Garie Beach

Are there many spiders/snakes in Australian cities?

Sounds like a stupid question, but I have relatives there and I REALLY want to go but I'm completely terrified of snakes and spiders and generally anything like that...are there many in the cities/beaches?

Public Comments

1. There are a few, you're not likely to encounter any dangerous ones in the more populated areas though.
2. I live in Sydney & there has been a lot of snake sightings in the suburbs this summer, several in my area. Spiders are everywhere in every country.If you have relatives living here they will tell you the do's & don'ts. If you are from America, you have just as many dangerous snakes & spiders as we do. Caution in everything I say.Never heard of a snake at the beach, lol, it's the sharks & crocs you have to watch there, depending on what area you are in. Crocs are only seen on the far north coastal areas of QLD, NT & WA.
3. Not so many that you need to worry about them.
4. No.. the only spiders you see are harmless ones you just squash them or ignore them. Don't see snakes near the city.
5. Yep, spiders wait on the side of buildings till you walk past and then they jump on your head and eat your brain. Watch out for the snakes too, they hide in the sand on the beach and slither out when you least expect it. They're gunna get ya !!
6. In general, it is relatively uncommon for snakes to be in city areas (although, they are likely to live in backyards under garden rubbish/junk as are spiders). Spiders are everywhere, but many are harmless (like the good old huntsman- he looks scarier than he really is because it can grow quite large). The most venomous spider you will encounter would be the Funnel Web which is mainly found in NSW- it is quite dangerous and may hide in such places. And the Redback spider is another to beware of (although it is far worse if it bites a baby/toddler or small child than an adult). As for beaches- there may be snakes in the dunes or nearby bushland, but I've never actually seen a snake near a beach. Don't worry, as a tourist, you will probably not encounter any of these unless you visit a zoo that keeps snakes (so you'll be completely safe!!). There are sea snakes, if you go scuba diving or snorkelling, but generally they don't pose much of a risk, however if you are bitten, the treatment is the same as for a regular land-snake. Also, depending on the time of year you intend to visit, and the area/state, there will be variations. Snakes are far less active in Winter (June-August), and cooler months. However, it can be warm by Mid-August, September in some states (I'm in Queensland, so I'm drawing on the climate and my experiences) and snakes may be out as soon as it is warm. There are non-venomous snakes too such as Carpet Python (which has a distinctive diamond pattern and wide head). Ignore some of the other answers that attempt to scare you...like the one that says the spiders will eat your brain...I'd like to see said spider get through the skull-bones first... Best wishes, and I hope you decide to visit Australia!
7. I am in my late 30's and grew up on farm. I pretty much spent my childhood playing in paddocks and the bush (forest) and I can say I have never seen a snake in the wild! I know live in a coastal suburb of perth and I still haven't seen one! BUT my Mother In Law who lives just two streets away from us (it's ok, she is the very best MIL!) has seen a few in her yard over the last few years. Spiders are everywhere, but they won't attack you, so just don't touch them, and check your shoes before putting them on if you leve them outside for a few days. In the northern part of Australia, we do have sea snakes. And as long as you don't go hiking through the sand dunes at the bech, you will be safe on the beach. Seriously though, you probably have more chance of being hit by a car crossing the road than having one of these creatures bite you!! Did you know that more people die from bee stings than shark attacks each year?? Come and visit! Don't be frightened. Australia is wonderful and if it was that dangerous, we wouldn't be here!!