Is it actually that dangerous?

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Vivaecia

I have lived in 3 different cities in Australia (Perth, Brisbane and Darwin) and have never had a problem. The only time you see anything dangerous is in the bush/Outback and if you leave it alone then they leave you alone. In built up city and suburban areas, the wildlife is not a problem

Im 32, I've seen 1 snake in real life, not in a zoo (on Rottnest Island) and the whole time I lived in Darwin the only time I ever saw a crocodile was at the zoo. They sign post rivers and lakes where crocs live & are sighted so you know to stay away.

It's safe down here!

tamara m

alligators? crocodiles yes, alligators no.
we tend to overexaggerate the dangers to try and prevent foreign tourists from doing excessively stupid things and it works to a certain extent- we still get the occassional imbecile who insists on feeding the animals or swimming in shark or crocodile infested waters.
Suburbia is pretty safe just assume that all spiders and snakes are poisonous, and unless its a domestic animal you are familiar with in your homeland do not try to pat anything cute and cuddly looking- I've seen the wounds a kangaroo leaves and they are not pretty!
It is also illegal to kill any snakes so if you do encounter one call animal control to send someone out to remove it.

wilo_chick

I see your just another silly person thats watched too much steve irwin.

Elizabeth

Over 20 million of us seem to be able to live here without daily attacks by crocodiles (we don't have alligators), snakes, spiders or scorpions.
There's more chance of being involved in a car accident.

Stop watching the wildlife shows they tend to give a false impression of life here. Life is good here and we live in one of the safest countries in the world.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy Australia if you visit us.

cc_of_0z

You have about as much chance of being killed by Australian wildlife as you would by a grizzly bears and wildcats in your own country. Yes we have the most deadly critters around, and you know what, I lived 15 years in the outback in areas much like those that Steve Irwin loved to showcase and didn't get bitten once. You need to get a little perspective here. Australia is about the size of the continental United States. Most of the animal nasties are specific to certain areas of the country. Even in those areas they are more scared of you than you are of them. The basic policy you should have when you visit is - if it moves, leave it the heck alone. Even Koalas can do a lot of damage in the wild. They are not the cute cuddly animals they are often depicted to be (the TV ones are usually sedated first).
Common sense will save you more often than not.

Mel

Think about it.. IF it were that dangerous, we wouldn't be here to answer that question, Australia would be inhabitable and we would all be dead.

It's no worse then the US and we don't even have alligators in Australia.

OzGirl

Hi,

I am living here with all those crocs and spiders, and in fact, i found a redback spider in my back yard only 2 days ago. Absolutely nothing to be scared of. Just don't touch them. They are not aggressive or jump on you. Read more here:

http://www.gondwananet.com/australia-facts-dangers-and-road-distances.html

iansand9876

No. This afternoon I only had to fight off one spider. A pretty good result, and an above average Saturday.

Olie B

just dont become a pearl diver.... I was one in the northern territory for a few years and inthe process, got stung by stone fish and sting ray, had an irrukanji (deadly jelly fish) sting, had a small saltwater croc take a little chunk out of my arm and had to force my way past many a tiger and bull shark.

Stick to the city and you will be fine. If you go bush, wear long pants and good boots, that will stop 95% of snake bites which is probably the most likely. And pay attention to the do not swim signs up north (both crocs and jellyfish - both kill).

She'll be right mate.

brushstrokes1313

No it is not that dangerous.Please don't be scared I have been living there for 7 and a half years in Melbourne and it was a very nice country. Australia is very pretty. There are also plenty of interesting places to explore in Australia. And it is very laid back in Australia. You will enjoy living there.

beth