In Australia, you really don’t have to worry about lions, tigers and bears. Instead, you have to worry about box jellyfish, bull sharks and giant centipedes.
If you are a tourist and you plan on visiting Australia then you have to make sure that you are prepared and that you understand exactly what you’re in for.
After all, if you are planning a road trip then you’ll want to see some of the local wildlife along the way.
This Bayswater Charity Drive infographic is a great resource if you plan on doing that as well, but before you dive right in, it helps to know what dangerous creatures you should expect to run into.
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Saltwater Crocodiles
Crocodiles are rife in Australia and you’ll probably come across them during your trip. There are two different types, the freshwater and the saltwater.
Salties, as Australians like to call them, are very aggressive and they can grow up to 7 meters in length. Park rangers often try and keep the crocs under control and the wet season is when they are most active, so during this time, the waterfalls and gorges tend to be closed for the safety of the public.
To stay safe, never walk too close to a water’s edge if you suspect that there are crocodiles in there and never leave food out if you are camping close to a water source.
Crocs like to nibble and you don’t want to be the main course to their starter of crisps and ham sandwiches.
Snakes
Snakes are also very common in Australia. In fact, Australia is home to some of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
Snakes are aggressive but they will never stalk you unless you provoke them. If you happen to stand on a snake, then you can pretty much expect to be bitten.
If you want to avoid snake encounters, never walk barefoot in the grass and always watch where your feet are going if you are outdoors.
If you are going outside at night, take a torch with you and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Snakes don’t like humans at all, so if you see one, just avoid it and don’t try and get a moment-of-stupidity-selfie. Snakes are camera shy, after all.
Spiders
Contrary to popular belief, Australian spiders aren’t actually deadly. The only one that you have to watch out for is the Sydney Funnel Web Spider.
This is only found in, you guessed it, Sydney. If you do happen to be bitten by a spider, you’ll be taken to the hospital and you’ll be given a good dose of antivenom.
There is a high chance that you won’t even go through serious symptoms either. There isn’t much that you can do to avoid spiders, other than treating them like you would your normal house-spider.
This includes having a nice big Tupperware tub and a piece of A4 paper handy so that you can safely transport them outside. If you happen to see a Funnel Web Spider, try and contact someone to see if it is safe to move.
Now you know how to stay safe as a tourist in Australia!
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Happy Travels
