6 Common Tips to Stay Safe When Travelling To Australia

Snakes, sharks, crocodiles, jellyfish, and spiders are very common in Australia, but Australia is a very safe place to visit. Surviving and staying safe in Australia is very simple especially if you abide by these 6 simple safety tips.

Slip, Slop, Slap

The intensity of the sun in Australia seems to be very high compared to most parts of the world. This sunshine is one of the Australian draw-cards but it also has the power to burn to a crisp. Sid the Seagull in the campaign of 1981 introduced Australians to the three-step sun safety, its message was slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat. It is always important that you protect your body from the sun while in Australian, also drink plenty of water every couple of hours to avoid dehydration.

Look out for flags

The sun is not the only threat traveling to Australia, you need to be mindful of the waters as well. When you swim in Australia be mindful of the flags, they serve as warning signs to keep you from harm. Strong currents called rips also pose a risk even to experienced swimmers so be careful to always swim at safe zones. Resist the urge to swim at night and don’t paddle out beyond your depth.

Be mindful of the animals

There are many native Australian animals you need to be mindful of while in the country. Attacks from sharks are very common and so many at-risk beaches are protected by netting, but always heed to warning signs before making any move. The northern Australian tropics are mostly occupied by Stingers (tiny jellyfish) during summer, so stick to stinger-resistant enclosures found at some beaches and wear protective clothing in open waters. Take careful notice of signs around crocodile habitats like rivers and swimming holes in tropical national parks to avoid an unwanted run-in with a crocodile.

Drive Smart

Make all the necessary preparations before going on a road trip in Australia. Long distances, very high temperatures, and unforgiving terrain are common with road trips in Australia and as such require good preparation. That means a sturdy four-wheel-drive fitted with a GPS and spare tires, an emergency plan, and a well-stocked first-aid kit, at least five liters of water per person per day as well as ample non-perishable food. Never neglect the “stop, revive, and survive” slogan, you need to have a break every couple of hours to refresh yourself.

Be careful of the bush

While in Australia, remember to ’slip, slop, slap’ to protect yourself from the sun, carry plenty of water, keep your distance from animals, respect safety barriers, read maps carefully, and consider the difficulty of the bushwalk before you embark on it. There are lots of bushes of in Australia with plenty of animals in them, it is wise to always consider the bush you are walking into, look out for warnings, and try to stay safe. Bushfires are a constant risk in the warmer, dryer months so obey any fire bans and stick to designated camp fireplaces if you do light up.

Take good care of yourself

It is very unlikely that you will get pick-pocketed in Australia especially with the high minimum wage in the country, but always keep an eye on personal properties. If you keep to all the warnings of the environment, then Australia is entirely a safe place to be. Be on the lookout for any ATMs or credit card machines that smell a little fishy and make digital copies of your important documents in case you misplace them. Remember to always call emergency 000 in case of any emergency. 

Australia is a lovely place to be and have lots of fun but you have to adhere to the rules otherwise you might hurt yourself. Share with us some of your beautiful experiences in the comment box below.