Australian Travel Tips and Hazards

Australia is generally a very safe and easy-going country to explore. Nevertheless, it’s always important to be aware of potential environmental risks, such as bushfires, rough surf and extreme desert heat. Furthermore, you need to take sensible precautions when it comes to sharks and poisonous animals. With the following common-sense tips, you can safely enjoy Australia’s varied landscapes.

Personal Security

On a world scale, Australia has a very low crime rate and in addition to that a stable political system. Australians profit from a safe lifestyle in their country and as a result it is a safe destination for tourists, too. Australian tourists can easily enjoy unhindered travel experiences in terms of their personal safety and security.

Sun protection

The Australian sun is very strong and some people underestimate this danger. To avoid the risks, you should always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion, even on cloudy days. If you spend the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly. Furthermore, it is best to stay completely out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.

Poisonous Animals

Marine stingers occur in tropical waters from November to April. During this time you should swim within stinger-resistant wetsuits. You will also need to protect yourself when swimming or diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef. To avoid snake and spider bites you should naturally wear protective footwear during bushwalks and hikes. If bitten by a spider or a snake, seek immediate medical attention. In general, deaths from snake bites are extremely rare. Since anti venoms were made available in 1981, there have been few deaths from spider bites.

Sharks

Shark attacks in Australia are very uncommon. Shark netting on Australian beaches restrain sharks, but you can further reduce your risk by always swimming between the flags on patrolled beaches. What you should always avoid is swimming at dusk or evening, a long way offshore, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water.

Swimming

Australia’s amazing beaches can hold invisible risks in form of heavy currents called rips. You can avoid this danger by always swimming between the red and yellow flags, which mark the safest place to swim on the beach. Lifeguards generally oversee beaches during the warmer months of October to April, but some of the most popular beaches are patrolled all-year round.

Bushfires

Australians live with the risk of bushfires. The highest danger period is from late spring into summer. During this time you should attend some simple safety precautions. Before setting out on a journey, inform yourself of bushfire risks areas. When camping, use designated fireplaces and respect road warning signs and total fire bans.

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Pictures by Curtls MacNewton https://www.flickr.com/photos/curtismacnewton/ and Marko Mikkonen https://www.flickr.com/photos/markomikkonen/.