Nature-based Tourism Nature-based Tourism is a major part of the Australian economy with the River Murray playing a large role in water activites, such as houseboats, and birdwatching. Recreational activities are also popular such as water skiing, jet skiing and swimming. To ensure we can use the rivers in a sustainable manner there are a few considerations to make for others: Bushwalking
To minimise your impacts on the environment, please follow the tips provided in the Bushwalkers Code and Minimal Impact Bushwalking. In this way you can not only enjoy the natural surroundings without causing environmental degradation, but also help to ensure that the environment remains in good condition for you and others to enjoy in future.
You can help by doing the following:
• Keeping on tracks and not cutting corners or creating new tracks.
• Avoiding sensitive vegetation.
• Where there is a toilet, please use it. In areas without toilets, bury your faecal waste, at least 100 metres away from campsites and watercourses. Dig a hole 15 cm (6 inches) deep. Bury all faecal waste and paper, mixing it with the soil to help decomposition and discourage animals.
• If you’ve carried it in, carry it out. Don’t burn or bury rubbish, and if you come across other people’s rubbish, please take it with you too.
•Take only photographs and leave only footprints. Picnicking
To protect the delicate Murray River environment, we need to ‘tread lightly’ and minimise our impacts on the natural environment.
When picnicking:
• Take your rubbish with you. Food scraps can be harmful to native animals. Some wastes do not decompose quickly.
• Don’t burn or bury rubbish. Burying food waste disturbs the soil and native or feral animals may dig it up later.
• If you have the misfortune to come across other people’s rubbish, do the environment a favour, and take the rubbish out with you too.
• Leave picnic areas tidy. Try to go at off peak times. In that way you can not only minimise your impacts, and your picnic is more enjoyable. Camping
Camp in designated areas or existing campsites where possible, in natural clearings or on sandy or hard surfaces at least 20 metres from the edge of the watercourse. Be aware of other users of the River and avoid disturbing them. Try to avoid disturbing native vegetation through trampling. Do not cut trees for firewood or gather fallen timber, as these provide valuable
habitat for animals and plants, and are an important part of ecosystem processes. Extinguish all fires thoroughly. im to leave the area as if no one had been there. Take all litter away from the campsite and dispose of it correctly. Horse Riding
Check with the relevant authority or landholder as to whether horse riding is permitted in the area before setting out. Plan your trip, consult maps and notify a responsible person of your trip intentions. In order to minimise the impact of horses on the environment and the associated risks with horse riding, “Thirteen Environmental Rules” have been developed by the Australian Trail Riders Association. Mountain Biking
Minimal impact mountain biking means you can protect the environment, improve the experience of others, and take care of yourself while riding. Plan your ride and take a map with you. Advise someone of your trip intentions. Go in a small group, thus reducing environmental damage and the trip will be more enjoyable. To prevent the spread of weeds or root rot fungus, keep your bike clean. Take your rubbish out with you. To reduce erosion and damage, ride on established tracks and try to stick to the middle of the track. Cross creeks slowly at a 90 degree angle to the water flow. If in doubt about access and track availability, check with the relevant landholder. Four Wheel Driving Code of Ethics (SAAFWDC)
• Keep to the laws and regulations on recreation vehicles
• Others have the right to peace and solitude – avoid noisy driving
• Keep to existing vehicle corridors and tracks. On beaches and non-vegetated sand areas, drive only where permitted.
• Wetlands and vegetated dunes are easily damaged. Please avoid them.
• Respect our wildlife. Stop and look, but never disturb or chase animals.
• Keep the environment clean. Carry your own – and other people’s – rubbish home.
• Observe all fire restrictions. Extinguish your fire before leaving. Don’t let your exhaust emit sparks. Please do not cut live trees for firewood or use fallen timber, as these provide valuable habitat for animals and plants, and are an important part of ecosystem processes.
• Keep to restrictions on use of public land. Respect National Parks and other conservation areas.
• Get permission before driving on private land. Leave livestock alone and keep
gates as you found them.
• Take adequate water, food, fuel and spares on trips. In remote areas travel with another vehicle if possible. Advise a responsible person of your trip intentions.
• If camping, please minimise impacts, and refer to tips under the “Camping” subheading. Respecting Indigenous Heritage
Many places have spiritual or cultural significance for our Indigenous communities. Treat such places with consideration and respect. Obtain permission from the traditional landowners or the relevant land manager to visit sensitive areas. Leave Indigenous relics as you find them.Do not touch paintings or rock engravings. Fishing
Fishing licences are not required for fishing in the River Murray in South Australia, however restrictions do apply to some species. Please refer to the Recreational Fishing Guide from PIRSA. The River Murray and all its lagoons, creeks and anabranches are defined as “waters of the State” and recreational fishing within these waters is controlled by the Fisheries Act 1982 and its regulations. By complying with these rules and regulations, it can be ensured that there will be plenty of fish in the River Murray for current and future generations. Canoeing
The River Murray Canoe Guide Environmental Code lists some ways of minimising your impact on the environment. Carry appropriate repair equipment, torch, map, compass and survival kit on wilderness trips. Please take your rubbish with you, and secure your belongings so they do not fall into the water. If camping, please refer to the tips under the “Camping” subheading. Trail & Motor Bike Riding
Normal road rules apply on bush tracks. The rider must be licensed and the bike must be registered and road worthy. When riding keep to roads and tracks and avoid widening them, to prevent damage to vegetation and soil erosion, which can
destroy habitats for animal and bird life. Vehicles are not to be used on walking tracks. Avoid vehicle travel when tracks are wet. Try to keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing wildlife. Jet Skiing
The Coorong and Lakes are Ramsar listed wetlands and provide valuable habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Avoid reed areas where they nest or feed and keep noise to a minimum. Water Skiing
Water skiing is an enjoyable activity, however, to avoid injury, try not to ski where the riverbanks are steep or where there are snags. Care should be taken when skiing near sand bars. Keep an eye out for swimmers in the River at all times. Minimise boat wash when possible to avoid damage to riverbanks. Try to avoid disturbing birds by keeping away from reeds where birds could be nesting. Skiing regulations are under the Harbours and Navigation Act 1993 and the River Murray Act 2004. Boating & House-boating
To minimise erosion or damage to riverbanks, boats should be launched from designated boat ramps and jetties. Care should be taken to avoid snags, which provide valuable habitat and breeding areas for fish and other aquatic organisms. Keep your boat wash to a minimum to avoid causing bank erosion, damaging reed growth or disturbing birds. Use existing mooring posts where available and avoid damaging trees with mooring ropes. Use environmentally friendly products (phosphate-free detergents and soaps). Take care when re-fuelling to avoid spills and report any spills immediately. Keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid disturbing others and wildlife. If camping, refer to the tips under the “Camping” subheading. Swimming
Before swimming check for snags and the depth of the water. The River’s depth can change dramatically in hours. Sandbars in the River can move without warning due to changing water levels. Swim upstream away from the sweeping bends of the sandbar where currents are created. Be aware of boats, snakes, currents and snags at all times. Take your rubbish with you. For more information about susatinable recreation visit the link ! |
