Weird Qld laws you didn’t know existed

From being unable to take a pet goat on a bus to not reversing in long distances or your backyard being too overgrown. Here are some of Qld’s most bizarre rules that you could get fined for.

We’ve compiled a full list of some of the weirdest Queensland laws you didn't know existed.

• Odd road rules that will shock you

Wanting to drive in reverse for a really long distance, or thinking about buying a pet rabbit, or even want to vacuum at night? You might be surprised to learn you could get fined for that.

Among the hundreds of thousands of rules embedded in Queensland’s legislation, there are the oddly specific, quirky and plain weird laws still in effect in the Sunshine State.

The Sunday Mail asked Australian Catholic University legal expert Dr Anne Pickering to break down exactly what these laws mean, and if you could be slapped with a fine. So maybe just hold off buying a rooster for a second.

Don’t vacuum at night

Under the Brisbane City Council’s noise restrictions, a resident should not be using ducted vacuuming systems after 7pm. That also includes using power tools, leaf blowers, grass cutters and impact tools.

“If your neighbour can hear a noise at a nearby residential premises between 7pm and 7am from Monday to Saturday, then a neighbour can complain to the council, and you can be fined for that,” Dr Pickering said. “Even on Sundays and public holidays, the noise limit is from 7pm to 8am.”

You must never own a pet rabbit

Due to the risk of damage to crops, pet rabbits are banned in Queensland, unless you have a special permit. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 a rabbit must not be moved, kept, fed, given away, sold, or released into the environment.

A permit to keep domestic rabbits in Queensland can only be approved if the animal is being kept for an approved purpose including public entertainment like magic shows or for scientific and research purposes.

“I would imagine most people know this but it is really because they are an invasive species in Queensland,” Dr Pickering explained.

You cannot take your goat, pig or cow on a bus

Animals are not allowed on public transport unless they are an approved guide, hearing or assistance animal under the Guide Hearing and Assistance Dog Act (2009).

So technically no, unless a goat is an approved assistance animal, don’t buy a GoCard for it. On the river ferries, however, pet dogs are allowed as long as they remain outside the ferry cabin and are on a leash and muzzled.

You can’t smoke near a skate park or playground

If a person wants to smoke they are required to not be within 10 metres of public skate parks and children’s outdoor playgrounds.

The maximum penalty for someone smoking or vaping in a smoke-free public place is 20 penalty units with an on-the-spot fine of two penalty units.

“This one is actually true and is under section 151, sub section one of the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld),” Dr Pickering said.

“With the fine amount, as of July 1, 2024, one penalty unit was worth $161.30. So if you multiply that with the number of penalty units you will get the fine amount.”

Eddie the 1 year old goat. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Don’t lie when reporting a birth, death or engagement

In Section 21 of the Summary Offences Act 2005 (Qld), if a person incorrectly reports the birth of a child, a person’s death, an engagement, or even reports a funeral for someone who is still alive, they could face huge consequences.

Basically, do not lie about important dates, events, deaths and births.

“So false reporting of offences are true and it has a maximum penalty of 10 units or six months imprisonment,” Dr Pickering said.

“But this one has a limitation period, so if someone finds out 12 months after that it was committed. There is another statute that says a limitation period of after 12 months is superior and so they cannot be charged.”

Don’t have overgrown vegetation in your yard

A maximum penalty of 20 units applies for owners or occupiers of land that have overgrown vegetation on their property. Overgrown vegetation under the Health Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021, could be deemed “unsightly” or unpleasant. Basically, a person could be fined for having an unkempt and unattractive yard. But it doesn’t just cover overgrown vegetation, a person could also be pulled up for having car bodies, large household items, discarded bottles, containers and building hoardings.

You must not drive in reverse for long distances

Under Queensland’s road safety legislation, specifically the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009, drivers cannot “reverse further than is reasonable in the circumstances”.

For example, if a person needs to reverse to get into a car park or to park on the side of the road just reverse enough to do so, don’t go overboard with it.

If caught, a driver could face a maximum penalty of 20 units.

Don’t drive in reverse for too long.

Unattended vehicles must have their windows up

Once a person is more than three metres away from their car, it becomes an “unattended vehicle” under Queensland’s road laws.

To avoid a fine, windows have to be rolled up or have a gap of at least five centimetres or less once that car owner has walked three metres away from the vehicle.

“Now this is an actual rule and I would imagine more people would know this one,” Dr Pickering said.

“You can fined up to 20 penalty units but I think you would have to be really unfortunate.”

You can’t release helium balloons into the air

Releasing any number of helium or “lighter than air” balloons outdoors was banned in Queensland in September 2023.

Dr Pickering specified that the ban did not include inflated balloons or a lantern that carried one or more people like a hot-air balloon.

“The fine for this one is 50 penalty units … but I was actually thinking that really makes sense because they’re coming from an environmental point of view … it’s about ensuring that you don’t litter.”

You must not carry a whip or crack it on a road

Under Traffic Regulation 1962, a person must not carry a whip on any road. They also cannot use it or crack it to annoy someone or interfere with their driving. That also goes for animals; cracking a whip while on the road to disturb or scare an animal is illegal. And for a maximum penalty of 20 units, maybe don’t try it out.

Roosters are off limits in residential areas.

You cannot have a rooster in a residential area

Under the Animals Local Law (2017), roosters cannot be kept in residential areas in Brisbane.

But when it comes to chickens, a person can keep up to six poultry if their property is less than 800 square metres, and up to 20 poultry if their property is more than 800 square metres.

Keeping poultry requires a livestock permit with the council. There is no fee associated with the self-assessment process for keeping poultry, including chickens, for domestic purposes in Brisbane.

“So this one is definitely in effect for Brisbane, the Brisbane City Council does not let you keep roosters in residential areas but you can have some chickens,” Dr Pickering said.

Don’t ride a bike with no bell

When riding a bicycle in public, make sure it is fitted with a working bell or horn. Either a bell or horn is needed to help inform people about sharing bicycle lanes or pathways with the bicycle rider.

“This definitely has to be for safety reasons to let people know that you are coming behind them at a high speed,” she said.

“But again you would have to be unfortunate to get fined here.”

Under Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009, no working bell or horn could mean a maximum penalty of 20 units.

Make sure your bike has a bell.

You must never leave your car unlocked  

Another one of Queensland’s road safety laws, a car must be locked or secured once the owner is more than three metres away from the vehicle.

Once a person is three metres from their car, it is deemed an unattended vehicle and they could receive a fine.

You must give way to a horse on the road

Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles are allowed on Queensland roads unless a sign prohibits them.

But they must obey all road rules that apply to drivers of motor vehicles, including traffic signs. So if a car has to give way, then the horse must as well.

When riding on a footpath or nature strip, horse riders must give way to pedestrians.

“I mean this is a pretty interesting one, but you do have to do it. And it goes both ways, if you don’t obey the road rules when sharing the road with a horse, it can have a fine of 20 penalty points,” Dr Pickering said.

“So if you’re driving and a horse is crossing, or if it is resting by the side, you have to let it rest or give way to it.”

Police will be after you should you take your pet pig on a bus.

Do not sleep in your car

In Brisbane, it is illegal to camp overnight in a vehicle on a road unless it is in a designated camping area or a tourist accommodation area. People are only allowed to sleep in their car for safety reasons, for example, to manage fatigue after driving a long distance. Council could issue a fine if a person is found camping in their vehicle overnight on a road or park in Brisbane.