Are you planning your Australian trip but feeling a bit nervous at the same time? It’s normal to be a little scared about visiting Australia because it’s famous for having many dangerous animals, wild weather and long distances between towns. Well, Australia is a big and beautiful country and to travel Australia safely it’s good to be prepared if you want to have a fun and safe trip. Elsie from Travelbackpack.co explains.

In this post I’m going to share some handy safety tips on wildlife, weather and distance that will give you peace of mind for your Australian travels. So put the negatives of an Australian adventure aside and concentrate on the good things – sun, sand, surf, food and lifestyle – because you will know how to handle any dangers thrown your way. So whether you are travelling Australia solo, in a couple, with friends or with family travelling Australia with kids everyone needs to know some basics about how to travel Australia safe.

Stay Safe Around Wildlife

You’ll find many wild animals in Australia, and a few are dangerous. You should know how to be careful around them. Like a few people have said, Aussies don’t take things too seriously, but there are some things you should take seriously. And that is any encounters with the local Australian wildlife.

Snakes

Australia has a lot of snakes, more than 170 types. About 100 of these are venomous. The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world and is found in Australia. Other dangerous snakes in Australia include the Eastern Brown Snake and the Red Belly Black Snake. You might get scared, but don’t worry, sakes are often more scared of us than we are of them. Snake bites are are, and almost no one dies from them (fewer than two deaths a year). Still, it’s important to be careful when you see them and follow this advice.

• Wear good boots when you walk in long grass or bushes. This is the case if you are planning to hike in Australia as Australia has many great walking tracks and hikes to discover.
• Never touch snakes or spiders.
• If you see a snake, stand still and show them you aren’t a threat.
• If you get bitten, call for help immediately (000 in Australia for emergency help) and try not to move.
• Apply first aid while waiting for help. This includes imobilising the limb.

Spiders

As well as snakes, Australia has some of the most dangerous spiders in the world. The most venomous spider in Australia is the Sydney Funnel Web Spider. You might also see Redback Spiders which are identified by a red cross on their black back. There is a good medicine for their bites. No one has died from a spider bite in Australia in a very, very long time, since the 1980s.

If bitten by a spider, was the bit area with soap and water and apply pressure. Best to seek medical advice. And do take note of the type of spider that bit you incase anti-venom is required. 

Marine Animals

Australia has some very dangerous marine animals that inhabit its waterways and shores. When swimming in northern Australia, particularly Queensland or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef from October to May, you need to be careful. There are dangerous jellyfish like the box jellyfish. If you want to stay safe, swim in stinger nets or wear special swim clothes. Even during the summer months there can be Blue Bottles in the surf at popular Sydney beaches.

Saltwater crocodiles live in rivers and coastal areas in northern Australia. Many visit popular places like Kakadu and Cairns just to see them living in the wild. Do not swim where you see a warning sign. If a sign says that something will kill you, it will! Crocodiles, cliffs, marine stingers, rips. Those signs aren’t there for fun. Crocodile attacks are rare, but they are deadly.

Shark attacks are not common. About one person dies each year. If you’re going swimming, do it at a popular beach that has a lifeguard and make sure you swim between the flags. Australian beaches are fun, but it’s easy to get caught in a strong current or rip if you don’t swim between the flags.

Be Prepared for Weather Extremes

Australia has different weather depending on where you are in the country. It can be raining in one city while another city might have snow and another has extreme heat. In general the summer months are hot and dry in the southern parts of the country while the northern parts are hot, humid with a cyclone or two. Then in the winter months of June, July, August the northern parts of the country can have lovely warm weather while the southern states can be cold with snow on the mountains. But the weather can change fast, so it’s smart for visitors to be ready for anything.

Heat and Sun Exposure

Australia is a very sunny country. The weather can get hot suddenly, no matter the time of year. This is why Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer. The sun’s UV rays are very strong here, especially in summer.

• Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. You will hear the saying ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek Slide’. It is a campaign promoting sun safety. It encourages you to Slip on protective clothing, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses.
• Drink 2-3 litres of water every day. If you’re exercising or outside, drink even more.
• Try to stay indoors or in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is strongest.

Know the Size of the Country

Did you know that Australia is so big that it’s the sixth-largest country on Earth? It’s bigger than 7.6 million square kilometres. Most of its big cities, like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, are on the east coast. And the city of Perth is all the way on the west coast, and it’s a very long drive, over 3,900 km, from Sydney.

If you’re booking flights to Australia, it’s good to keep in mind just how vast the country is. And you should be prepared to travel a lot because the distance between towns can be really long. Suppose you are travelling from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and it’s over 1,500 km. It’s important to always know your route before you go, especially in remote areas where petrol stations, food, and mobile phone service are hard to find.

Driving in Remote Areas

Driving in Australia on a road trip or doing the big lap of Australia will see you drive on different types of road surfaces. From fully sealed roads to dirt highways. You will need to adapt your driving to where you are and the road you are driving on. Some tips for driving in Australia:

• Fill up your car with petrol often, because in some areas, the next petrol station can be more than 300 km away.
• Bring extra water.
• Have a spare tire, and some simple tools for fixing things. Always do some quick car maintenance checks before setting off on any road trip.
• Tell a friend or family member where you’re going and when you’ll get there.
• Download maps on your phone that work without the internet. Your cell phone might not have service in many places.
• Don’t drive at night in the outback. Kangaroos and other animals are very active at dawn and dusk, so be careful and avoid hitting them. If you encounter the wildlife on the road, like kangaroos, slow down and keep driving straight.

Final Words

You might have seen videos on social media of a big spider on the room wall or a snake coming out of a shoe in Australia. This seems like a scene from a horror movie, but it can be the wildlife in Australia. But don’t worry, travelling in Australia is safe and fun if you are smart about it. Remember these simple things. Australia is a huge country. Don’t get too close to wild animals. The weather can be extreme. Use good information from official places like the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), stay alert, and have a great trip!