Travel Information

Health & Safety

Our diverse natural beauty, exciting cities and warm, friendly people make Australia the place to enjoy the perfect vacation.

Whether enjoying our fabulous restaurants, shopping and nightlife, the splendour of our bushland, or simply enjoying the sand between your toes on one of our many long, white beaches, there are some simple safety tips that you should follow to ensure your visit to Australia is as enjoyable as possible.

While Australia is a friendly and safe place to travel, you should still take responsibility for your personal safety. Be conscious of people in your immediate surroundings and keep your belongings secure at all times. In an emergency, telephone 000.

When Driving you are required to understand the rules of the road.
A bona-fide tourist may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers licence for the same class of vehicle. Licences must be carried when driving, in addition to a valid passport. If it is not in English, carry an International Permit or an official translation of that licence.

Driving Laws 
- All vehicles travel on the left side of the road.

Do not travel faster than the signed maximum speed limit. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is between 40 - 60 kilometres per hour and on country roads and highways, 100 - 110 kilometres per hour, unless signs indicate otherwise.

When planning each day of travel spend some time to calculate how long it will take to drive between destinations. Be realistic about how far you can drive in a day. Share the driving with your companions and stop for a rest at least every two hours.

In country areas road conditions can vary from bitumen surfaces to gravel and dirt. Be careful of potholes, soft road edges, narrow bridges and dusty roads. Be careful of crossing over a road covered in water, cross slowly only if the road surface is firm and stay in the middle of the road.

Australian wildlife and livestock often graze on the roadside and can stray onto the road. Be very careful when driving at sunrise, sunset and at night, when kangaroos and other animals are most active. If an animal crosses in front of you reduce speed safely - do not swerve wildly to avoid it.

Drinking & Driving-  
It is recommended to avoid drinking alcohol before driving. Australia has strict laws on drinking & driving and police actively enforce them. You must not drive if your blood alcohol level is 0.05% or higher. Two or three standard drinks in one hour could put you over the limit.

Seat Belts & Mobile Phones 
- All occupants of a vehicle must wear seatbelts at all times. Do not use a hand-held mobile telephone when driving. Always use a hands free kit, as it is against the law to hold a mobile phone when driving.

Don't forget! 
Always carry a current road map.

When you leave you vehicle unattended, make sure it is locked and parked safely. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave property in the vehicle, keep it out of sight.

When crossing the road look in both directions - look right first, then left, then right again. Where available, use designated pedestrian crossings.

For further information, visit the Queensland Department of Main Roads 

When exploring Nature be prepared if you plan to spend some time in the outdoors walking or hiking.

Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Let them know when you return safely.
Check the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected changes in weather.

Check the length and degree of difficulty of your planned walk. Consider using a local guide when taking long or difficult walks.

Drink plenty of water (in warm weather allow at least one litre of water per hour of walking).

Wear sturdy shoes and socks, a hat, sunscreen lotion, comfortable clothing and insect repellent. Other handy items for long bushwalks include food, warm clothing, first aid supplies, a torch and a map.

Read maps and signs carefully, stay on the track, stay behind safety barriers and stay away from cliff edges.

Do not feed or play with native animals. You might get bitten or scratched.

Visit the ranger station or park information centre to obtain details on the best places to visit and any additional safety information for that park.

Limit your use of fire. Use a fuel stove for cooking (outside of tents). Never leave fires unattended or unconfined. Be aware of fire bans or restrictions in place.

Cigarette butts cause bushfires. Do not drop them or throw them out of your car. Evacuate the area immediately if you see a bush fire.

Avoid serious burns by always extinguishing campfires with water, not dirt or sand.

The Outback is vast and requires special driving skills and awareness of different conditions.

Our remote wilderness areas have few towns and facilities, often with large distances between them, so be aware and plan your trip.

Inform family and friends or the local police of your travel plans. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order and has been serviced recently. Always carry a spare tyre, tools and water. If travelling to remote areas off major highways take extra food, water, fuel and tyres.

Trip Planning 
Road conditions can vary from a sealed surface to gravel and dirt. Use a four-wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads in remote areas. Roads can be narrow with unstable edges. Be very careful of holes, soft road edges, narrow bridges, changing surfaces and dusty roads. Always check on local road conditions before leaving major roads. Turn your vehicle's headlights on low beam during the day so vehicles can see you. Drive slowly on unsealed roads and take extra care - loose surfaces are unpredictable. If you drive off the side of the road, do not overcorrect but slow down and return to the road when the vehicle is travelling at a safe speed. Obey road closure signs.

Flooded Roads 
You may come across water on the road. Roads may be covered in water, which appears shallow, but can have a current strong enough to sweep your vehicle away. Wait until the water level drops or use an alternative route.

Road Trains 
Huge trucks, known as road trains, can be the length of 10 cars. It can take up to 2.5 kilometres to overtake a road train at 100km/h. Also allow plenty of room before you overtake as they may sway from side to side as you overtake. Be prepared for the 'windrush' when passing as it can pull you towards the road train. When being overtaken by a road train, maintain your speed and don't move off the road. Only slow once the road train moves out to pass.

Animals 
Watch out for animals on the road such as, kangaroos and emus. Livestock also graze on the side of unfenced roads. The most active time for many animals is sunrise and sunset. If an animal crosses in front of you, reduce speed safely, do not swerve as you may roll your vehicle.

If your vehicle breaks down 
Don't leave your vehicle because it will provide you with shade and protection from the heat. Wait for help to come to you. Consider hiring appropriate emergency communication equipment, such as a satellite phone and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) device.

While in the Water, At the beach always swim between the red and yellow flags during patrolled times not outside them. The flags mark the safest place to swim and the area where lifesavers and lifeguards patrol. Blue flags indicate where surfing is allowed.

Many surf beaches in Australia have strong currents, called rips. These are powerful currents of water that can drag you out to sea. If you find yourself being caught in a rip, do not panic. Stay calm, float with the current and raise your hand, swim parallel to the shore. Do not try to swim against the rip, as you will simply get tired and lose strength.

If you are unsure of the beach surf conditions check with a lifesaver.

Read and obey warning signs on beaches, beach access points and at waterways.

Always swim with others. Children should always be accompanied in the water by an adult who can swim.

Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in darkness.

Never jump or dive into shallow water, a rockpool, creek, lake or river due to immersed rocks and logs.

Know your health limitations when considering diving, snorkelling, swimming (or other active pursuits).

Follow these safe swimming practices: 
Surf Life Saving Queensland's 'FLAGS' motto can save your life:

F - Find the flags and swim between them. Always swim between the red and yellow flags — not outside them. The flags mark the safest place to swim and the area where lifesavers and lifeguards patrol.
L - Look at the safety signs. Read these carefully and if unsure, ask a lifesaver what they represent.
A - Ask a lifesaver for some good advice. Surf conditions can change. Talk to a lifesaver before entering the water.
G - Get a friend to swim with you. Always swim with a friend.
S - Stick-up raise) your hand for help. If you get into trouble raise your arm to signal for help, stay calm, float and wait for assistance.

Marine Life 
Queensland, like any coastal destination, has marine life that can pose threats to humans when proper precautions are not observed. While these creatures do not pose a major threat, it is important to be aware of their potential danger. We've listed the creatures below, not to alarm you, but rather to point out some significant facts.

Sharks 
While shark attacks are rare, the following precautions help reduce the risk of dangerous incidents:

Always swim at between the flags at patrolled beaches.

Do not swim alone or at night.

Avoid swimming in canals or near the mouth of a river.

Stingers (Jellyfish) 
Stingers live in tropical waters all over the world and can be found in Queensland anywhere north of Agnes Water. Queensland has two jellyfish species that have been classified as dangerous: the Chironex Box Jellyfish and the Irukandji. Please visit Marine Stingers for more information.

"Stinger Season" is generally from early November to early June

For your safety, always swim between the red and yellow flags at beaches patrolled by lifeguards or swim in enclosures (where and when available)

If you swim in unprotected waters, wear a "stinger suit" or stockings to protect exposed skin.

If you are stung, wash the affected area with household vinegar as soon as possible and seek medical attention.

Crocodiles 
There are both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles in Tropical North Queensland. They can be found around rivers, freshwater lagoons and coastal beaches.

When fishing, avoid standing at the water's edge or on logs or branches that hang over deep water.

When camping near lakes, rivers and beaches, camp about two metres from the high water mark and at least 50 metres from the edge of the water. Crocodiles are most active at night.

Read and obey warning signs, they are there for a reason.

Boating Safety 
If you are the holder of a boating licence, a skipper’s blood alcohol content cannot exceed 0.05%.

When hiring watercraft ensure that the operator has provided you with all the necessary boating and safety equipment and local hints needed for the areas you are visiting.

Weather forecasts should be obtained when planning any trip on the water, no matter how short. Weather forecast telephone numbers include:

All of Queensland - 1300 360 426
Marine warnings - 1300 360 427
South East Queensland - 1300 360 428

Snorkelling or SCUBA Diving Safety 
You must have completed a training course to go SCUBA diving. However, to enjoy snorkelling, a competent swimmer can usually master this quickly.

When diving or snorkelling remember to:

Never go diving or snorkelling alone
Always let someone know where you’re going and what time you will return
Advise the dive company of ANY medical condition or medicine you are currently taking.

Sun & Clothing protection The Australian sun is extremely strong, especially between 10am and 3pm.

It is recommended to wear a broad-brimmed hat and a shirt with collar and sleeves, apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (or higher) sunscreen and wear sunglasses.

Avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm (including cloudy days) and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Clothing 
Ensure you wear appropriate footwear such as sturdy boots and socks in outback and rainforest areas. Reefwalking also requires sturdy footwear.

Warm clothing is necessary in some hinterland and outback regions, as temperatures drop to below 0ºC at night (winter months June - August).

Contacting Emergency Services 
For URGENT HELP from any Queensland Emergency Service - ambulance, fire brigade or police - dial 000 (triple zero).

Only dial 000 for an emergency that is life threatening or to report a serious offence in progress.

Calling 000 connects you to an operator who will ask you which emergency service you need, and from where you are calling. After answering these simple questions you immediately will be connected to the emergency service you require.