Australia Travel Safety

Precautions

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. Avoid hitchhiking. Attacks on backpackers have occurred. Ensure that your personal belongings are secure, particularly in crowded places. Robberies of safe-deposit facilities are common at inexpensive hotels and hostels.

Road safety

Public transportation is safe and reliable. Exercise caution when driving in rural areas, particularly in the Northern Territory and at night, due to roaming animals, excessive speeding and "road trains" (trucks pulling two or more trailers). Pull over and allow oncoming road trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped. Plan your over-land route carefully due to the great distances between settlements and the isolation of many outback areas. Provide a friend or relative with your itinerary, and ensure that your vehicle is in good repair. Carry sufficient supplies of gasoline, water and food, as well as a cellular telephone, and, when travelling into remote areas, bring a satellite phone or an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Hiking

If you intend on hiking, backpacking or skiing:never practice these activities alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company. Buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation. Obtain detailed information on hiking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes. Ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity. Ensure that you are properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard. Inform a family member or friend of your itinerary. Know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal.

Swimming

Riptides in coastal areas, including at popular tourist destinations, can be strong. Several drownings occur each year. In certain areas, sharks, crocodiles, jellyfish and other wildlife pose a risk to swimmers. Swim at supervised beaches only, obey the lifeguards, heed flag warnings and never swim when a red flag is displayed.

Women's safety

Australia is generally safe and friendly country, women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise common precautions throughout your travel.

Crime

Violent crime is low, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs in larger cities. Vehicle break-ins are common. Exercise caution in the more popular tourist areas, where thieves target foreigners, including Melbourne's St. Kilda, Sydney's Kings Cross, downtown George Street, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, The Rocks, Hyde Park and Centennial Park, and Queensland's Cairns and the Gold Coast.

LGBT

Australia is recognised as one of the most LGBT-accepting countries in the world with widespread popular support for same-sex marriage. With its long history of LGBT activism and annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival, Sydney has been named one of the most gay-friendly cities in Australia, and the world as a whole. Australia has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, but there are still isolated incidents of homophobic crimes. Take care when visiting rural communities. The Visit Gay Australia website is a useful travel planning resource and you can find more detail on LGBT issues on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Illegal or restricted activities

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines. The Australian authorities will take action against anyone who imports or is found to be trafficking illegal drugs.

Driving

Traffic drives on the left. Local authorities will only accept your overseas driving licence if the names on your licence match exactly those in your passport. You must apply for a local licence if you intend to stay in Australia longer than three months and you hold a permanent visa. Consult Australia's Driving with an overseas licence to determine requirements for driving in Australia. Permits are required when travelling on Aboriginal territory. Drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving by holders of a provisional driver's licence. Seat belt use is mandatory. Motorcyclists and cyclists must wear a helmet. The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless the phone is fitted with a hands-free device.