‘We were oh so relaxed … then the snake dropped in!’

Published: March 23, 2021
snakes surprise grey nomads

As the weather starts to cool in most parts of the country, many grey nomads will be looking at the silver lining … at least there’s less chance of running into a snake!

Of course, the presence of the slithering reptiles is just a fact of life of travelling in the bush. But it’s one thing half expecting to see a sunbaking serpent on a remote bushwalking trail and quite another having one unexpectedly drop in on you.

Grey nomad David Muirhead was free camping at Lake Arragan in the Yuraygir National Park just north of Brooms Head in NSW when a python emerged from a tree to poke its head into the camping area.

“I couldn’t believe it as it was only two metres away from my wife,” he said. “I told her to slowly get up and walk to where I was sitting, then she turned and looked … and nearly passed out!”

Earlier this year, another couple – Rachael Pace and boyfriend Kyle Vella – also got quite a snake shock. They were driving along near Stroud on the NSW mid north coast when a giant python suddenly appeared at the open driver’s window.

After hurriedly closing the window, Kyle pulled over and removed the snake.

Snakes are more active during the warmer weather but can be on the move at any time. The cold-blooded reptiles will inevitably have less periods of inactivity in the warmer north.

Australia has around 140 species of land snake, and 32 recorded species of sea snakes. Some 100 Australian snakes are venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you.

One of those is a tiger snake and, unlike most species, have been known to be actively aggressive.

“We had a tiger snake in Tasmania chase us along a dirt road back in 1992,” said grey nomad, Jonathan Westley. “They are fast … but it did give up after about 30 metres and headed off into the scrub!”

According to Reptile Rescue senior executive officer, Ian Norton, the best thing grey nomads can do out in the bush is to carry bandages, keep their eyes peeled, and to ‘give way’.

“Wear appropriate clothing when bush walking, keep your eyes around, don’t creep around on bush tracks, and make your presence known,” Mr Norton said. “If you do see something on the track, give it a wide berth!”

  • Have you ever had a scary snake encounter? Comment below.
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Housesitting at Gordonvale in 2014. Check the skimmer box on the pool every day. One day ,opened the lid and there was a snake curled up in the skimmer box. I dispatched it with long handled pruning shears and took a photo and looked in the snake book. didn’t have that type of snake where I come from here in Busselton.
Turned out to be a Black Soil Adder.
Same year but not a snake. Went over the Daintree and up to Cape Tribulation. Having lunch at a pretty spot and this bloody great bungarra type lizard jumped up on the table and started eating our sandwhiches.
We let it eat and just stood back.

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