Outdoor recreation and weeds
Unfortunately the majority of weeds are spread by human intervention or activity. When you are enjoying the great outdoors it is important to take a few simple measures to ensure that you do not spread weeds. Remember weeds spread easily.
- Be aware that weed seeds are transported on vehicles, clothing, shoes, and in pet fur and hair.
- Always stick to designated tracks when walking, horse riding, driving, or riding pushbikes or motorbikes through natural areas.
- Check your boat, trailer, motors, caravans and other equipment for weeds. Remove all plant material and seeds and wash down equipment before you travel to your next location.
- Don't sweep your horse float out in the bush.
- Leave weed seeds and fragments in the weed infested area, burn them in a campfire, or bag and dispose of them responsibly.
- Clean your equipment, boots, vehicles, bikes and trailers when leaving known weed-infested areas. Pay special attention to the undercarriage and tyres of vehicles.
- Clean off-road vehicles by blowing, vacuuming or washing off the dirt and seeds when leaving known weed-infested areas to help prevent the spread of weeds.
- Before travelling off-road, check with the local government or landholder for any travel restrictions due to weed infestations.
- Clean all clothing, shoes and camping gear before leaving a camping site.
- Use only weed-free feed for your horse for eight days before entering country areas, and throughout your trip. Ask your feed supplier for a Weed Hygiene Declaration, if available.
- Remove weed seeds from animals by brushing them thoroughly and cleaning horses' hooves before and after you travel.
- Learn to identify weeds so you know when you are in an infested area.
- Don't pick flowers or plants that you can't identify - they may be weeds.