Australia has been a center of attraction for travel and tourism. Boasting of unique and diverse attractions for tourism, cities in Australia are popular destinations for travelers seeking a memorable vacation experience. Australia is known for iconic attractions such as Sydney Opera House, unique wildlife and nature, adventure and outdoor activities, urban tourism and food culture amongst others. Tourism is a big deal in Australia. Based on official record, tourism directly contributed $78Bn which is 2.9% of Australia’s GDP between 2023-2024 and short-term visitors spent $174bn within the same year.
“More than 80% of our plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world. Some of our Australian animals are very well known like kangaroos, dingos, wallabies and wombats and of course the koala, platypus and echidna.” _Nature Australia. How dangerous are these wildlife? If you are someone like me who hates creepy things like snakes and spiders, you may not consider Australia as your next stop for vacation. In this post, I will guide you on how to safely navigate Australia’s most daunting wildlife encounters.
Top 20 things to do in Australia
This blog post discusses top places to see wildlife in Australia.
In order to ensure safety and avoid risking breaking of animal protection laws, it is important tourists take some measures around animals.
Tips on How to Maintain Safe Measures Around Wildlife
1. Keep Safe Distances from Wildlife. Do not attempt to approach, touch or feed the animals. They can be aggressive sometimes. Do not exploit animals.
2. Stay on designated paths to maintain National Parks Protocol: Follow all guidelines for walking trails in national parks and reserves to protect wildlife habitats.
3. Ensure compliance with Wildlife Regulations, Guidelines and Local Laws. Breaching the laws can lead to fines or removal from the country or even have legal consequences. Australia is known for enforcing its wildlife laws.
4. Pay attention to signage and posts. Observe any warning signs about dangerous animals such as crocodiles, snakes, jellyfish, spiders, etc. Be careful of venomous and dangerous animals. You can wear sturdy boots and long trousers to prevent bites from dangerous animals. Always stay on the alert.
5. Exercise caution during swimming. When swimming or diving, be mindful of potentially dangerous creatures like jellyfish, sharks, or crocodiles. Always follow safety guidelines provided by tour operators. Ensure you book tours with operators that prioritize animal welfare.
6. Educate Yourself on Local Wildlife. Learn about local species: Familiarize yourself with the wildlife in the region you’re visiting, especially dangerous or protected species, to understand how to behave responsibly. Understand the appropriate steps to take for your own safety in case of emergency.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, home to over 1,500 fish species, sea turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks.
Visit Fitzroyisland website for 10 reasons you need to visit The Great Barrier Reef.
Image Source: Bushheritage.org.au
“Wombats are marsupials with brown, tan or grey fur and from their stubby tails to their large skulls they can measure 1.3m long and weigh 36kg.
Often described as ‘stout’, ‘sturdy’ or ‘powerful’, they’re expert diggers with short, muscular legs and sharp claws. They normally waddle but can run at an impressive 40kph” ~ bushheritage.org.au
Australia is a warm country, and the presence of reptiles in this country is high. There is no part of mainland Australia that is completely free of snakes and spiders, but some islands are known to have little to no populations of these creatures. If you are wary of creepy things like me, you may consider visits to the following destinations.
Snake- and Spider-Free (or Low Population) Areas
Tasmania – While Tasmania does have snakes and spiders, the number of dangerous species is lower compared to the mainland.
Norfolk Island – Norfolk Island is considered free of dangerous snakes. However, this does not exclude the presence of some spiders. Although, they are considered harmless
Lord Howe Island– No native snakes but have spiders.
Kangaroo Island– While it does have spiders, it is said to lack many of the highly venomous ones found on the mainland.
Macquarie Island (far south, between Australia and Antarctica) – No snakes or spiders due to its harsh climate.
**Disclaimer
This post is for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as professional advice or used for promotional purposes.
