Plan ahead 

Research the places you plan to visit so you know the types of emergencies you may face. Listen to local warnings and advice to stay safe as the places you are travelling through may be very different than at home. 

Before your trip 

• Check weather conditions for the areas you will be travelling in, including the fire danger ratings.  
• Fire danger ratings predict how dangerous a fire would be if one started. Be prepared to change your plans if conditions change and avoid travelling in areas where the fire danger rating is Extreme or Catastrophic.  
• Let a friend or family member know where you will be travelling and keep them up to date if your plans change. 
• Pack a vehicle emergency kit and include: 
  • Wool blankets 
  • First aid kit 
  • Protective clothing 
  • Drinking water 
  • Torch 
  • Battery operated radio, and 
  • Spare batteries. 
• Check any fire safety equipment such as fire blankets and extinguishers are in good condition and you know how to use them.  
• If you are travelling in a caravan or motorhome, test your smoke alarm is working correctly. 
• If you are travelling during the period of heightened bushfire risk, make a Bushfire Survival Plan so you know what to do and where to go in an emergency. 

For more information, visit the road safety and vehicle maintenance for long trips page. 

Don’t let your vehicle start a bushfire

Many grassfires are caused by sparks from caravans, trailers and other vehicles. Something as simple as a worn bearing, dragging chain, or overheated brakes on a caravan or trailer can make sparks that ignite dry grass.

What can you do? 

• Maintenance: check your vehicle, caravan, or trailer wheel bearings, brakes, and tyres before you travel. 
• Secure chains: make sure safety chains are not dragging on the ground. 
• Check for debris: clear grass, leaves, or debris caught around your vehicle’s exhaust or undercarriage. 

Fire safety for caravans and motorhomes 

Make your next trip fire safe by following these vital steps. 

Smoke alarms 

• From 1 July 2024, all registered caravans or motorhomes whose registration is starting or is transferred must have a photoelectric smoke alarm installed. 
• From 1 January 2027, all other registered caravans and motorhomes must have a photoelectric smoke alarm installed. 
• We recommend unregistered caravans, motorhomes and mobile homes have a working smoke alarm installed to give occupants early warning of fire. 
• Caravan-specific smoke alarms are available from hardware stores. 
• The smoke alarm must be powered by a 10-year non-removable battery. 
• You can install battery-powered photoelectric smoke alarms yourself - they do not require an electrician. 
• You can put the smoke alarm anywhere on the ceiling but we recommend putting it near the bed. If you sleep in the annexe you can also put one there. 
• The smoke alarm should meet Australian Standard 3786-2014. 
• Failure to comply with the requirements is an offence with a maximum penalty of five (5) penalty units (currently $774). 

Escape plan 

• Make an escape plan in case of emergencies. 
• Make sure you know where escape windows and hatches are and how they work. 
• Keep escape path and doors clear. 

Fire safety equipment 

• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Put them near an exit where they are easily accessible and where escape is also an option. 
• Make sure fire extinguishers are charged, inspected, and regularly serviced. 
• Check electrical appliances for frayed cords and any other visible damage. Repair or dispose of the appliance. 
• Test the safety switch before each trip. 

Gas cylinders 

• Turn off all gas cylinders while the caravan is being towed or the mobile home engine is on. 
• Keep gas cylinders outside unless a properly designed storage cupboard has been fitted. 
• Turn off all appliances not being used before going to bed. 
• Gas cylinders, pipes, and fittings should be checked regularly, particularly after driving on country roads. 

Storage 

• Store all clothes and soft furnishings well away from the cooking area. 
• Store all flammable liquids outside the caravan or mobile home. 
• Make sure the extension lead for connecting the electrical supply to your caravan or motor home is in good condition and a suitable capacity for the current load. 
• Replace any damaged cords immediately. 

Download the information sheet and safety checklist for caravans and motorhomes.  

Travelling in a bushfire area

Bushfires move fast, can seriously threaten lives and can be highly destructive. If bushfires are burning in the places you hope to travel to or are already travelling through, plan a new route to avoid the area.  

• Always avoid travelling in areas where bushfires are burning or predicted. 
• Stay alert and drive to conditions: 
  • Smoke from bushfires often crosses roads and highways and can reduce visibility. 
• Follow advice given by police and emergency services personnel if roads are closed. Information on road closures and road works is available at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au 
• Listen for alerts and warnings. Stay tuned to local radio stations for weather and emergency updates in the area. 
  • Find the local ABC Radio Station 
  • Find the local commercial radio station 
  • QFD Facebook 

If you spot a fire while travelling, don’t assume someone else has reported it. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and provide as much detail as possible about the location. 

Where to go if there are bushfires 

Avoid travelling in areas where bushfires are burning. Adjust your travel plans. You may be able to return to the area once the threat has passed. 

If you are travelling during Queensland’s higher risk bushfire period, you need to be ready to change your plans at short notice to avoid any danger. 

If you are unable to leave an area, as a last resort, you may be able to seek shelter at a neighbourhood safer place. Some areas in Queensland have identified a neighbourhood safer place – an open space or building where people can gather to seek shelter from a bushfire. 

If you are caught in the path of a bushfire while driving 

Bushfires can occur without warning and can quickly affect your travel plans. If you are caught in the path of a bushfire, perform a U-turn and drive to safety. If you have time, call Triple Zero (000) to notify the fire service. 

If you can’t escape the path of the fire: 

• Pull over to the side of the road and park in a clear area away from trees with the vehicle facing the fire front. 
• Stay with your vehicle - do not get out and run. 
• Leave the engine running and turn on your vehicle headlights and hazards. 
• Close all vents and windows, cover yourself with a woollen blanket and shelter below the window level. 
• Drink water to stay hydrated. 
• Once the fire front passes, get out of the vehicle and check for burning fires. Don’t attempt to move the vehicle until it is safe to do so. 

Camping safety  

Campsite tips 

• If you are camping in a national park, check to see if you need a permit to camp or light fires. Park alerts, including fire bans, for national parks in Queensland can be accessed here. 
• Pick a cleared space with good access and escape paths. 
• Avoid camping in dry riverbeds, under large trees that may drop branches and areas prone to flooding, high winds, or bushfires. 
• Check the area for any hazards before setting up. Look for previous campfires covered with sand or dirt, and rubbish (broken glass or cans) left by previous campers. 
• Check the weather forecast for your location and tune into local radio stations to stay up to date with conditions. 
• If there are strong winds in the area, make sure to tie down your tent, caravan, or mobile home and secure any loose items around your campsite. 
• Don’t cook or smoke in tents. Never leave your cooking unattended. 
• Make sure tea towels and other flammable items are kept away from cooking appliances and heat sources such as gas stoves, heaters, and campfires. 

Campfire tips 

Before lighting a fire, check for fire bans or restrictions in your area. In Queensland, during a fire ban, you cannot use an open fire for cooking or warmth. You can however use a gas or electric barbecue for cooking. 

• Make sure your campfire is a safe distance from tents and other camping equipment, especially flammable items such as gas cylinders and fuel cans. 
• Light your campfire in a cleared area, free of long grass, scrub and overhanging branches. 
• Use an existing barbecue pit or build a surround out of large rocks where possible. 
• Never use any kind of flammable liquid on a fire; even when you are trying to get it started. 
• Monitor the campfire at all times. Do not leave a fire burning overnight. 
• Have a water source ready to extinguish the fire. Always use water to extinguish your fire, never sand or dirt. 

For more information, read the Campfire and Camping Safety Information Sheet or visit the Queensland Parks and Forests website.  

If you are caught in the path of a bushfire when bushwalking 

• Call Triple Zero (000). 
• Don’t panic and try to outrun the fire. If you see smoke, turn back or find an alternate route. 
• Head for natural fire breaks such as clearings, rocky areas, streams or roads. 
• Keep away from high ground in the fire path and shelter behind a solid object such as a rock to protect yourself from radiant heat. 
• Drink water and cover your mouth with a damp cloth. 
• Move to burnt ground when the fire has passed. 
• Stay in contact with someone and let them know what is happening.