The Country Code

Whether you are camping, bush walking, travelling, 4by’ing or simply going for a drive to picnic in the country, there is an expectation that everyone will follow a code of conduct. It is called the Country Code.

It starts with understanding and respecting that every piece of land we drive on, camp on or visit is owned or leased by someone. Someone pays the insurance and taxes on it. Someone maintains the roads, fences, creeks, dams and livestock on it. They need to safely access these when required. Someone is making a living from it or protecting it for our current or future generations.

Remember to never rip up the roads. This can easily happens with dirt roads after rain. Many people rely on these roads to get to work and school. They need to get groceries, mail and move livestock or crops to and from market. The ambulance, police, fire brigade and SES may use them to save lives, livestock and property. Local farmers may use the sides of roads and stock routes to graze cattle in times of drought or to move cattle to water or better feeding paddocks.

Always ask permission before relaxing on someone's property. If they say "YES, it's okay to rest up here for a bit" that is great. They may even point you to a particularly pristine area. Most people are happy to help those who are courteous, respectful and appear trustworthy. They may be very happy for you to camp on their pretty creek today or next time you are in that region.

Please don't break the Country Code.

• Know whose land you are on and ensure it is okay to be there 
• Ask permission before you set up your tent, campfire or picnic 
• If you go through a gate.. Leave it as you found it. 
• DO NOT disturb anything. Don't let your dog bark at or chase livestock or wildlife or beep your horn at them. 
• Keep the dog in the car at a farm. Ideally you should stay in the car unless the farmer has signalled it is okay to get out. Most farms have working dogs, which may not be appreciative of an unfamiliar in their territory. Farm dogs have rarely been socialised. 
• Try not to stir up unnecessary dust by driving fast or taking off quickly and covering the locals with more dust than they already deal with on a daily basis. 
• Be aware of any fire ban or firewood collection restrictions in the region 
• Please don't interfere with any troughs, windmills or tanks. 
• Drive carefully around any crops. 
• Drive slowly and carefully on wet roads. 
• Never leave any litter. Leave no trace. 


Always show respect!

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