Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > Feburary 2004

Quick tips to save your life

AUSTRALIA is a great country for virtually any type of holiday - but few first-time visitors understand or realise that it's not your average European country - there are hidden and unexpected pitfalls and dangers in many situations.
Several tourists die every year - mainly because they have not taken simple precautions, or not listened to local people.
So here's a few tips that could save your life, and the lives of people travelling with you. They may sound obvious but the dangers are personal, real and ever-present.
Don't try to pat crocodiles (leave that to The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, at right). If you want to see crocs go to his Australia Zoo, at Beerwah, around 70 minutes drive north of Brisbane, an excellent full day's entertainment.
Don't swim where there are signs saying "No Swimming." Crocs can swim faster than you, can see underwater, don't make a sound in the water - and are not fussy who they eat.
Don't jump into any water - it may have strong undercurrents or submerged obstacles - fallen trees etc. Wade in first - or check with the locals.
Don't swim outside the lifesaver flags on the beach. There could be strong rips (undercurrents) and you could be swept out to sea.
Don't surf on your own, or at dusk - always surf with the locals.
Australia's main beaches are shark-netted, but ... and the results are not pleasant.
Don't lay on the beach for hours on end (you can burn in 15 minutes in summer) and apply 30-plus sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming.
You can buy special sun-proof swim suits for children.
Don't, ever, drive off-road in the outback without checking with the local police station and telling them your route and expected arrival time at destination. If a rental car check if it has a GPS system and good maps.
Preferably go with at least one other vehicle. Mobile phones may not work in the outback.
Don't, ever, leave your car in the outback if it breaks down. A car is easier to see than a person from the air and your car provides shade.
Outback temperatures can easily pass 100 (38) degrees. Always take plenty of water/fuel.
Don't grab hold of bare metal with bare hands in the summer - skin does toast.
Don't go bush walking alone. Go with experienced people. Always wear a hat, sensible clothes and shoes and take plenty of water. Tell people which direction you are taking. You can get lost in the bush within 100 metres of a road/track.
Don't try to make friends with a snake. If bitten try to remember what the snake looked like, colours, markings, size. Don't walk more than necessary and put a tourniquet above the bite. Hospitals have vaccines for treating just about all types of bites. But you can still get pretty sick.
Don't put hands into rock crevices or pick up rocks with bare hands - kick them first, if possible - many small things carry a big bite.
Just take sensible precautions and you'll have a great holiday - and a safe one. And don't forget to take out insurance before leaving home.