Environmental protection

Take special care so that others can enjoy our bushland areas.

Avoid crossing areas easily damaged by horses such as sphagnum moss beds, swamps and steep or boggy creek crossing. Apart from the impact caused, these areas can be dangerous to horse and rider.

Do not blaze or mark tracks or routes in any way. If recognised tracks are hard to follow, or if there are signs of damage, inform parks staff.

Watering horses

Horses must be watered downstream from camping areas and at least 30 metres from camping areas on lake foreshores.

Rather than leading horses to stream banks and lake edges, which can cause bank erosion, bucket water to horses. Use watering troughs where provided.

Meeting other park users

Courtesy and understanding from all park users is important to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit. Riders will meet walkers and others who are unfamiliar with horses and unsure about passing them on the track or camping near them.

Ensure that all horses in your party are walking quietly when passing other users on a track and thank them for quietly passing nervous or excited horses if the situation arises. If you are camped near others, ensure that your camp is set up in accordance with the Code to avoid disturbing other park visitors.

Horse riders may also meet people who are unsympathetic to their means of enjoying the park. Try to avoid conflict in these situations by explaining the existence of the Code and its purpose in helping to protect the park environment.

If you meet riders who are acting contrary to this Code, politely explain to them that only by abiding by its guidelines can they help to ensure that horse riding remains an appropriate means of enjoying national parks. If necessary report such incidents to park staff.