Australian Dangers

A funny guide to help you survive Australia's dangers

Ocean dangers come first in our list, as backpackers are known to love Australia for its idyllic and surf beaches. There are some factors you, traveller, tend to forget, though: sometimes beaches can get so windy that, although you were hoping to get tanned with a compulsory 50 SPF sunscreen, you don't get tanned at all with sand covering your body entirely. Then you may want to go for a swim and wash the sand away, but then other obstacles will turn out:

Strong Currents (called "rips")

You may even be an expert swimmer, however, you cannot defeat the powers of nature: the harder you fight against the current, the more tired you get. Always swim between the flags and don't go too off-shore. In case a rip takes you, just hope the current will take you back ashore and a lifeguard will spot you.

Stingers, box jellyfish and Irukandi

Although very small, irukandi and friends are extremely venomous. Unless you want to look ridiculous wearing those full body lycra wetsuits, just enjoy the swimming pool during the jellyfish season (from November to March in Tropical Australia)!

Sharks

It's not a myth coming from the film Jaws. Sharks really exixt and do actually love chewing unexpert surfers! No wonder why people new to surf are called shark biscuits in the Aussie lingo!

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are known to be found in rivers and swamps, right? You're wrong. In Australia they also have saltwater crocodiles: should a shark not be hungry one day, a croc may be starving!

Beach dangers may be over, but there's also a lot of land in Australia. And dangerous nature can be just around the corner!

Red Back Spiders

You'd better not spot these lovely little creatures with thair curious red back, as Latrodectus hasseltii is one of the most seriously harmful spiders to humans.

Snakes

The photo explains it all, doesn't it?

Dingoes

Allegedly they love crunching little babies. They're also fond of backpackers' picnics on Frazer Island in particular, watch out for your yummie sandwiches!

Flies

How many flies can you count? Focus on the bag. Australian flies are so aggressive they are not bothered by you continuously shaking. They keep on trying to stick in your nose, ears and just think about how many you can possibly eat in a day wihout even knowing.

Remote Areas

You may really want to give way to someone while wandering (hopefully by car) around remote areas. There are some destinations in Australia where coaches run twice a... week! No kidding. Make sure you're not missing that one!

Cyclones

Supermarkets in Darwin warn their customers to buy plenty of food and drinks as the cyclon season approaches. You may get stuck you at home or in your hostel for days because of heavy rains!

Floods and Billabongs

Sometimes your road trip can be interrupted by floods and there's nothing you can do. When the wet season starts in Tropical North you'd better head south!

Anything crossing your road

From obvious kangaroos, to white peakocks, cute duck and ducklings families, snakes and bobtail lizards, anything could be crossing your road. Drive safe!

Deadly cactus in the CBD

Who said that deadly creatures can only be found in the outback? In Perth CBD a cactus allegedly killed a young lady, unless you think this picture was photoshopped!

Leprechauns

These little Irish creatures can be found on the borders between Northern Territory and Western Australia. This road sign was found in a roadhouse: drivers passing by those areas have been warned!

Now that you are aware of all the dangers you may encounter in the Land Down Under, you can't help but enjoy your Aussie challenging adventure.

Try to have a SAFE Oz trip! ;)