Is It Safe To Go Camping In Australia?
If you are an adventurous type of person and looking for your next adventure, then you have probably considered travelling Australia as an option. This country is full of astonishing places and amazing wildlife, and camping is an unforgettable experience. However, is it safe to go camping in Australia, and should you even consider it in the first place?
Generally, camping in Australia is safe, however, you need to follow recommended guidelines in order to avoid unpleasant situations. That means that you will need to find the appropriate campsite, or free camping place; take the right camping gear, and to be sure not to become a theft victim.
If you are thinking of setting off on a camping adventure in Australia, you need to prepare yourself first. In this article, I have discussed the safety aspects of camping in this country, as well as what things you have to take into consideration before you go exploring the land down under. I have provided many tips and tricks that will keep you safe and make sure that your camping trip does not get spoiled.
Is Camping In Australia Safe?
If you love camping, Australia can offer you the best places for your passion. This country is known to have the most amazing sports in nature as well as astonishing wildlife you cannot see elsewhere. For the great adventurer, this is the place to be.
If you really want to experience Australia in its true light, it is better to do that by going on a camping trip. Most of the exceptional places are out in nature, and this is a way to enjoy this country without feeling like a regular tourist. By going camping you will blend in with the culture, so you will be able to see what Australia is all about.
However, because Australia is such a varied county, it is also a known fact that there you might encounter things you have never seen in your life. The feeling of the unknown can sometimes be scary and possibly dangerous. Therefore, you probably want to know whether or not it is safe to go camping in Australia.
Generally, camping in Australia is safe, and it is one of the most common and popular activities both for natives and tourists. There are numerous campsites where you can reserve your spot, or you can decide to go free camping and wing it. Both of the options are great, and you will not regret whichever you choose.
Nonetheless, there are some things you should take into consideration when going camping in Australia in order to stay safe. Similarly to every place you go, you need to familiarize yourself with some basic rules. In addition, you need some camping tips that will make sure you are keeping yourself and others safe for where you are.
Before we move on to the safety tips, it is important to point out that the first thing you need to do is find the appropriate camping spot. Once you find your camping spot, you will be able to focus on the safety measures that need to be taken into consideration at that particular place. Since Australia has a lot of camping spots, you will find yourself with a lot of choices of where to go.
The spot you are going to choose also depends on the vehicle you are going to use. This is important because you might not always be able to park your car or van everywhere. Therefore, make sure that you take these things into consideration before you make your decision about your camping spot.
Once you’ve made your decision on where to go, there are a few things you need to think about in regard to safety. For instance, if you are camping near water, make sure that you do not place your tent or camper too close to the water surface. Rivers in Australia can rise quickly, even when it is raining upstream, and not where you are camping. You probably also know that Australia is popular for crocodiles, so you would definitely want to avoid a close encounter with this kind of animal while camping in the Northern part of the country.
Speaking of Australian wildlife, you should always make sure that you keep your tent closed and zipped. Since Australia has astonishing wildlife, with a lot of it dangerous, you do not want some of it found in your tent unexpectedly. Always make sure that you close up, even if you are out for a few moments.
In addition, you should know that as a camper from outside the area, you might be a potential target to thieves around camping sites. This means that you need to be careful with your possessions and your gear. Always keep things locked up or at the very least out of sight. Also, if you become a victim of robbery during camping, make sure that you report the incident to the police and check with your insurance company about the coverage they provide to you.
Tips To Stay Safe When Camping
To make things easier for you, I have made a list of safety tips that will help you enjoy your camping trip without any obstructions and unexpected situations. It’s fairly easy to be properly prepared, so you don’t end up with some unpleasant event that might spoil your whole adventure. So here are some guidelines that will help you stay safe during your camping trip.
Prepare Your Essentials
In order to be safe while camping, you need to make sure that everything that is considered essential works well and is taken with you. For instance, before you set off on your camping adventure, ensure that your vehicle is working properly. In addition, double-check whether you have taken all of the gear you need especially the stuff needed for sleeping and eating.
It is important that your tent or caravan and bedding are in a good condition. This means that you have to check whether the zipper on your tent works properly and whether there are some kinds of rips or wholes on your tent. If your tent or sleeping bag is damaged, you are running the risk of getting insects or other small animals through them.
As you already know, the wildlife in Australia is quite surprising, so expect the unexpected. To stay safe, you need to have your essentials in good shape, so you can use them properly. When it comes to wildlife, make sure that you take insect repellent with you since the bites can get quite nasty due to different kinds of insects that are not always present in other countries or the city.
Ensure You Have A Significant Amount Of Food And Water
It goes without saying that water is a must when going camping, but you need to make sure that you have enough for both drinking and washing. Some campsites have connected water mains, while most of them do not, therefore do not rely on this amenity. Also, water that is provided by a particular campsite is not always filtered or from a reliable source, meaning it is not always suitable for drinking.
When it comes to food, ensure that you pack enough food for all the days you intend to stay camping. Also, if you are bringing food that is prone to spoiling, especially at high temperatures, remember to bring a lot of ice with you or a portable fridge. In addition, pack your food appropriately in zip bags or similar containers that are capable of regulating temperatures.
Proper packing of food is also important because you do not want bugs or insects entering it. So, bear in mind all of these things when preparing food and water for your camping journey.
Bring A First Aid Kit
I believe that this is an obvious preventive measure, and it should be considered in every trip you take, not only camping. A first aid kit belongs to the group of essentials, especially if you are going to be camping in remote areas, as seeking help in an emergency might take some time. In addition to bringing a first aid kit, it would be smart to have someone in your group who has taken training in First Aid.
Also, make sure to bring your first aid kit with you whenever you go hiking during your camping trip. This is a wise move since you never know when an accident can happen, especially when you go to trails that are unfamiliar to you. It is also useful to ensure that you have a snake bite supplies included in your first aid kit.
Build A Campfire
A campfire is convenient for many reasons. Firstly, it will keep you warm during the night, and it contributes to a nice natural atmosphere. Secondly, it will keep wild animals away from you since they are generally scared of fire. In addition, fire helps in keeping the insects away from your campsite, so you will not be bothered by these annoying little creatures.
Also, a campfire is a great tool to roast some marshmallows. However, always be careful with the environment, and only create fires where it is allowed, and at the correct time of year (most places in Australia do not allow open fires in summer). Australia can be really strict with its campfire rules, and you might be subjected to fines if you’re caught having a fire when you are not allowed.
Do Not Set Up Your Camp Really Close To Water Surfaces
Australia has some absolutely beautiful rivers and lakes to set up camp. However they can also be unpredictable. Rivers can rise quickly, even when it is not raining exactly where you are, so it can be better to set up camp further back from the waters edge. And never set up camp in a dry riverbed. You don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night to find that the river is no longer dry.
Northern Australia is known to have an abundance of crocodiles in its waters, so placing your tents in close proximity to water is not a good idea. Make sure that you stay a least 50m away from water surfaces in order to avoid an unexpected encounter with these creatures. Seeing crocodiles close to you during your camping might sound exciting, but it will not be quite as fun to have them in front of your tent.
Do Not Place Your Tent Under Big Trees
If you plan to stay in a green area, it is obvious that you are going to be surrounded by many trees. However, you should make sure to place your tent somewhere where there would be no risk of a tree branch falling on top of your tent. You should know that this is a common occurrence in nature, especially with gum trees, and there are many accidents each year, some of which have ended up fatally.
That is why it is important to choose your spot wisely. It is understandable that you would want to set up your tent somewhere where it would look nice and cozy, but be aware of the risks that might be imposed by a particular area.
Share Your Camping Itinerary With Someone
When you plan to go to a remote place, make sure that you give your itinerary to someone you trust. It is wise that someone is aware of your whereabouts in case of accidents and unpleasant situations. There are a lot of cases in which people get lost due to many reasons, so make sure that someone knows your whole itinerary and they will be able to find where you should have been if something does happen.
Be Aware Of The Available Services
Before you set up your camp, especially if you decide to go free camping, make sure that you acknowledge which services are available in your proximity. For instance, do some quick research to know if there is a hospital close to you, and how to get to it in case of emergency. When there is an actual emergency, sometimes time can be everything, so asking for directions at that exact moment would be neither convenient nor wise.
When you arrive at your chosen spot, check whether there is a spot you can catch a signal to make calls. Usually, in remote areas you cannot get signal, but there are certain spots where you might be successful. Make sure that you find that spot in case you need to make an emergency call. If you are going very remote in your adventures, ensure you purchase or hire a satellite phone. It could mean the difference between life and death.
As you can see, camping in Australia is safe as long as you keep in mind all the precautions that should be considered. You can have an amazing camping adventure, but you need to make a wise and well-structured plan.
