Considerations when traveling in Australia/New Zealand (snakes, jellyfish, spiders)?

K

Krav Dragon

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Sep 7, 2004
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I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand this fall/winter together with my girlfriend. This is our first major trip abroad, and my first trip to another continent. We are planning to stay almost three months doing all kinds of adventurous stuff, like scuba diving, rock climbing etc. A major portion will be spent in the outdoors hiking and camping. I am pretty confident when it comes to camping in Northern Europe, but I have only a vague idea what to expect in Australia/NZ. Since I’ve never been to Australia or NZ I would love to hear the input from some experienced people regarding all those things that might come as nasty surprises once there – poisonous plants, dangerous animals, parasites, critters of all sizes, creepy-crawlies on land and in the sea – this, and everything else along these lines worth mentioning.

By the way, what is the modern consensus regarding the treatment of snakebites (Noin outta tin o’ the wölds maust daaangerous snoiks live in Ostroilia… Come’ere little fella!) :D I heard that sucking out the venom does not work, what else can you do?

…and above all, what knife to bring…? ;) :D
 
Common Brown Snake, Funnel Web Spiders, Saltwater Crocs, Box Jellyfish, Great Whites on the barrier reef, Dingos.....I think Australia has plenty to offer in the way of adventure.

Oh yeah, some of the nicest blokes on the planet as well!
 
taipan, tiger snake, box jellyfish, stone fish, big shark just waiting for you to go swimming at bondi beach
come to australia you might accidentally get killed

just joking.

there is a lot of stuff that can kill you out here, however
if you use common sense then you shouldnt have a problem

the biggest things to look out for would be mosquitos and ticks
they itch like hell when you get bitten but they arent poisonous (at least here in Western Australia)

enjoy your trip to oz, you will love the place
 
I lived in Albany, Western Australia, for a year and loved it. Down in these southern regions it seems to be safer ..... more rain (=more water to drink) and very few poisonous jellyfish in the ocean. But you still have to be careful. Here are a few things that spring to mind:
-A very dry country, sometimes you need to take heaps of water with you.
-Snakes
-Crocodiles
-Poisonous spiders
-Nasty jellyfish
-Deadly small blue octopus
-Stonefish in the ocean shallows
I am not an expert on any of the above topics, I just know to be careful about them.

One thing we had on the tidal flats near our home were a type of sea catfish called cobbler. These made great eating and I would sometimes go and spear them at night while wading around in the water. But they have some nasty spines so you have to be careful when wading or when handling the fish. I used to wear a pair of synthetic sneakers to help avoid getting spiked.

I never went out in a boat while living there, but we ate fish often. I would either use a simple ringcaster handline from the shore, or go snorkelling with my spear. Beautiful clear water and quite a few fish. Oh yes... that reminds me ....add sharks to the list above. I have never seen a shark while diving in New Zealand, but I did see them in Aussie.

In New Zealand there are no snakes and no dangerous mammal predators. You can get hurt by a wild pig if you aren't careful while hunting. We have a couple of spiders reputed to be venomous - one is native and I think the other came from Aussie....but you don't hear much here about spider incidents. We do have a tree nettle which can be unpleasant or even reputedly fatal to some folks if you get enough contact...but generally the first bit of contact should teach you that it is a good thing to stay away from. I have had a lot of brief contacts with this nettle, and although the irritation lingered for a bit nothing drastic happened.

I would say that the biggest dangers here in NZ are:
-The danger of hypothermia in the wilderness
-Rugged terrain
-Strong ocean currents in some places (if diving)

NZ has its share of poisonous plants. If you like to snack on wild greens, then make sure you know what you are eating. We have hemlock here and this bears a resemblance to carrot tops for instance.

Enjoy your holiday.
 
Krav Dragon,

Is the trip in your fall/winter or Australia's?

I met a British RM Commando - he thought Australia was worse than Norway (in winter) to soldier in. The problem is the temperature varies more - from hot days to cold nights at some areas and the seasons.

Snake bite - keep your eyes open - look where you are walking and there is no problems. Always have a roller bandage when you are out bush. If you are stupid enough to manage to get your self bitten it will probably stuff your trip up but you shouldn't die. Don't spit/suck/wash the wound. A lot of the venom will stay around the wound and they can work out which snake has bitten you and give the correct antivenom as opposed to the general antivenom.

http://www.stjohn.org.au/quick_pdfs/snakebite.pdf

Sand flies (coastal areas) and mosquitoes are annoying but use the RID (insect repellant). Ticks have to be removed but don't panic for a few days if you wait to get a ambulance or a doctor. I have taken them out of myself, no worries but there is a bit of a trick to it.

Yes there is area where you should swim in the north because of box jellyfish and crocodiles but they are signposted (sometimes).

Use enough water if you are bushwalking. I have seen more problems with heat stress and heat exhaustion ( with the military) than any other problems in Australia.
http://www.stjohn.org.au/quick_pdfs/heat.pdf

A knife ............who knows? Just buy another one;)

Stewart
 
Hi,

As Coote has already suggested, there is little in the way of dangerous wildlife here in NZ. Environmental and terrain factors are more likely to cause difficulty than any animals.

Have a look at the pamphlets published by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for a bit of an overview... http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/resources/pamphlets.asp
regards
Sean
 
IMO there's really nothing to worry about that can't be avoided with common sense. Basic advice:

- Don't eat the plant life unless you're really sure you know what it is.
- Don't poke the wildlife even if they don't look dangerous (that includes checking your shoes before putting them on and not rummaging around with your bare hands/feet in the undergrowth).
- If it says no swimming due to rips, crocs or whatever, don't bloody go swimming.

That about covers it. There's a few (20ish) million of us live here and only a couple that die from the flora and fauna each year and most of those are tourists so they don't count :D

Enjoy your stay, you really will love it.
 
Those are some good points, guys. Thanks - it's much appreciated. Stewart, the trip is planned for this November-January – that’s my winter and your summer. Stewart, chomo, thanks for the links. Those are great. What is DRABC? :confused:

Stewart Townsend said:
A knife ............who knows? Just buy another one;)
Click to expand...


...and that is by far the best tip yet! :D Keep 'em coming...
 
Hey Krav,

Lived in Oz for several years. Fished, skiied, biked and camped wherever. I can tell you on land Oz is full of little tiny stuff that can kill ya. In the sea, well, world record sharks are caught there...

But really, all the time I've been outdoors I was never in danger, never saw any of the above. BUT I also took pains to prevent/avoid running into them.

I feel the 3 major dangers are:
- bugs - spiders: most are very small and some are deadly. You can find out which these are. But common sense will save you. Watch out before you put on shoes, sit on the toilet, brace with your hands, etc.
- crocs - up north crocs abound. This is a very serious animal which mostly you can only see 2 eyes when they are already too near. Then when they are farther away we think we can outrun them. Not true. Don't screw around swimming in brackish water in the outback or when warned.
- snakes - very numerous. Tasmania has them too and all there are poisonous. Normal precautions apply, but note one: BROWN snake. Very nondescript in appearance. Very deadly in toxin. Very very bad temper. If one slithers away from you, DO NOT throw something at it just for extras. They have been known to turn right around and come back at you when this happened.

Other than that, watch the 2 legged blokes around your girlfriend. These rugged handsome fellas are a real magnet to sheilas, especially the yanks. Heheh, just kidding. Something to blush up the blokes on this forum, eh mate?
 
Oops - forgot the snake bite thingy. Well, if you know which kind of toxin the snake produces, apply either suction or pressure bandage. Screw that up, and you loose tissue or die. IMHO the pump/suck kit (Sawyer) and pressure bandage should cover it. But like Stuart said, keep your eyes open.

And knives! Woohooo! Don't bring one. Get to Oz and say "oh no! forgotten mine. HAAVE to buy a new one!" You'll be spoilt for choice here. I always have my swisstool (or an SAK, before that came out). Never needed more. But you SHOULD have one - sometimes stores are few and far in between, you're on your own then.
 
keluangus - I would like to think that my girlfriend is immune to Australian charm... After all, she's half German! :D Besides, I am kinda rugged and handsome myself... :) ;)

keluangus said:
And knives! Woohooo! Don't bring one. Get to Oz and say "oh no! forgotten mine. HAAVE to buy a new one!"
Click to expand...

Maybe I should go with whatever the dude on the picture has...

Crocodile20Dundee202.jpg


Now THAT is a knife!! :D :D

Seriously though, where can I get one of those Sawyer pump/suck kits? Are they reuseable? BTW, thanks, this is exactly the kind of information I need!
 
Just on the topic of knives be warned that in some states (maybe many or most, I don't know all the laws) it's illegal to carry a knife/blade of any kind in a public area. Common sense should prevail and anything concealed should be fine but take note anyway. I still regularly carry a SAK, Gerber multitool or a 5" fixed blade if I'm out of the city.
 
dave alloway used a cold steel SRK on his survival trip in australia, he found it to be quite satisfactory, and noted that he did not need a larger blade.

alex
 
G'day Crav,

You'll be visiting in our summer which does cut your outdoors options down somewhat. For camping/climbing you had better stick to the southern half. Most of the good walks up north are basically impossible in the summer - and the alpine ones down south will be difficult. Here's my top habits for surviving our bush.

1) Water - 1 litre per hour plus 2. Recently we walked the Larapinta trail and when we overnighted in spots without water we set out with 12 litres each in our packs. Most europeans think that 3litres is a lot of water to carry - this is barely enough for a day walk in Oz.

2) Good 3 season tent - one that has a internal mesh dome is best - this can be your bug dome when camping in warm weather. It's also good security against all those creepy crawlies.

3) Gaiters - good protection against spinifex and snakebite in summer

4) Don't stick your hand anywhere dark. This is where the bities hang out.

5) Make noise when walking through scrub. If you are off trail then use your walking sticks to thrash the bush as you walk - this will scare off most snakes. But mate....don't go off the bloody trail!

6) Don't hang out by the waters edge up North - Crocs

7) Ask the locals if it's ok to swim. A woman killed last year by bull sharks was swimming in a place the locals avoid.

8) Ask the locals lots of other stuff too - Most locals are only too happy to steer you right..and will often show you a few choice spots. They hate having to rescue people who have avoided local advice.

Knife wise I don't reckon you need anything large unless you are hunting or practicing extreme survival stuff - A multi-tool and mid-sized folder does me for all my bush time. One of spyderco's H1 salt series would be just the ticket if you are hugging the coast, which you are probably going to have to do in summer (there is some great coastal cliff climbing in West Oz)

Have a good trip mate and don't hesitate to PM me if you need any help.
 
Krav Dragon said:
keluangus -
Maybe I should go with whatever the dude on the picture has...
Click to expand...

IF YOU MEANT THE BABE - YES!! I'D TAKE THAT AS A BACKUP! HAHAH!

The other poster is correct - the Oz rules are very strict about weaponry. Even slingshots are illegal! That's why I only used SAKs or multitools. Unless you are in deep Northern half of Australia - rules are more practical than political there (for example, there's no speed limit on NA highways!)

Forgot where I got the Sawyer kit - but you should be able to find/buy it on the internet and get it sent across to you. That's also an excuse to pick up a whole lotta other goodies..!

BTW, if you are in the southern mountains (Victoria, NSW, Tasmania) be aware that snowstorms CAN and DO occur even in summer. More so in Tassie than the other two. Even in summer I always bring a pair of synthetic thermals - very light and small but can save your trip.
 
Krav Dragon,

DRABC

http://www.stjohn.org.au/quick_pdfs/DRABC.pdf

November-December - Late Spring to Summer. No White Christmas this year for you.:)

Ming65 says

1) Water - 1 litre per hour plus 2. Recently we walked the Larapinta trail and when we overnighted in spots without water we set out with 12 litres each in our packs. Most europeans think that 3litres is a lot of water to carry - this is barely enough for a day walk in Oz.

What he just said!!!!!:thumbup: I suspect it will be hotter than you are used.

Sunburn could be a problem at first?

One thing I have been told by tourists is that Australia is bigger than they expected. As keluangus says can be cold Tasi and Vic in the mountains in summer. But I only use a light shirt in summer and usually shorts (I'm just north of Brisbane). It would depend on where you end up going.:confused:

I use a multitool and either a Delica or a Buck Lite (110?). Put them in your trousers pockets and you shouldn't have any problems. In Queensland is up to proving use - so I use them for fruit.;)

Have a good trip you can PM if you want to.

Stewart
 
My wife and I spent 3 months camping there in 01 (July, Aug, Sep), never had a problem other than fly's in the Northern part of WA.

We camped by rivers, roads and the sea.(Maybe I just smell like I would taste bad :) )
 
This thread is great! I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all of you who has answered. This kind of information will help me develop an awareness to things that otherwise might come as nasty surprises while I am "down under".

keluangus said:
IF YOU MEANT THE BABE - YES!! I'D TAKE THAT AS A BACKUP! HAHAH!
Click to expand...

Your regular EDC might object to that... ;) :D Those things tend to lose their temper when "backed up"... :D
 
I'm going to NZ in september... and what knife should I buy there (meaning something not available in the states...) you did tell him to "forget" his after all :D

thanks

Jack

and of course...what places should we eat and booze at? can't miss the basics... ;)
 
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