Health

• General info
• The Beach
• Rips
• Sharks
• Stingers
• Crocodiles
• Snakes
• Spiders
• The biggest danger

General info

Australian hygiene standards are high, as you would expect from a western country. The tap water is safe to drink, unless it's bore water, which is water taken from underground. In South Australia they use this so you should drink rain water or bottled water instead.

Enrol at a medicare office to get a medicare card if you are from the following countries; The UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Malta and Italy. Malta and Italy citizens are only covered for the first 6 months they are in the country whilst the rest are entitled to free nessecary treatment for the duration of their stay in Australia. Irish and New Zealanders are also entitled to free treatment but only as a patient of a public hospital. They will not get a medicare card, just bring along your passport to the hospital.

No immunisations are needed for Australia, but of course you may visit other countries on the way out or on the way back. Asian countrie can be a particular risk. Depending on where you want to go you make have to vaccinations against the likes of cholera, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever etc. You're looking at anything between €100 and €200 for the lot, depending on where you go.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and for good reason, it's very, very hot. Be sensible, don't do what every other visitor does and get absolutely scolded on your first day down at bondi. Wear 30+ sunscreen, a hat, light long sleeved shirt, and sunglasses at all times, even on cloudy days. Also drink lots of water. Dizziness and extreme tiredness is sure sign of dehydration and heat stroke. If you're thirsty, you're probably already dehydrated.

The Beach

The beach is where you will spend a lot of your time down unde. Whether swimming, surfing, snorkelling, diving or sailing, there is fun to be had. But be aware!! Many people meet their end in the sea in Australia and for a number of reasons.

Rips

Always swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the area that the lifeguards have deemed safe to swim, and is the area that they will be patrolling. If you choose to swim outside these flags you're on your own. The main reason they only have a certain area to swim in is because of rips. A rip is a strong current that will drag you out to sea. If caught in a rip it is very important not to swim against it. Concentrate on staying afloat and try to get the attention of someone on shore. The rip will eventually let go of you and you can swim back to shore, if you haven't already been rescued. If you fight it you will tire easier and most certainly drown. You will see that the area they have deemed safe has lots of waves and another area doesn't. Although it may look more inviting to swim, the reason it may not have waves it because that is where the water that crashes up against the shore is heading back out again, in other words, a rip. Australian beaches are notorious for rips, especially the most famous beach, Bondi. The south end of Bondi has a rip known as the Backpackers Express, for obvious reasons. This is one of the nicest areas of the beach but don't be tempted to swim here. Don't be one of the backpackers that's given that rip its' name.

Sharks

Due to a combination of factors, such as overfishing at sea, increased numbers of fish on the coast due to protected marine parks, warmer water and government protection of certain shark species, there has been an increase of sharks coming near bathers, some fatal, so beware when you are in the water. There are certain things to remember when swimming in Australian waters; Don't go out too deep, don't swim at dusk or dawn when sharks are most active, don't swim in areas that are known for shark attacks. There are shark nets in the sea around most popular beaches in Australia and in Sydney for example there has only been one death since 1937, when the sharks nets were constructed, before 1937 there was an average of one per year. It's worth noting however that half of the sharks that are caught in the nets are actually caught on the inside, on their way back out. The nets are a few metres from the top so boats and swimmers won't get caught in them, allowing sharks to swim over them. Don't worry too much though, it's mostly surfers, or shark biscuits that tend to get attacked.

Stingers

Beware of stingers such as Irukanji, or worse the box jellyfish, the most toxic animal on the planet, when swimming in the tropical waters of northern Australia. Their sting can be fatal.Stinger season is October to May. Anywhere north of Rockhampton in Queensland or north of Broome in Western Australia is a potential danger area. Cary white vinegar with you to pore on the wounds and wear a stinger suit.

Crocodiles

Watch out for saltwater crocodiles in Far North Queensland and the top end in the Northern Territory and WA. These guys can get incredibly big and can kill humans with ease and have been known to do so. Basic rules are don't camp near rivers that crocs frequent as they will come into your tent. Don't swim in rivers or lakes or even in the sea without finding out from the locals about crocs. They may be called saltwater or estuarine crocs but they can be found anywhere water is, especially after the wet season when the floods hav allowed them to roam all over.

There is so much fun to be had in Australian waters and despite what i've just listed it is quite safe as long as you pay heed to the warning sign. And remember you are no longer top of the food chain.

Snakes

Australia is home to the top 11 most deadly snakes in the world. Just think about that. You hear about the king cobra and black momba in Africa and the rattlesnake in North America, but they're not even in the top 11. That is frightening. The most venomous snake in the world is the inland taipan, but it has never killed anyone, on record anyways, due to its remote location in the outback and the fact that no-one out there is stupid enough to go near it.The chances of even spotting a snake in the wild in Australia is very slim, never mind getting bitten. If you do see one, leave it alone. There are more species of venomous snake in Australia than non venomous so the odds are against you.

When walking in the bush, or in long grass, wear boots, socks and trousers. If bitten, wrap the limb tightly, and attach a splint. Make sure the victim stays still because any movement will send venom through the bloodstream. Try to get a description of the snake without putting yourself in danger as this will help the doctors administer the correct antivenin.

Spiders

Australia is also home to the most venomous spider in the world, the deadly funnel-web spider, which is found in New South Wales. Sydney and the Blue Mountains are home to the most deadly varieties. There is also the redback spider (black with red stripe), which causes severe pain, but is generally not fatal and the white tip spider (thin black body and white tail), which can cause severe blistering of the skin.

The Biggest Danger

Australia certainly has more than its fair share of dangers, with venomous animals, dangerous seas, forest fires, and more, but the biggest threat to you when you're there as in any country is yourself and your fellow man or woman. Like every country Australia has a certain amount of murders, rapes and other violent crimes. So you must be careful, don't walk anywhere at night, especially women. Don't get too drunk or drugged up as you won't know what's going on. Drink spiking can be a problem here. Don't get into fights, you might think you can take care of yourself but you just don't know who you're messing with. As well as that the bouncers out here tend to be bigger than average, and unafraid to lash out. A huge amount of backpacker deaths can be attributed to drug or alcohol consumption, whether it's through drowning or falling from balconies or whatever.