Eagle-eyed outback residents have been spotting brightly coloured signs popping up through the region lately, with more to come as community-wide initiative, the Aussie Travel Code, spreads.

The cheeky, head-turning signs promote an initiative focused on managing the environmental, social and economic impacts felt by successful tourist destinations. 

For the outback, this includes visitors failing to dispose of their rubbish properly, inadequately burying their biowaste, and venturing off designated roads and getting lost, bogged or disturbing livestock.

The Outback Communities Authority led the effort to get federal funding for the project, with Presiding Member Jan Ferguson OAM confirming the Aussie Travel Code initiative had been welcomed by stakeholders.

“We have had around 40 organisations volunteer to install signs on their properties,” Jan said.

“We've had tremendous feedback from tourism operators, property owners, and other residents who really wanted to see these issues addressed.

“We're pleased by the widespread support for the Aussie Travel Code and want to welcome any other interested parties to join us.”

Flinders Ranges and Outback Tourism chair Jo Fort said it had always been a goal to create a bigger movement towards responsible, respectful travel.

“We first launched in 2020 and the initiative aspires to set an informal 'Code of Conduct' for visitors to unfamiliar regions,” she said.

“It asks travellers to check a region's Code during trip planning to receive localised advice on how to stay safe and travel responsibly.”

The outcomes can be serious when people don't follow the advice, but Jo said they wanted everyone to feel welcome so the Code approached the topics with a bit of levity.

“Becoming a partner of the Aussie Travel Code helps us to meet the needs of a range of stakeholders in a fun and engaging way,” Jo said.

“We assume our visitors are coming here because they love us and the region, and will do the right thing if we help them understand how.” 

To become a partner, or for information on introducing the Aussie Travel Code to your region, visit theaussietravelcode.com.au

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Mark Sutton

Director

Outback Communities Authority

0427 001 969

Jo Fort

Chairperson

Flinders Ranges and Outback Tourism

0419 862 376