Am due to go to Australia in the near future but am VERY anxious due to the venomous critters that live there!

Question

Any tips on how to relax whilst being in the company of such things; especially as I will have my young kids with me and I will worry about them getting bitten or stung too. Please help as I'd quite like to have a nice time!

Answer 1

The threat of those sort of things in Australia really is overstated, and to be honest, the most dangerous thing you'll probably see it a Huntsman spider (big, hairy brown spiders that come inside when it rains, but they are VERY timid, and NOT deadly) or a crocodile in the zoo.

If you were to be bitten by something dangerous, rest assured that medical help for that sort of emergency is very good in Australia, and you will most likely be ok. (we havent had a death from spider or snake bite for quite a while. At LEAST 7 years)

These are some tips you can use to make yourself safer when you come out here:

1. When hiking or walking around in the bush, where sturdy, fully enclosed boots with thick, high socks. This will make it more comfortable, and reduce the chance of a snake bite on the foot.

2. If you see a snake in the wild, STOP & FREEZE. Do NOT run, or worse still, go towards it. It may sound foolish, but snakes cannot see what they are biting unless they are moving. Stop moving, and you will appear like a tree to the snake, and it will leave you alone.

3. If you see a snake which looks dead, do not touch it. Many species play dead but can still give a nasty bite when picked up. This is especially common for sea snakes.

4. If camping, or using sleeping bags, turn them inside out when not using them. That way you reduce the chance of crawling into bed at night to discover an unwelcome visitor.

5. If you leave your shoes outdoors overnight, or for any long period of time, shake them out before putting them on. Spiders will sometimes crawl into the at night, so give them a shake to be sure.

6. NEVER go swimming in ANY creeks or dams with crocodile warnings up. When in Northern Australia, ask a local if it's safe before going in the water. Just because you cant see them, doesnt mean the croc's arent there.

7. Do not go swimming at unpatrolled beaches. Swim between the red & yellow flags. These areas are patrolled by trained life savers. This is very important in north Queensland, because other areas maybe at risk of Box Jellyfish infestation.

8. Most book shops in Australia sell first aid guide books, which you might consider buying if going off the beaten track. They deal with many types of injury, but specifically offer directions on how to treat stings and bites.

While some of the above might sound a little alarmist, you should maintain perspective on the matter. Most Australians RARELY see a snake in the bush, and the same goes for spiders and other dangerous animals.

If you just use common sense towards looking after yourself, you'll be fine. Just remember, these animals are shy, and their first choice will be to hide from you, not attack. If you were to remain in the cities, you would be completely safe, but then again, you'd miss many great places.

Again, remember, the chance of yourself, or someone else being bitten or attacked by something, on an average holiday is SO LOW, it almost doesnt bare thinking about. Relax and enjoy your trip.

Answer 2

Don't worry too much, you find that most of the dangerous animals such as snakes live mainly in the desert area. I live in the city and i dont think I have only seen like one snake in my life. To be safe you should educate ur self about what the dangerous snakes/spiders ect. look like and always keep emergency numbers with u just in case. Just rememeber if you get bitten by a snake DONT SUCK THE POISION OUT. Its the stupidist thing to do. Mosquestios are the only real problem esp. in summer but its winter atm, and they are nothing that repellant cant fix! it is very unlikely that you will enounter any dangerous creatures especially in the city areas such as Sydney n Brisbane. If you plan to go bushwalking it will be best to go with a tour group as the tour guide will be able to help if anything goes wrong. If you intened to go to the beach you should pay attention to the signs posted. Enjoy coming to Australia and don't worry too much about venomous creatures becuase they are a rare occurance in Capital cities.

Answer 3

You sound like how I was when I first went there...extremely paranoid and really for no reason.

To be on the safe side though, do not leave shoes outside (especially in Queensland and north of that). If you do, make sure you shake them out thoroughly. And if in Sydney, don't let the kiddies run around on the grass with no shoes on. In rural areas, thats when you should start checking under the toilet seats.

You'll probably go through your whole trip without seeing anything so don't let the worrying about creepy crawlies take away from your enjoyment of a beautiful country.

Answer 4

People

Answer 5

there is no need to be worried. i lived there for a year and there isnt any danger. its just like going to any other place (insect wise) but u are going to Australia, one of THE most beautiful islands in the world. Enjoy!

Answer 6

all i know is that you always have to keep the toilet seat up, & check it before you sit. Because there are spiders that crawl under the seat and i think they maybe poisonous & have a very nasty bite, so be very careful, but you should be okay

and i hope you have a wonderful time

Answer 7

I was about to say that therre are lots of venomous critters here, too, until I realized that I don't know where your "here" is. Not the USA, I'll bet.

Answer 8

Don,t worry we rarely bite nice people hope you and the children have a good time here.

Answer 9

well if you go out to the outback you really don't have to worry to much when i was their i saw 4 out of the whole trip and i was sleeping in the out back if you stay in town you really don't have to worry to much at all

Answer 10

Just be careful..get some advice from the local tourist board..but don't let it ruin your trip