AWT Minimal Impact Walking Code

Here at Australian Walking Tours we believe in ecological and environmental sustainability. We believe our walking tours should be sensitive to the environmental, social and cultural issues of the places we visit. In other words, let's make sure we don't trash the areas we come to visit. Let's look after the Australian bush, the plants and the animals and do our bit to make sure it is there for future generations. We also believe in doing our bit to help support local communities and indigenous people.

Accordingly we adhere to this code of ethics:

1. Tour groups are kept on formal tracks where they exist. Where there are no tracks the measures below are followed:

• wet or soft ground is actively avoided

• guides ensure that customers are spread out (environmental type dependent) so that no two walkers follow the same footsteps or in single file

• "scrub-bashing" is avoided by taking the most appropriate detour

• where off-track walking is anticipated these protocols submitted to the relevant management authority for approval and/or modification

2.    A "carry in - carry out" policy is in place for all litter and waste (including food scraps). A few people dropping a few bits of rubbish soons adds up to one big mess, so let's not be a part of that.

3.    In situations where toilets are not available bury waste in a hole at least 15cm deep, and at least 100 meters away from water bodies or campsites. Actually we make every opportunity to use toilet facilities whenever possible and our guides provide our guests with plenty of information as to when and where the next facilities are, and how far. Sometimes this means a slight diversion from the route, but when nature calls ...

4.    If camping or preparation of meals is involved, the minimal impact camping criteria (following) is adhered to. I.e.

• Use an existing campsite rather than make a new one in the same area. Setting up camp will be easier and additional ground cover will not be damaged.

• Leaders should limit the size of their party, especially in sensitive areas.

• Never cut live trees for tent poles.

• Minimise damage to flora and fauna by taking care in selecting how and where you camp

• Strictly obey all regulations regarding campfires and fire bans.

• Fires should not be lit in sensitive areas, or areas with a shortage of firewood. Stoves must be used in high-use areas (note: in some areas of Australia regulation prescribes "stove only" areas).

• Use established fire sites wherever possible. By preference use a “pit” fire and bury ashes. Use only dead wood for campfire fuel and ensure sufficient cleared area is maintained around fires and stoves for the prevailing conditions.

• Don't make fires near trunks of trees, on roots, on peaty soil, or where the fire could spread or be difficult to extinguish.

• Keep a suitable fire suppressant handy to control the fire should it begin to spread.

• Once fire remains are cold, bury them and spread leaf litter or soil over the fire site. Distribute unused firewood and minimise the visual impact.

• Don't dispose of aluminium foil or cans by burning (note: some material may be lined with foil, leaving an unsightly and non-biodegradable mess). Don't dispose of other material unless the fire is very hot and you are sure that it will be reduced to ash. Avoid producing noxious smoke. When in doubt carry it out!

• Exercise great care with stoves. Do not allow excess pressure, which may cause safety valve ignition

Actually we don't camp on our tours but it doesn't hurt us to have this protocol in place.

5.    Group size to be limited to a maximum of 15 and 10 in sensitive areas. The more sensitive the area, the smaller the group size and the more guides to clients.

6.    Tracks prone to erosion are actively avoided when conditions are unfavourable (e.g. during the wet season). Along the Great Ocean Walk this means that the section from Elliot's Ridge to Blanket Bay is often avoided - being a Parks Victoria 4WD track this becomes notoriously boggy after rain, so we avoid it. We also advocate use of poles - especially when it's wet and slippery. Also parts of the Flinders Ranges can very soon become wet and slippery after rain, so this occasionally means some route changes.

7.    To reduce weed and disease dispersal, guides must ensure that all have clean boots before entering areas of high conservation significance. i.e. apply phytopthora cinnamomi protocols. This is standard on all our walks - our guides carry portable hygiene kits for scrubbing and spraying boots and poles on entering and exiting the bush - it's so easy to do and can make all the difference in not spreading cinnamon fungus.

8.    Fuel stoves are used for any cooking or brewing up – where possible we take thermos flasks with hot water for hot drinks on the trail. Morning tea is a tradition and a fine excuse for a break mid morning.

9.    Minimal impact walking codes are provided to all our customers in pre-tour information as well as displayed on our website ... as you can see here.

10. The lighting of fires is actively discouraged, and the negative environmental impacts of fires are explained to customers (e.g. risk of wildfire, scarring of campsites, erosion and trampled vegetation around campfire sites and environmental damage through collection of firewood). Not an issue on our walks as we don't camp and don't build fires but it helps to know why this is important.

11. Regular monitoring of the condition of walking trails and surrounding areas is carried out (e.g. through photographs, log books) and data and information provided to relevant management authorities ... by our guides.

12. Regular feedback is provided to the protected area manager on the condition of walking trails ... following each tour.

13. Regular maintenance of walking trails (e.g. removal of leaf litter from boardwalks) is carried out by the operator and staff and guests are encouraged to join in on conservation tasks such as track management, wildlife data collections, etc

14. Where track hardening has not been undertaken, tour routes are regularly rotated to minimise impacts at one site. GPS logs enable accurate monitoring of routes used on Australian Walking Tours walks.

15. Australian Walking Tours prepares and hands out minimal impact codes specific to each of its different walking locations.

We encourage all walkers to adopt these ethics and minimise the disturbance we as walkers have the potential to cause.