Nicely-known icons like Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee are more likely to blame for Australia’s ‘harmful’ status, however worry not – Australia is secure (and tremendous stoked to have you ever)
Australia ranks within the prime 25 most peaceable nations on the 2023 Imaginative and prescient of Humanity International Peace Index. It has low violent crime charges and only a few terrorism – associated incidents, is a typically secure vacation spot for LGBTQIA+ travellers and really hardly ever has earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions.
And whereas our wildlife has made a reputation for itself on speak exhibits, nature documentaries and varied city legends, I can guarantee you that more often than not, it does truly keep within the wild. We people are inclined to scare off animals, so even throughout out of doors actions, they’re not more likely to come too shut.
However when you want slightly reassurance, take my phrase for it as an Aussie author – you’ve probably been misled in regards to the nice Down Beneath.
However first, let’s tackle the elephant – or higher but, the koala – within the room: our animal amigos.
Animals on land and sea: what it’s essential to know
Spiders, snakes, and sharks, oh my!
The massive three critters individuals ask about are snakes, spiders and sharks. And hey, we get it. They’re not precisely the cutest animals on the market. So, it would come as a shock to listen to that they’re truly not as huge a risk to your Australia vacation as you could suppose.
Spiders
Spiders are literally doing you a favour by preserving the flying insect inhabitants down (such a win). They’re typically innocent, nocturnal, largely stick exterior and are labelled as non-aggressive. You’re unlikely to return into contact with the few dangerous species we have now in Australia as they like to cover away.
Scorching tip to keep away from an eight-legged interplay: when you’ve left sneakers or a backpack exterior, shake them out earlier than placing them on.
Snakes
Certain, snakes dwell in Australia, however so do kangaroos. And identical to kangaroos, snakes aren’t normally present in cities and main vacationer areas; they like to be in their very own habitat, sometimes within the desert or dense bushland. They’re additionally not very fond of individuals and are even identified to be shy. The perfect recommendation? Should you see a snake, depart it alone and it’ll do the identical.
Take additional precautions when mountain climbing. It’s beneficial that you just put on closed-toe sneakers and lengthy pants. Additionally, attempt to make loud stomping noises when transferring to scare them off. It’s a good suggestion to have a information by your aspect, particularly if bushwalking in an unfamiliar space.
Bushwalks are a uniquely Australian expertise, made much more memorable with a First Nations information who can train you in regards to the landscapes and share the tales of the individuals who have lived inside them for hundreds of years.
Take a look at our vary of Australia journeys that includes guided bushwalks
Sharks
As soon as, on a ship journey off the coast of Australia, a passenger requested our captain if there have been sharks within the water. Used to this query, he advised us to dip our fingers into the ocean and style the water: “If it’s salty, meaning there are sharks.” His message was easy: sharks dwell within the ocean.
Nevertheless, in Australia, we do take motion to discourage them or warn individuals about sure areas. Some fashionable seashores use shark nets and even fence-off areas of water to permit swimmers a stress-free dip. Others could have lifeguards who look ahead to potential motion and ring an alarm to get individuals out of the water if a shark is sighted. Should you’re involved about swimming within the ocean, go for a lifeguard-patrolled seashore.
What about crocodiles, jellyfish and stingrays?
So I’ve cleared the air in regards to the huge three, however what in regards to the different toothy, stingy and barbey wildlife that decision Australia house?
Crocodiles
In Australia, crocodiles are solely discovered within the far tropical northern areas (so that you gained’t discover one in Sydney Harbour). They like to hang around by any sort of salt water, largely the ocean, rivers, swamps, billabongs (Australian time period for pure swimming pools of water) and floodplains. Authorities will monitor fashionable areas and work to maintain them croc-free.
All the time test the indicators earlier than swimming wherever, particularly within the northern areas of Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia.
Jellyfish and stingrays
Probably the most harmful jellyfish, the field jellyfish, is present in Australia’s northern waters. Different jellyfish species that may trigger painful stinging embrace bluebottles within the east coast areas of Australia. Should you suppose you’ve been stung, get assist from a lifeguard or first-aid skilled.
Stingrays sadly have a nasty status, however they actually shouldn’t. These marine animals aren’t normally aggressive and solely use their barbed tail if threatened. Hold an eye fixed out for them earlier than wading into the ocean and keep away from contact with the underside of a reef when diving.
The climate, the solar and the ocean
Now that I’ve lined the wildlife, there are nonetheless just a few issues it’s best to learn about staying secure in Australia.
Water security: riptides and ocean swimming
A rip present, or a ‘rip’ to Aussies, is the time period used to explain the movement of water because it returns to the ocean after coming ashore. This water is commonly fast-flowing and will take you out to sea when you get caught in it.
Learn how to be secure whereas ocean swimming:
- Learn the indicators on the entrance to the seashore
- Swim between the pink and yellow flags
In Australia, this implies it’s the actively patrolled space of the seashore the place lifeguards are scheduled to observe over swimmers and search for risks. Lifeguards will solely put up flags if there are not any rips current so you possibly can swim safely and freely - Know what a rip appears to be like like
Search for water that has a deeper blue or brown color with little to no breaking waves - Should you get caught, don’t put on your self out by attempting to swim again
As an alternative, keep calm, float in your again and sign for assist - Should you’re a robust swimmer, swim parallel to the shore to get out of the present
Bushfires, flooding and cyclones
The danger of bushfires, also referred to as forest fires, is larger in the course of the Australian summer season months (December to February); nevertheless, governments take energetic precautions to forestall bushfires in addition to implement hearth security. Whereas it’s unlikely a bushfire will affect your journey to Australia, test the alert stage within the area you’re visiting earlier than going out into the bush to hike or camp, particularly throughout summer season.
The Australian tropical cyclone season sometimes runs from round November to April and customarily impacts solely the northernmost elements of Australia. This time of 12 months is also referred to as the moist season when there are extra monsoonal rains, thunderstorms, excessive humidity and heat to sizzling temperatures. Many vacationer companies within the northern areas of the Northern Territory will even shut till the dry season (Might to October) begins again up once more.
Flooding is one other pure course of in some areas of the Australian ecosystem and could be very helpful to the surroundings. Flooding largely impacts the low-lying floodplain areas of Queensland and New South Wales. It’s unlikely your plans will probably be affected by flooding.
Let the consultants cleared the path on a small guided tour
Solar security
Do you know that round 18% of Australia is desert and has a number of the highest ranges of UV (ultraviolet) radiation on the planet? In different phrases, the solar is de facto sturdy in Australia. So, you’ll probably have to be proactive to cut back sunburns and sunstroke when travelling to Australia.
From a younger age, Aussies are taught to be solar good by the phrase: ‘Slip, slop, slap, search and slide.’ It’s quick for slip-on protecting clothes, slop-on sunscreen, slap-on a hat, search shade and slide-on sun shades.
Don’t let the solar smash the enjoyable. Right here’s methods to be sun-safe in Australia:
- Use SPF30+ sunscreen (or greater)
Apply 20 minutes earlier than going exterior. If attainable, attempt to purchase reef-safe sunscreen and reapply each two hours after swimming, sweating or towel-drying - Don’t simply depend on sunscreen
Additionally, make sure you’re overlaying up with clothes, hats, and sun shades and staying within the shade the place attainable
The myths, exaggerations and tall tales
We, as Australians, in all probability get pleasure from our label as a rustic with a number of the hardest wildlife slightly an excessive amount of. And whereas there are individuals who dwell and work alongside animals within the wild (suppose farmers, researchers and park rangers), most of us dwell a reasonably comfortable life in suburbia with solely a daddy long-leg spider to shoo away sometimes.
Nevertheless, after we journey and are requested about all these lethal and harmful creatures, there’s little question that we get pleasure from getting reactions from individuals. We even relish it sufficient to inform some tall tales about rabid koalas (a.okay.a. drop bears) threatening us from the timber.
Have we satisfied you but?
Hopefully, your fears have been quashed and also you’re able to hit the waves at Bondi Seaside or gaze up at mighty Uluru. And hey, when you’re on the town, seize a latte within the laneways of Melbourne or say hey to our lovely quokka pals in Western Australia’s Rottnest Island.
Should you’re nonetheless in want of slightly convincing, why not look over our unimaginable Australian itineraries, the place certainly one of our pleasant native leaders will information you thru every part from walks in secluded rocky gorges to award-winning vineyards in South Australia, even snorkelling with tropical fish on the Nice Barrier Reef.
