{"id":69830,"date":"2025-07-01T19:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T09:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=69830"},"modified":"2025-12-09T02:34:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T15:34:17","slug":"is-australia-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/is-australia-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is travelling to Australia safe? Everything you need to know before you go"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Well-known icons like Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee<\/strong> are likely to blame for Australia’s ‘dangerous’ reputation, but fear not \u2013 Australia is safe (and super stoked to have you).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australia ranks in the top 20 most peaceful countries, according to Vision of Humanity’s 2025 Global Peace Index<\/a>. It has low violent crime rates and very few terrorism-related incidents. It is a generally safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers and very rarely experiences earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions.

And while the wildlife has made a name for itself on talk shows, nature documentaries and various urban legends, I can assure you that most of the time, it does actually stay in the wild. We humans tend to scare off animals, so even during outdoor activities, they\u2019re not likely to come too close.

But if you need a little reassurance, take my word for it as an Aussie writer \u2013 you\u2019ve likely been misled about the great Down Under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, let\u2019s address the elephant \u2013 or better yet, the koala \u2013 in the room: our animal amigos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Two<\/a>
Two snorkellers swim by a whale shark off Western Australia in Ningaloo Reef<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Animals on land and sea: what you need to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spiders, snakes, and sharks, oh my!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The big three critters people ask about are snakes, spiders and sharks. And hey, we get it. They\u2019re not exactly the cutest animals out there. So, it might come as a surprise to hear that they’re actually not as big a threat to your Australia holiday as you may think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spiders are actually doing you a favour by keeping the flying insect population down (such a win). They\u2019re generally harmless, nocturnal, mostly stick outside and are labelled as non-aggressive. You’re unlikely to come into contact with the few harmful species we have in Australia as they prefer to hide away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot tip to avoid an eight-legged interaction: if you’ve left shoes or a backpack outside, shake them out before putting them on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Snakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sure, snakes live in Australia, but so do kangaroos. And just like kangaroos, snakes aren\u2019t usually found in cities and major tourist areas; they prefer to be in their own habitat, typically in the desert or dense bushland. They\u2019re also not very fond of people and are even known to be shy. The best advice? If you see a snake, leave it alone and it\u2019ll do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take extra precautions when hiking. It’s recommended that you wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Also, try to make loud stomping noises when moving to scare them off. It’s a good idea to have a guide by your side, especially if bushwalking in an unfamiliar area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bushwalks are a uniquely Australian experience, made even more memorable with a First Nations guide who can teach you about the landscapes and share the stories of the people who have lived within them for thousands of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Melbourne to Kangaroo Island Adventure<\/a><\/div>
11 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
East Coast Australia Adventure<\/a><\/div>
19 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Tasmania's Maria Island Winter Escape<\/a><\/div>
3 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sharks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once, on a boat trip off the coast of Australia, a passenger asked our captain if there were sharks in the water. Used to this question, he told us to dip our fingers into the ocean and taste the water: ‘If it\u2019s salty, that means there are sharks.’ His message was simple: sharks live in the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in Australia, we do take action to deter them or warn people about certain areas. Some popular beaches use shark nets or even fence-off areas of water to allow swimmers a stress-free dip. Others will have lifeguards who watch for potential movement and ring an alarm to get people out of the water if a shark is sighted. If you’re concerned about swimming in the ocean, opt for a lifeguard-patrolled beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Close<\/a>
A crocodile sunbathes in the Northern Territory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What about crocodiles, jellyfish and stingrays?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, I’ve cleared the air about the big three, but what about the other toothy, stingy and barbey wildlife that call Australia home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crocodiles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Australia, crocodiles are only found in the far tropical northern regions (so you won\u2019t find one in Sydney Harbour). They like to hang out by any type of saltwater, largely the ocean, rivers, swamps, billabongs (Australian term for natural pools of water) and floodplains. Authorities will monitor popular areas and work to keep them croc-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always check the signs before swimming anywhere, especially in the northern regions of Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jellyfish and stingrays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most dangerous jellyfish, the box jellyfish, is found in Australia’s northern waters. Other jellyfish species that can cause painful stinging include bluebottles in the eastern regions of Australia. If you think you\u2019ve been stung, get help from a lifeguard or first-aid professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stinger season runs from around November to April, when jellyfish are found in the water. Ocean swimmers at Australia’s northern beaches, places like Cairns and Whitehaven Beach, are encouraged to wear a ‘stinger suit’ during these times. These full-body suits are usually thinner than regular wetsuits but protect most of the body from stings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stingrays sadly have a bad reputation, but they really shouldn\u2019t. These marine animals are not usually aggressive and only use their barbed tail if threatened. Keep an eye out for them before wading into the ocean and avoid contact with the bottom of a reef when diving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: How travelling in my own country felt as inspiring as a trip overseas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is one of Australia’s famed beaches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The weather, the sun and the sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that I’ve covered the wildlife, there are still a few things you should know about staying safe in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water safety: riptides and ocean swimming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rip current<\/a>, or a \u2018rip\u2019 to Aussies, is the term used to describe the motion of water as it returns to the sea after coming ashore. This water is often fast-flowing and may take you out to sea if you get caught in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to be safe while ocean swimming:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n