Learn how to stay safe in Australia with our detailed guide covering ocean safety, sun safety, wildlife safety, and more!
Australia is a vast and diverse country that is actually very safe for travelling!
From the golden Sydney beaches of New South Wales, to the otherworldly landscapes of Western Australia, to the rich red deserts of the Northern Territory, to the unique islands of South Australia and more, there is so much to see and do in this incredible nation.
But any time you travel abroad, you should take into account the safety of that country. All travel comes with some risks, and it’s your job as a responsible traveller to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to stay safe.
Luckily, Australia is a safe country to visit in terms of the culture and infrastructure. Petty crime can still happen, but if you exercise normal precautions and use common sense you shouldn’t have too many problems in Australia.
The biggest things to be aware of in Australia are the animals, insects, ocean, and weather conditions. Outdoor adventures generally contain the most risk for tourists, though it’s easy to avoid any accidents with a bit of preparation and knowledge.
We’re going to provide the most important safety tips for Australia! Of course every traveller and trip is different, but there are some general things to know that might help you avoid an emergency.
Prepare yourself for Australia even further with our complete travel guide!
Table of Contents
What to Expect for Safety in Australia
Overall, Australia is a very safe country to visit. Crime is pretty low, people are generally friendly, and the infrastructure is excellent.
The Australian authorities are quite strict, and laws are enforced with hefty fines and penalties for those who break them. This helps make Australia very safe and limits crime, violence, and terrorist attacks which may affect other countries in the world.
Most safety concerns for travellers in Australia come from the natural world! Things like ocean movements, weather, wildlife, and exploring remote landscapes may require extra preparation and knowledge.
Natural disasters, dangerous animals, and wild ocean conditions are what create most of the problems for tourists. Though these things are actually quite rare, any Australia trip can be derailed if you’re not aware of how to stay safe.
General Safety Tips in Australia
When you travel to Australia, practice these basic safety tips to improve your chances of a hassle-free experience. Again, Australia is overall very safe and a bit of common sense can go a long way.
First we’ll cover some general safety tips that apply to travel in most countries. Then we’ll cover the more specific safety tips for Australia that involve the natural world.
Read more of our top travel tips for Australia!
Get travel insurance
Make your trip to Australia safe by getting travel insurance! You really should buy travel insurance for any trip abroad, as it can give you peace of mind while you explore.
An emergency can occur at any time, and though it’s rare, it’s still smart to be prepared. Travel insurance will cover you financially for all or part of your emergency expenses, which can remove a lot of stress from your bank account.
Whether you need medical treatment, your flights get delayed, or something else crazy happens, travel insurance will ensure you are prepared for an emergency.
Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.
Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.
Have an international phone plan
Having an international phone plan where you can call, text, or use the internet is very handy for a trip to Australia.
Though many places have free Wifi, it’s good to have some sort of internet access on your cell phone if you’re away from Wifi.
Maybe you’re going on an Outback road trip or hiking through the mountains. Maybe you’re camping in the wilderness or you just need internet access away from a location with Wifi.
Whether you need to login to an overseas bank account to access your money, or you need to call emergency services in any situation, having a phone plan can be super helpful.
An eSIM for mobile phones is a cheap and convenient way to get data in most countries, including Australia!
Read our review of the Sim Local eSIM, which we love for travelling abroad.
Keep copies of your important documents
Always have copies of your important documents, such as passports, IDs, visas, and insurance records.
Whether you want hard copies or electronic copies stored on your phone or laptop, it’s never a bad idea to have multiple copies of your most important items.
On the off-chance that you lose something or it gets stolen, and you need to visit local authorities or the consular services, you might be able to speed up the recovery process if you have copies.
Drive safely
Many travellers rent cars or campervans to travel around Australia. It’s an amazing country for road trips!
If you are driving in Australia, it’s important to drive with care. Especially if you are used to driving on the right side of the road, you’ll need to be mindful of adjusting to the left side of the road.
Drive according to the speed limits, and be extra careful at dawn or dusk when wildlife is active on the roads.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Have luggage locks
Crime and theft are not super common in Australia, but it’s always a good idea to take precautions. Have luggage locks that you can use to secure your bags, and have a padlock that you can use to lock up your personal belongings in a locker or safe if needed.
Australia is very safe compared to lots of countries in terms of theft. For example, if you go for a swim you can generally leave your stuff right on the beach without worrying about someone stealing it. I’ve lived in Australia for 7 years and no one has ever stolen my things!
That being said, if you’re in a hostel, on public transport, or in a busy tourist area, you can never be too careful.
Be smart when heading into the wilderness
Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and more are very well equipped with emergency services and amenities for travellers.
But remote areas, including rural towns, national parks, and general wilderness, have fewer options for tourists in an emergency.
If you’re road-tripping into the vast Outback, stock up on extra fuel, spare tires, recovery gear, maps, or anything else you might need on the road.
If you’re camping in the wilderness, make sure you pack clothing and gear for all types of weather conditions. Have emergency communication devices, extra water and food, and a first aid kit.
If you’re going hiking, make sure you have good shoes, extra food and water, a first aid kit, some sort of navigation method, and stay on the marked trails.
Try to plan your outdoor adventures for periods of nice, dry weather, and be prepared for anything that might go wrong.
Check out our complete packing list for Australia!
Ocean Safety in Australia
Whether you’re on a busy tourist beach in the Gold Coast or a remote beach in a rural area with no one around, it’s essential to be cautious in the ocean when travelling Australia.
Ocean accidents are all too common for tourists, mainly for those who don’t have much experience with the ocean. The ocean isn’t always dangerous, but an unexpected wave or rip current can turn a very peaceful day of swimming into something less pleasant.
It’s important to be aware of your surroundings while swimming or strolling along the rocks near the beach in Australia. Here are some helpful tips for staying safe on your beach trip Down Under!
Swim only at patrolled beaches
A general rule of thumb for most travellers in Australia is to only swim where there is a lifeguard. Most popular beaches around the country will have red and yellow flags that mark where it is safe for swimming.
Outside of these flags, there may be strong currents. Lifeguards put the flags up for a reason, so just stick to swimming within the flags!
In addition to minding the flags, you’re always better off swimming at a patrolled beach. Or at the very least, swim at a beach where there are other people around.
Swimming at a remote beach with no one else around means you’re all alone if there does happen to be an emergency. So just take precautions and try to swim where you have others around to help if needed.
Only those who are very experienced with the ocean should be fine if they choose to swim at a remote beach with no one around.
Read next: The 12 Best PERTH BEACHES – A Local’s Guide
Learn to spot and avoid rip currents
If you do want to swim somewhere where there are no lifeguards or flags, you should know how to spot rip current. There is nothing scarier than getting caught in a rip and pulled out to sea, so don’t just dive into the ocean without checking for rips first.
Sometimes beaches in Australia may looks inviting and safe, but you can never be too careful. It’s pretty easy to spot a rip once you know what to look for, so just brush up on that knowledge and it will make your beach experience so much more enjoyable!
Avoid swimming during large swells or bad ocean conditions
Even if you know how to spot a rip current and you’re feeling confident in your swimming abilities, it’s still a good idea to avoid the ocean in large swells.
Big, heavy waves can turn an otherwise tranquil beach into something potentially dangerous. So use your judgement and steer clear of the ocean in trecherous conditions.
Even avoid walking on the edge of the ocean in big swells, because you never know when a rogue wave could come and sweep you off your feet. Tourists often get in accidents while walking on the rocks near the beach in big swells or high tides, so just be cautious!
Sun Safety in Australia
Don’t underestimate sun safety in Australia! The sun is very strong here, especially in the summer months and in tropical climates in places like Queensland or the Northern Territory.
These may be obvious, but here are some ways to protect yourself against the sun during outdoor activities in Australia.
Always wear sun protection
Whether you’re sightseeing in Sydney, snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, or hiking in Tasmania, sun protection is always a good idea.
Wear a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight, sun protective clothing. On your exposed skin, wear reef-safe sunscreen that will prevent sunburn without being toxic to the environment. This is extra important in places with delicate ecosystems, such as in Lake McKenzie on K’gari or in the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.
Be extra vigilant about sun protection in summer, in warm climates, and at high altitudes.
Stay hydrated
You can also prevent heat exhaustion by staying hydrated in Australia. Drink plenty of water when out hiking, surfing, camping, backpacking, or exploring the oceans on boat trips.
Have a refillable water bottle so you can stay hydrated no matter what your travel plans. Tap water is safe to drink in Australia as well!
Safety around Wildlife in Australia
Most tourists think they are going to run into a dangerous animal around every turn in Australia. Though there are plenty of deadly creatures Down Under, they are not as much of a threat as you may think.
Most tourists tend to stick to the big cities, where finding poisonous snakes and spiders are extremely rare. So don’t let the fear of wildlife hinder your Australia trip!
But if you are heading out into remote areas, you’ll come across more animals, insects, and marine life. In these cases, there are some ways to stay safe around Australia’s iconic creatures.
Never approach any wildlife
No matter where you are in Australia, never approach or touch any wild animals. Even if it’s an adorable-looking koala or wallaby, just keep your distance and admire from afar.
Wild animals are unpredictable. To avoid any injury or disease for both humans and animals, just stay away! But definitely observe the wildlife at a safe distance, because Australia’s native animals are incredible.
If you want to get closer to the wildlife, visit an official wildlife sanctuary or zoo where there are experts ensuring people are safe and the animals are happy.
Be wary of stinger season in the Tropical North
Every year between November and May, the oceans around Tropical North Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia have their “stinger season”.
This is when the ocean becomes inhabited with jellyfish such as Irukandji and Box Jellyfish. Both can be harmful to humans, and they are very hard to spot while swimming or snorkelling in the ocean.
If you’re going in the ocean around Northern Australia between November and May, make sure you have a stinger suit. These are lightweight, full-body wetsuits that will protect your skin against jellyfish stings.
You can usually buy or rent these at local shops, and guided boat tours will usually provide them for guests.
Know your venomous snakes and spiders (mainly for remote regions)
If you are spending time in the remote parts of Australia, where run-ins with wildlife are more common, it’s smart to know which creatures are actually venomous.
Australia does have some venomous spiders and snakes, but many are not venomous. Instead of fearing every creepy-crawly you come across, learn how to spot the harmful ones!
You can even get a handy chart that shows you what to look for when identifying poisonous snakes or spiders. Many tourists get too worked up over the snakes and spiders when they travel to Australia, but a little research will arm you with the knowledge that can keep you safe and quell your fears.
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