Activity safety guidance

A diverse range of activities and outdoor recreation are on offer in state forests, with sites, tracks and trails available for all ages and abilities.

Whether you're seeking thrills and adventure or slow and scenic nature walks, make sure you know how to stay safe when exploring the forest.

Travelling to and in the forest

Be sure to know where you are going and the conditions to expect when travelling in state forests. If you are relying on mobile phone or online maps, always have a hard copy map as a backup in case your mobile phone loses service, is lost or broken.

If travelling by vehicle, remember that most roads in forests and parks are unsealed, do not have marked lanes and are typically narrower than urban roads. Many roads are suitable for 4WD vehicles only.

Road safety

• Slow down when approaching corners and always keep to the left.
• Always be aware of oncoming traffic – large trucks and 4WDs commonly use forest roads.
• Know your limitations and your vehicle’s and if you can’t easily drive down a road, turn back.
• Do your research to understand the likely road conditions before you travel.
• Have up-to-date maps (both online and offline or printed) with directions to your destination.
• Check for road closures before you go. Many roads and tracks are seasonally closed between the June long weekend and the end of October or may be closed due for maintenance. Closures can be viewed on MapShare or the More To Explore app (current road closures show as red lines and upcoming/proposed road closures show as purple lines).

Bushwalking

Pack supplies

• Take food and water (at least 2 litres per person in summer).
• Take a fully charged mobile phone but be aware that many forest areas do not have mobile phone coverage.
• Download the More To Explore app and use it to create offline maps for when you don’t have mobile phone coverage. You should also consider taking a backup hardcopy topographical map and compass.
• Protect yourself from the elements – pack a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and raincoat and wear sturdy, practical footwear. A first aid kit and torch are also recommended.

Let someone know

If you are going on an unfamiliar walk or somewhere remote, it’s a good idea to let someone know so they can be your emergency contact. Tell them the following information:

• start time and date and expected return time and date
• walk location, route and any overnight stops
• names of people in your group and any medical conditions they may have
• vehicles and their registration numbers
• details of equipment being carried on the walk.

Considering a more challenging walk?

If you want to try a more challenging walk, consider going with a club or with more experienced walkers. Bushwalking Victoria is the peak group representing bushwalkers in Victoria and welcomes new members.

Their bushwalking manual provides comprehensive guidelines and information for safe and enjoyable community-based bushwalking.

Mountain bike and trail bike riding

• Ride tracks slowly until you are familiar them. This will help you learn about any blind corners, steep drop-offs and other sections requiring caution. It can be useful to first walk the most challenging sections to better prepare for them and avoid them if needed.
• Check there are no trees or large branches lying across tracks.
  Ride to your ability and control your speed. Most accidents happen when people ride beyond their skill level and out of control.
• Avoid riding on illegal track networks in state forests. If a track isn’t showing in the More To Explore App then it’s an illegal track. These networks have typically been established by amateurs, meaning they haven’t been built to standard and are often poorly constructed. Risks go unassessed and unresolved which can lead to fatal outcomes.
• Don’t ride alone (for trail bike riders in particular) and let someone know where you are going so searchers know where to look if you don’t return.
• Be prepared by taking these items with you:
  • a map (hardcopy and electronic)
  • food and water
  • a first aid kit
  • a mobile phone or other means of communication if riding in a remote area with no phone coverage.

Four-wheel driving

• Check for seasonal road closures on the More To Explore app.
• If encountering water crossings, make sure they are at a safe depth, not flowing too quick and there are no hidden obstacles. Remember that winter rain may bring higher water levels.
• You may need to drop tyre pressures on muddy, wet tracks. This can help prevent you getting bogged and helps to protect the environment and reduce damage to tracks. Carry tyre gauges and deflators and make sure you have a compressor or can easily get to a nearby town to reinflate your tyres.
• Let people at home know your route and when you're expected back, especially when travelling in during wetter months when roads can become slippery and during colder climates at location where there’s snow. Bring extra food and water and plenty of spare warm clothing.
• Consider a 4WD training program through a provider like 4WD Victoria. No matter your skill level, there’s always more to learn.

Spending time near water

Every year, people drown in public waterways across Victoria or suffer serious injuries from diving into shallow water or submerged objects.

For inland waterways, such as rivers, creeks and lakes, key risks include strong currents, submerged branches and rocks and waterfalls. For sites with waterfalls, strong currents can trap you underwater so it’s important not to swim too close or underneath them.

Water safety

Royal Life Saving recommends these 4 water safety tips:

1. Avoid alcohol around water.
2. Never swim alone.
3. Wear a lifejacket.
4. Learn how to save a life.

Check out Water Safety Victoria for more information.

Always check conditions before entering the water and be aware of the latest flood information.

Environmental water releases

Some rivers are subject to environmental releases from dams further upstream which can result in ‘high flow’ events. This may mean an increase in the height, width and speed of water flowing downstream.

You can check for current and planned environmental releases in the Carran Carran (Thomson), Wirn Wirndook Yeerung (Macalister), and Durt’Yowan (Latrobe) rivers at West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

Flood safety

Flash flooding can occur very quickly with heavy rainfall and official flood warnings may not always come out immediately. For this reason, you should stay alert to weather updates and warnings:

• Check the weather forecast and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology
• Check the Victoria SES local flood guide for the area you are visiting
• Visit VicEmergency or download the app for any flood warnings and emergency information.

Never enter floodwaters and avoid areas impacted by storm and flood events while warnings are in place. Take extra care when visiting areas after a flood event as they may be unsafe due to saturated soils, flood debris and blocked access tracks. Trees are also more likely to fall where there’s wet soil and high winds.

If a flood warning is issued by VicEmergency while you’re camping, follow the advice and leave before the water starts to rise.

Learn more about flood warnings and how to stay safe.

Page last updated: 21/01/25