>http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 17 Q. HOW ARE NATIONAL PARKS MANAGED?

ational parks and other conservation areas Nare managed by Parks Victoria, which is a dedicated Victorian Government agency. Parks are protected and managed in essentially four ways: • Tenure: The legislation that creates the park protects the park in perpetuity, removing existing rights for activities such as logging, mining or grazing and giving the management agency control over the site. • Management Planning: Under legislation, each national or state park requires a management plan. Park management plans Our parks are managed by Parks Victoria. articulate the vision, goals, outcomes, measures and long- set through the management fire control and manage visitor term strategies for parks. plan, such as Conservation Zone, facilities. Management is Recreation Zone. Examples of adaptive, and can change as Management plans are management plans can be found experience and knowledge grows. prepared in consultation online at http://parkweb.vic.gov. with the community. When While resources for environmental au/park-management/plans- management are always hard to approved, plans will guide underway/planning. get, the national park, state park future management of the and conservation estate generally park. Management plans have • Park Regulations: Park staff have higher levels of management a 15-year time frame and such as rangers can enforce than state forests, which are increasingly adopt a landscape- regulations including fines for generally used for a wide variety of wide approach, so they can damaging parks. There are also productive and recreational uses. consider things bordering the various permit systems, to allow appropriate park activities. park that influence how a park operates. Zones and overlays • Works programs: Park officers provide further prescriptions such as rangers, sometimes for management within defined with the help of volunteers from areas. Some zones are defined organisations like Friends Groups, through legislation, such as undertake works to remove Reference Areas, while others are weeds, pest animals, undertake

18 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. IS HORSE RIDING ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS?

es, in many parks, but they are usually on designated Parks where horse riding is • Yroutes to best protect the allowed include: • You Yangs Regional Park environment and avoid clashes • • . with other users. • Horse riding and horse camps are • National Park allowed in: National park management plans • determine the location of horse • Alpine National Park • Hepburn Regional Park trails to reduce conflict between • Cobboboonee National Park different parks users, reduce • • Howqua Hills Historic Area potential environmental impacts • Macedon Regional Park • Kurth Kiln Regional Park. and maximise experiences. • Mornington Peninsula National Park Regulations about horse riding, including where you can ride a • Before leaving on a trip, check bag – do not spread feed on the horse, vary from park to park. It road conditions. Do not use roads ground. and tracks when they are wet or is best to speak to the local park • Where horse camping is allowed likely to be damaged. office to make sure you are doing camp only in a designated horse the right thing, and also getting • Be safety conscious – plan your campsite and keep at least the most from your visit. You can trip carefully, carry a first aid kit, 30 metres from watercourses. be connected free of charge to any maintain your saddlery equipment Parks Victoria office on 131 963. • Avoid crossing areas easily and be fully equipped. Leave damaged by horses such as details of your proposed trip with swamps and steep or boggy creek Some important things a responsible person. to know are: crossings. • Hold horses at least 30 metres • Horses should be watered • If in doubt about availability of from streams, huts and camping downstream from camping areas. access or permit requirements, areas unless otherwise directed To avoid stream bank erosion, check with the responsible land by departmental staff. Use bucket water to horses. manager. hitching rails or other holding facilities where provided. Avoid • Do not wash yourself or your • Respect the rights of other visitors. damage to vegetation when horse in streams. Carry water You will meet walkers and others tethering. Do not tie horses to to your camp for all washing unfamiliar with horses and unsure small limbs and shrubs. Tethering purposes, including washing about passing them on the track. directly to trees overnight is horses, and scatter wash water Ensure all horses in your party prohibited because it causes well away from streams. are walking quietly when passing unacceptable ground damage – other users on a track. • Report fallen trees or limbs across use hobbles or a ground tether roads to the nearest Department • Stay on the road or designated instead. of Environment, Land, Water and horse trials. Do not ride ‘off-road’ • Horses retain weed seeds in Planning office (for state forest) or or on tracks closed to horses as their gut which can germinate Parks Victoria office (for parks and you may damage the environment in manure in the forest. Your reserves). you have come to enjoy. horse should be fed with clean • Leave no trace. Take all rubbish • When riding, be prepared for the feed (ie. commercial cracked home. unexpected. Timber trucks, 4WDs, grain, proprietary and processed • Take care with fire – observe all hikers, cyclists and native animals feeds) for at least 48 hours before fire regulations and Total Fire Ban may also be using your chosen entering a park or other natural days. track. area. Feed your horse with a nose

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 19 Q. IS FISHING ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS?

es, it is allowed in lakes etc, but you must follow hunting/recreational-fishing/ waterways within land- relevant bag limits and seasonal fishing-licence restrictions. Ybased parks, but not in Note: Fishing is not allowed marine national parks and Unless you are under 18 or in marine national parks and sanctuaries. a pensioner you will need a sanctuaries, which cover There are no limits in land-based Recreational Fishing Licence http:// approximately 5% of Victoria’s parks for fishing in rivers, streams, www.depi.vic.gov.au/fishing-and- coastal waters.

20 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. IS HUNTING ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS?

enerally, hunting is not Victoria’s public land are complex, programs planned and supervised allowed in national parks, as they have to take public by Parks Victoria. safety into account as well as Gbut there are exceptions, Hunting regulations are explained environmental considerations. particularly for Sambar Deer in on the Parks Victoria website: http:// particular places, at particular In addition, in some national parkweb.vic.gov.au/visit/popular- times. parks, specially qualified volunteer activities/hunting hunters take part in pest eradication Regulations relating to hunting in

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 21 Q. ARE MOTOR OR TRAIL BIKES ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS?

es. The rules around 4WD use. Many of these tracks offer during winter for safety reasons or vehicles also apply to an adventurous riding experience to protect the road surface. These Ymotorcycles. through the forest. roads will have barriers and sign posting to advise they are not open You may ride on any of the forest, Victoria has approximately for public use. 36,000km of public roads through park and reserve roads open to state forests, parks and reserves the public, but for environmental available for use by licensed riders protection reasons it is illegal on registered motorcycles. Some to drive off formed roads. Some of this road network is made up of these roads are designated of unsealed 2WD roads, but much Management Vehicles Only and of it is 4WD tracks (also referred some public roads are closed to as roads) available for public

MORE INFO Youcan get the Ride Safe, ride legal information pack from the Victorian Government website: >>http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/forestry-and-land-use/visiting-parks-and-forests/visiting-state-fores ts/activities/ trail-bike-riding/ride-safe-ride-legal

22 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. ARE 4WD VEHICLES ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS?

bsolutely. The rules • Quad bikes cannot be registered • Never bush bash or create new around 4WD vehicles for public road and track use in tracks. Avoid using muddy tracks. Victoria and as a result are not Ain national parks are • Plan your trip – think safety. essentially the same as in state permitted in Victorian national Check your proposed route and forest, or anywhere else in parks. Fines of up to $1000 apply. road conditions before leaving. Victoria: it is legal to drive a • Drivers found travelling away • All native plants and animals are registered vehicle on declared from signed open tracks (ie. on protected. Do not cut down or roads and tracks. closed roads, bushwalking paths, damage standing trees or plants. or through unpathed terrain) risk Leave wildlife alone and do not This is consistent with Victoria’s serious fines. disturb their homes. 4WD sustainable driving policy which is to “Drive vehicles only on • Parents of unlicensed children • Think of others. Respect others’ formed roads and vehicle tracks driving trailbikes, monkey bikes, rights to peace and solitude in that are open to the public”. quad bikes, go-karts or motor the bush. Respect landowners’ vehicles in national parks can also rights and get permission to “Bush-bashing” off tracks is illegal, face heavy fines and in serious travel across private land. damaging to the environment and cases where injury or damage • Leave no litter. Take your rubbish inconsistent with the policies of is caused, a court appearance. home. Victoria’s 4WD clubs. These regulations are there to protect public safety. • Camp carefully. Practise “minimal The rules are: impact” camping. • Please note that all parks are • Unsurfaced roads and tracks in attended regularly by Victoria • Join a 4WD club and support Victoria’s parks are governed by Police and Parks Victoria rangers responsible 4WD touring. the same road rules that apply to to ensure each park’s facilities are • Enjoy your visit. Take a last look surfaced roads. responsibly enjoyed by all. before leaving an area – will the • Like any other road, you need Note: See http://www.fwdvictoria. next visitor know you have been to be fully licensed to drive on org.au/iconic4wd/important.html there. a national park road or track, Note: See http://www.depi.vic.gov. and your vehicle needs to be 4WD Touring Code for au/forestry-and-land-use/visiting- roadworthy. Public Land parks-and-forests/visiting-state- forests/ • 4WD motor vehicles and trail • Stay on the track and drive lightly. bikes are permitted in national Drive only on roads that are open parks on approved tracks only. to the public.

When planning your 4WD drip think safety. Check your proposed ‘route and road conditions before leaving.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 23 Q. WHAT ABOUT CAMPING IN NATIONAL PARKS?

amping is allowed in most and a kiosk. In a few larger parks, heavily forested parks, camping is national parks, at all times such as the Alpine National Park, not allowed. Cof the year. dispersed camping for off-track For more information, and booking In most parks, camping is allowed hikers is allowed. Fees vary (and are information please visit the Parks in designated campsites, and subject to changes), but currently Victoria website at http://parkweb. facilities vary from very basic to camping is free in sites with few vic.gov.au/visit/popular-activities/ campgrounds with toilets, showers or no facilities. In some small or camping

24 | EXPLORING VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Q. CAN I BRING MY DOG?

o, dogs (and other are allowed in specially designated visit/popular-activities/dog-walking pets) are generally not areas, and at particular times, but Often when new parks are being Nallowed in national parks your dog must be on a leash. Dogs designed, around towns, special and many other conservation are sometimes allowed in regional arrangements are made to allow reserves. or metropolitan parks close to for recreational uses. This highlights the importance of having a robust Dogs scare or interfere with native townships, or where the impact of park establishment and planning wildlife, and even the scent of a dog dogs is considered to be small. process. can affect some native animals. Check with Parks Victoria on 131 In just a few national parks they 963, or at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/

Camp grounds at Mt Arapiles. Photo: John Sampson

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED 25 Address: Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053. Phone: 03 9347 5188 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.vnpa.org.au