Travellers are urged to be snake aware. PIC: Storme22k / Pixabay
Research carried out by off-roading specialists, OCAM 4X4 Accessories has revealed Australia’s Riskiest camping regions for venomous snake encounters.
The company weighed local campsite numbers against annual venomous snake sightings across 531 camping regions nationwide, using records from the Atlas of Living Australia.
New South Wales came out on top by a wide margin, claiming eight of the 20 riskiest camping regions in the country, including the single most dangerous campsite in Australia.
Tamworth topped the list with 438 venomous snake sightings reported across the area’s seven campgrounds. The most common species sighted there were brown snakes, red-bellied black snakes, and black snakes.
Source: OCAM 4×4 Accessories study of venomous snake records, Atlas of Living Australia.
“We’re seeing more customers ask about snake-proofing their setup before a trip, particularly those heading out to regional NSW and remote camping spots,” said OCAM 4×4 Accessories director, Peter Gorgievski. “That’s picked up over the past year or so, as more Australians get back into remote touring and off-grid camping.”
OCAM 4×4 Accessories lists three tips that Australians can use to keep their camp safe this summer:
Keep Gear and Food Sealed and Off the Ground: It says snakes will use whatever shelter is available, so loose shoes, tents, firewood and food scraps left out overnight are exactly what draws them in. It says a set of 4WD drawers or a canopy keeps gear sealed up and off the dirt, while a proper fridge/freezer keeps food secure day and night rather than sitting out and attracting rodents.
Get Your Bed Off the Ground:Â The company says getting your sleeping setup out of snake territory entirely is one of the simplest fixes going.
Light Up Your Campsite and Stay in Contact: The company says most encounters happen when a snake is surprised, or someone doesn’t see where they’re stepping in the dark, so a good set of camping or 4X4 driving lights makes a real difference. And, it says, for anyone heading off the beaten track, a UHF radio or satellite communicator means you’re never out of contact if something does go wrong.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
Big 4 at Umina Beach has lots brown snakes. I had one baby one touch my heel. I nearly had a heartattack!
I would really like to know where the 22 camp sites are in the Wentworth Falls Area. Wentworth in the Riverina maybe?
Frazier Island not unusual to see 3a day
We were camped in a bush camp on the outskirts of Broome, and had a close encounter with a Western Tipan. Just stepping out of van in the dark, and very close to stepping on it. We warned nearby campers of the danger. We do Carry an EPIRB and Starlink for phone calls.
This is not ‘research’. It’s a very loose survey. Most people seeing these snakes can’t identify them accurately, let alone confirm whether they’re dangerously venomous or not.