Sustainable Camping Queensland Tips – Food Storage

There’s nothing quite like a barbeque when camping in Queensland with family and friends. The sun’s out, and the smell of sizzling sausages is enough to break up a game of beach cricket.

But before you dig out the tent and pack the swag, it’s important to plan ahead and consider your camping food storage system for when on the road.

With such a diverse and beautiful environment, the Moreton Bay Region’s local wildlife includes birds of prey like raptors, as well as dingoes, goannas, lace monitors, and foxes.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping the animals out, and your rubbish and food in.

Storage options: keeping animals out and rubbish in

If you own a fully-equipped camper trailer, you may already have a food storage container on hand. Made from hardy materials like metal, they have sliding storage trays which can be closed and locked away. These types of set-ups are ideal for keeping curious animals out.

Another option is a durable, plastic container or tub. These are affordable, readily available at your local camping or hardware store, and can be used for storing both food and rubbish. Most will come with a fitted lid and/or holes, so you can tie them up securely. This ensures larger animals, like dingoes, can’t push them over and reach the contents.

Saying ‘no’ to single-use plastics

When setting out on your next camping adventure, have a think about how you will transport and store your perishable food.

Single-use plastics you find at your grocery store are a big no-no (think disposable sandwich containers, cookie trays with covers, and plastic bags), and it’s best if you can avoid them. Why? They are very dangerous to our marine animals, and a major cause of turtle drownings. Birds and fish can also ingest them and, as they are not biodegradable, they can hang around our habitats for a long time.

What’s the solution? Transfer the contents of single-use plastics into reusable (Tupperware or similar) containers. This practice is not only eco-friendly, but will save you from accumulating rubbish when you get to the beach, park, or campgrounds.

Clean and safe beaches: it’s everyone’s responsibility

The most important thing to remember when camping is: if you bring it, take it!

For the enjoyment of others and the sustainability of our treasured parks and wildlife, we ask that campers respect local ecosystems and tread softly when enjoying the outdoor experiences in the Moreton Bay Region. The ecology of our waterways and bushlands is important.

Video proudly supported by Austrack Campers, Australian Coastal and Marine Ecology (ACME), and Visit Moreton Bay Region. Spoken by Mat Davis of ACME.

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Looking for more things to do and see? Pop into one of the region's Accredited Visitor Information Centres. The volunteers have a wealth of local knowledge.