Snakes, heat and safety: how to hike safely in Australia

Australia's wild places are beautiful, and with sensible preparation they're very safe. Most hiking incidents come from a handful of avoidable causes: heat, getting lost, falls, sudden weather changes and, rarely, wildlife. This guide covers the main risks Australian hikers face and how to manage them.

This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 000. If you have no mobile coverage, try 112 from a mobile phone, or activate a personal locator beacon (PLB).

Snakes

Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous snakes, including brown snakes, tiger snakes, taipans and black snakes. Bites are uncommon, deaths are rare, and most bites happen when people try to catch or kill a snake.

Avoiding snakes

• Stay on the track and watch where you step, especially in warmer months (spring to autumn).
• Wear sturdy footwear, long pants or gaiters in long grass or scrub.
• Don't put hands or feet where you can't see, such as into rock crevices, hollow logs or deep grass.
• If you see a snake, stop, keep still, then back away slowly. Give it room and it will usually move off.
• Never try to touch, catch or kill a snake. It's dangerous, and in most states it's also illegal.

First aid for a snake bite

Australian first aid guidance uses the pressure immobilisation technique.

1. Call 000 (or 112), or activate a PLB.
2. Keep the person still and calm. Movement spreads venom.
3. Apply a broad, firm elasticated (compression) bandage over the bite site, then bandage the entire limb from the fingers or toes upward, as firmly as you would for a sprain.
4. Splint the limb to keep it still.
5. Don't wash the bite, cut it, suck it or use a tourniquet. Hospitals may swab the bite to identify the venom.
6. Note the time of the bite, and keep the person lying still until help arrives.

Carry at least two wide compression bandages on every walk. Many have printed guides showing correct tension.

Heat

Heat is one of the most serious risks for hikers in Australia, particularly in central and northern Australia and on exposed tracks in summer.

Preventing heat illness

• Start at dawn and finish before the hottest part of the day.
• Check the forecast and fire danger rating. Don't hike on extreme heat days.
• Carry plenty of water. Plan on about 1 litre per hour of walking in heat, and use electrolytes.
• Wear light, loose, long-sleeved clothing and a broad-brimmed hat.
• Rest in the shade often.
• Know the closures. In central Australia, popular walks such as the Kings Canyon Rim Walk may close early on days forecast at 36°C or more.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Heavy sweating, pale skin, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps and weakness. Stop, move to shade, loosen clothing, sip water and cool the person with wet cloths.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency

Signs include confusion, slurred speech, hot dry skin (sweating may stop), collapse or seizures. Call 000 immediately and cool the person aggressively with water and shade while waiting for help.

Bushfires

• Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area before you go: Moderate, High, Extreme or Catastrophic.
• Don't walk in bushland on Extreme or Catastrophic days. Many parks close.
• Check state fire service apps and websites, plus the park's alerts page.
• If you see smoke or fire, leave the area by the safest route and call 000.

Weather changes and cold

Alpine and highland areas in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the ACT can turn from warm sunshine to sleet or snow within hours, in any season. Hypothermia can set in quickly when people are wet, windy and tired.

• Always carry a waterproof jacket and warm layers.
• Turn back if visibility drops on exposed ground.
• Watch for shivering, clumsiness, confusion and slurred speech, which are early hypothermia signs. Get the person out of the wind, into dry clothes and warm them gradually.

Water hazards

• Creek crossings: don't cross fast-flowing or flooded water. Wait or turn back.
• Rock platforms and coastal cliffs: keep away from edges and wave-washed rocks. Freak waves can strike without warning.
• Crocodiles: in northern Australia, assume any waterway may hold crocodiles unless signage says otherwise. Obey all warning signs.
• Tides: some coastal walks cross beaches or river mouths only at low tide.

Other wildlife

• Spiders: bites are rarely serious. Apply a cold pack, and use pressure immobilisation for funnel-web bites (NSW).
• Ticks: check yourself after walking in the bush along the east coast. Remove ticks carefully. Freezing them with an ether-containing spray is commonly recommended.
• Leeches: common in rainforest after rain. They're harmless, but repellent and long socks help.
• Dingoes on K'gari: walk in groups, keep children close and never feed dingoes.
• Magpies in spring: wear a hat and sunglasses, and move quickly through swooping areas.

Getting lost

• Know your route. Carry a map and offline maps.
• Note junctions and landmarks as you walk.
• If you're lost, stop. Stay calm, stay put, conserve water and make yourself visible. Searchers find stationary people faster.
• Carry a PLB. They're cheap insurance, and many national park offices and police stations lend them free.
• Leave a trip plan with someone you trust, including when to raise the alarm.

Falls and injuries

Slips, trips and falls cause the majority of hiking injuries.

• Wear footwear with good grip.
• Use trekking poles on steep descents.
• Take extra care on wet rocks, loose gravel and steps.
• Don't climb barriers or go off track for photos.

The safety checklist

☐ Check park alerts, weather and fire danger rating ☐ Leave a trip plan ☐ Carry water, food, map, first aid with compression bandages ☐ Carry a PLB on remote walks ☐ Dress for the conditions ☐ Know your turnaround time ☐ Stay on the track

With a little preparation, you can enjoy Australia's trails safely. Respect the conditions, know your limits and turn back when in doubt.

General information only, not medical advice. Complete a recognised first aid course for full training. In an emergency, call 000.