Accommodation Safety: When you Stop for the Night

• Camping tips
• When campfires are allowed
• Staying at a Caravan park or a Roadside Rest
• Staying in Hotels, Motels, or Hostels

Camping tips

• You must obtain a permit and pay fees before camping at any national parks, state forests or reservoirs.
• Only camp in designated areas.
• Campfires are banned in some places, and open fires are not allowed in state forests and national parks.
• For information on Queensland National Parks call the Environmental Protection Agency's Naturally Queensland Information Centre on (07) 3227 8186 or visit their website at http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/.

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When campfires are allowed

• Light fires only in constructed fireplaces and bring your own firewood, or use supplied firewood only.
• Do not cut down trees for firewood or collect fallen timber or leaf litter - this provides food and shelter for many native animals.
• Extinguish the campfire thoroughly with water before leaving. Covering it with sand only extinguishes the flames. The residual heat from the fire may injure the next visitor to the site.

TourSafe Tip: For your safety, NEVER feed any native animals. You could also be fined for doing so.

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Staying at a caravan park or a roadside rest area

• Councils may allow vehicle parking at roadside rest areas for up to a maximum of 48 hours. Most do not allow tent-style camping, so check with the council in the local area.
• Caravan parks are public places - if anyone causes a nuisance, police can ban the person from the park for a period of up to 24 hours.
• Occupying deserted buildings during your travels is very unsafe and also illegal in Queensland.

TourSafe Tip: Stay at caravan parks overnight as opposed to roadside rest areas.

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Staying in hotels, motels or hostels

• Take the time to know your new surroundings.
• Know where all the emergency exits are situated.
• Locate safety fixtures - fire safety equipment and smoke alarms.
• Most accommodation houses are governed by strict non-smoking rules. Abide by these rules - they are designed to prevent fires.
• It is an offence to tamper with any fire safety equipment in Queensland. This includes exit signs and removing batteries from smoke alarms.
• All power outlets are 240 volts in Australia - unless you have the proper adaptor, NEVER plug-in or adapt appliances that are of different voltages or plug fittings.
• Electricity switches in Australia are 'ON' when the switch is in the downward position.

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