Visitor safety tips in parks

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

Make sure you have an enjoyable visit by following these simple tips.

Coronavirus COVID-19

Check for the latest COVID-19 information and closures before you visit a park.

1. Research your trip and make the right choices

Match your walks and activities to your abilities, fitness and stamina. Wear good walking shoes and protective clothing for all activities . Always carry water with you. Know where you’re going – look up the park in your favourite mapping app, however, be aware that many areas of our parks are outside mobile range.  Check the park pages on this website for park closures. For longer trips, tell someone else where you are going and when you expect to return.

2. Be sun smart

Check the Bureau of Meteorology’s daily UV Alert.When the UV Index reaches 3 and above, make sure you wear a broad brimmed hat, long sleeves, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen every 2 hours. Try and stay in the shade during the middle of the day when UV levels reach their maximum. For more information on how to protect yourself from sunburn, visit www.sunsmart.com.au

3. Check the weather forecast

Weather conditions can change quickly. Always bring protective clothing in case the weather changes. For weather forecasts and warnings, check the Bureau of Meteorology. Check for changes to conditions in the park you plan to visit before you leave. Some parks may close due to severe weather events.

4. Drink plenty of water

Always carry enough water to keep hydrated while exercising, hiking, camping or four-wheel driving. Not all parks provide drinking water, so if you run out of water, or cannot carry enough water with you for your entire trip, you may need to drink from natural water sources. Drinking untreated water such as creek water, bore water, or sometimes even rainwater, can lead to illnesses. Find out more about drinking from natural water sources.

5. Be bushfire aware

The warmer months are the perfect time to experience regional Victoria. However, Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas of the world  If you are hiking or camping between November to April in an area that is heavily forested, has thick bush or long, dry grass, or coastal areas with lots of plant life – you are at risk of fire. Follow these bushfire safety tips to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable. Familiarise yourself with important bushfire safety information. Check www.emergency.vic.gov.au for information about current fires and for Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans. Parks may be closed on Code Red Days, Total Fire Ban Days, or days of high fire danger.

6. Allergies and bites

Visitors allergic to insect stings, including those with a history of anaphylaxis, should come completely prepared to reduce the likelihood of an incident. Always wear protective footwear, long trousers and long sleeved shirts to avoid insect bites. 

7. Beat the bite

Mosquitoes can carry diseases that may be passed on to people through mosquito bites. In Australia, some of these include Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. Periods of heavy rainfall or floods can lead to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, even in non-tropical areas. Find out more from the Better Health Channel.Mosquitoes can carry diseases that may be passed on to people through mosquito bites. In Australia, some of these include Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. Periods of heavy rainfall or floods can lead to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, even in non-tropical areas. Find out more from the Better Health Channel.  

8. Look up

When out and about in our parks, be aware that trees and limbs may fall unpredictably. Trees can drop limbs, or entire trees can fall, without warning and there is no way of determining when. Be aware that it may be dangerous to park your car and picnic under trees as limbs can swing out beyond the drip line (the edge of the canopy) of a tree. Don’t camp under trees as limbs may fall. Take extra care in hot or windy weather or during severe weather events as these can be particularly dangerous. Observe all warning signage and stay well away from trees that appear to be dead or have dead limbs.

9. Play it safe around the water

When the weather gets hot, our beaches, lakes and rivers across the state are great places to swim, play, paddle and have fun in the water. However, it's important to be aware of the risks of swimming in nature whether it's at the beach, in a lake, river or near a waterfall. Do not jump off piers and jetties and observe all safety signage and barriers. Only swim where permitted and do not swim by yourself. When paddling or boating, make sure you wear a lifejacket and check local tidal and weather conditions. For more safety tips and info, visit www.watersafety.vic.gov.au

10. Stay on the track

Fences and barriers are there for a reason – to keep you safe and to protect our environment. Climbing barriers to get a perfect selfie or to look for a better view can lead to serious injury. Walking off track damages sensitive vegetation, can disturb Aboriginal culture heritage artefacts, compacts the ground and can spread plant diseases. The reasons are bigger than you.

11. Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero 000 or 112 to access police and emergency services. Be aware that you may travel out of mobile phone range. Many of our parks feature emergency markers, which are special green signs with a unique code on them so emergency responders can pinpoint your exact location.

12. Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and drones

Parks Victoria has regulations that govern the use of RPAS. These regulations build on Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines to allow the safe use of RPAS. Parks Victoria regulations consider RPAS to be aircraft, and vary depending on who is piloting or operating the RPAS. Recreational use of RPAS by the general public is prohibited on Parks Victoria managed land. The recreational use of RPAS is not permitted under Parks Victoria regulations and visitors should refrain from flying them or they may receive a penalty infringement notice. Commercial filming on Parks Victoria managed land requires a permit, including to use RPAS. 

For information about RPAS and permits, visit our Commercial RPAS and Drones Filming and Photography Permit application guidelines page.