Far North Queensland has a great variety of national parks, picnic grounds and wilderness areas for visitors to frolic in. To enjoy your time in the great outdoors it's wise to follow some basic guidelines. Always wear a good quality sunscreen (at least SPF15) and a hat, even on overcast days, as the sun can be very deceiving. Insect repellant is an absolute necessity, particularly during march fly season (September - December). Mosquitos are more prevalent during the wet season and these pesky little critters tend to come out at dawn and dusk. Mosquitos can carry Ross River Fever and Dengue fever, which are unpleasant and potentially serious illnesses, so it's worth the effort with the insect spray. Carrying fresh water with you is a smart idea. Ticks and leeches are potentially dangerous and you should check your body carefully after walking in tick-infested areas. Always take caution when near the water. Rocks can be slippery, currents deceptively strong and submerged rocks are common in creeks and rivers. At the beach, swim within stinger nets during stinger (box jellyfish) season ( November - April) and never swim in a north Queensland river, estuary or beach that has a crocodile warning sign. Don't even think about dangling your toes in the Endeavour River at Cooktown. When in a national park, it's a good idea to check with the ranger with regard to what creeks, if any, are safe to swim in. Crocs have attacked a number of people (tourists and locals) over the past few years so it's no laughing matter. It's not a smart idea to pick up anything in the water as stonefish, butterfly cod, blue-ringed octopus and cone shells can all inflict a very nasty wound. Shark attacks are rare in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Small, harmless species such as white-tipped reef sharks are common on coral reefs and you are likely to encounter these when scuba diving. Dangerous species such as tiger, hammerhead or whalers are generally found on drop-offs from the outer reef. Coral cuts can be very painful and take months to heal, so avoid touching coral. Standing on coral will destroy the coral polyp. Queensland has quite a few venomous snakes but very few are aggressive. Taipans and tiger snakes will attack if alarmed. Always wear boots, thick socks and long trousers when bush walking through undergrowth and never put your hand into a crevice or a hole. Never feed or play with native animals. Cassowaries, though very pretty, are very territorial and can be unfriendly if encountered in the wild. If you do come across a cassowary, raise your arms and walk backwards slowly. Leave Fido at home as cats and dogs are responsible for killing thousands of native animals every year. Take care with fires, use designated fireplaces and bbqs only and heed bushfire warnings if planning a bushwalking trip. Unthinking travellers have had an enormous impact on the environment, so remember the golden rule: Take only photographs and leave only footprints!!!