Top 10 Australian Pests (And My Worst Encounters With Them)

Travelling downunder is an incredible adventure… but it’s not all surf and sunshine, or kangaroos and koalas.

You WILL share the sights with some of Australia’s widely known – and LESS popular – locals. I’m not talking about us Aussies, I’m talking about the non-human kind!

From mosquitoes to crocs, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with these critters. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 pests I’ve encountered on the road and how you can deal with them!

Check the list and leave any tips for avoiding these critters in the comments:

1) Mosquitoes – Victoria Park (NSW)

These bloodsuckers are everywhere in Australia, but I’ve never had a worse encounter with them than in Victoria Park, a small rainforest in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, near Ballina.

The photographic and birding attractions along the 400m boardwalk circuit usually take over 1 hour to do, but that time we probably set a new lap record!

There was almost like a cloud of mozzies all around us, threatening to carry us away. There was nothing left to do but run!

How to Keep Them at Bay: Long sleeves, pants, and a good slather of insect repellent with DEET are your best mates. If you’re camping, set up near a breeze or use a portable fan—mozzies hate wind.

I also swear by mosquito coils and citronella candles around the campsite. And don’t forget to check your van or tent for any gaps – mozzies will find their way in if you give them half a chance.

2) Sandflies – Kununurra (WA)

Kununurra has killer sunsets like these, so I’m prepared to overlook a few minor inconveniences. Even the brutal sandflies that call that place home.

They ‘ringbarked’ me around the waistband of my shorts the first time I shot the sunset. Of course, I was asking for it – I was wearing a loose T-shirt and NOT wearing any insect repellent.

How to Keep Them at Bay: Wear light, long clothing, and lather up with insect repellent. Avoid being out by the water during dawn and dusk – prime sandfly time.

If you do get bitten, a good antihistamine cream helps, but I’ve also found that a dab of tea tree oil works wonders for reducing the itch.

3) Flies – Kalbarri (WA)

On a fine day, the awesome view from the ever-so-scenic Kalbarri Skywalk shows the magnificent Murchison Gorge, in Western Australia’s Kalbarri National Park at its best.

The view DOESN’T show the gazillion flies that swarm around your face on every step.

Western Australia has the reputation of being the state equivalent of the Lord of the Flies… and I can vouch for that. Thankfully the ones in Kalbarri are bushflies – they don’t bite, they just annoy the crap out of you.

How to Keep Them at Bay: A good fly net is worth its weight in gold. I always have one in hand, more so if I’m exploring during summer. Also, setting up camp away from livestock and water sources can reduce the number of flies around.

4) Deadly Jellyfish – Cairns (QLD)

First-time visitors of Cairns, North Queensland, are often surprised to see emergency rations of vinegar at strategic intervals along the beach.

This is sooo convenient if you picked up an order of fish and chips to go, but forgot the vinegar.

But this is actually to treat the intense pain caused by the box jellyfish, aka the deadly Irukandji, which loves to swim in Cairns’ waters from November to May.

How to Keep Them at Bay: ALWAYS swim in netted areas during stinger season (November to May) or just go to the pool. Also, consider wearing a stinger suit – it might look a bit goofy, but it can literally be a lifesaver.

5) Moths – Canberra (ACT) OR Mount Bogong (VIC)

Regardless of where you are in Australia, if it’s nighttime and there’s an outside light, there’s going to be moths swarming around it.

But there are a couple of places for a REAL moth experience – and the mystery of the moth mass migration!

That’s at either the High Country around Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain in summer or when they move down the slopes in winter.

They’ve been known to invade Canberra, too – you’ve GOT to love a moth that has no fear of politicians!

How to Keep Them at Bay: The only real solution is keeping the lights off or using dim, red lights which aren’t as attractive to them. Also try setting up camp away from dense bushland, where moths are more prevalent.

6) Ticks – Toonumbar National Park (NSW)

This place is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the biggest area of subtropical rainforest in the WORLD.

It’s beautiful, mindblowing, and, well, rainy. One time we were there, it started raining after 1 hour into our visit. Not just a light shower either, but a heavy, drenching rain.

You’d think we were on full leech alert… and we were. We didn’t see any leeches, though.

But we had so. many. ticks. We’ve had tick PTSD ever since.

How to Keep Them at Bay: Always tuck your pants into your socks and wear long sleeves when hiking in bushland. Carry a flat-nose tweezer at all times – those are specific for tick removal! And after a day out, do a thorough tick check, they love to hide in warm, dark places.

7) Snakes – South Australia

Although Sydney might be the snake capital of Australia, most of the snakes there are not harmful. On the contrary, South Australia as a state has an alarmingly high concentration of venomous snakes.

So imagine the feeling of accomplishment I felt as an ophidiophobe myself (phobia of snakes), after taking this picture of a venomous red-bellied black snake:

Hopefully, that will be the closest I get to a snake ever again!

Thankfully snake bites are quite rare in Australia. These critters prefer to run from danger instead of attacking.

How to Keep Them at Bay: When walking through bushland or tall grass, always wear sturdy boots and long pants. Stick to clear paths, and make a bit of noise as you walk – snakes will usually get out of your way if they hear you coming.

If you do see one, stay calm and slowly back away. Never try to handle or provoke a snake – it’s just not worth the risk.

8) Mice – Yorke Peninsula (SA)

South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula isn’t the only place in Australia subject to mice plagues from time to time… But it’s arguably one of the most scenic!

Sadly, in SA, there’s a mouse plague every 4-6 years according to official sources. This can be a massive problem after low rainfall, as these critters will reproduce quicker, plus there will be fewer predators to keep them at bay.

They can also have a big impact on farmers, as they consume the crops and can bite stock, causing injuries and spreading diseases.

How to Keep Them at Bay: Keep your campsite and van clean. Store food in airtight containers, and set up traps around your site. It’s a good idea to seal small gaps in the van with steel wool – mice can’t chew through them.

If you’re staying somewhere with a known mouse problem, elevate your food storage to make it harder for them to access.

9) Ants – Endeavour Falls (QLD)

Ants might seem like a minor nuisance, but they can cause serious damage if you’re not careful. I learnt this the hard way, after staying at a little campground just north of Cooktown.

Ants chomped all over the power cord that stretched across the ground, from the camper trailer to the power box.

Our stay there wasn’t marred by this event, though… We didn’t actually know this happened until we packed up to leave!

Such good luck that we stayed there for 4 nights… Any longer and the ants would have exposed the wires. It won’t stop us from staying there again, but next time we’ll suspend the cord above the ground!

How to Keep Them at Bay: To prevent this from happening, just keep the cord above the ground! And of course, keeping your camp area clean and food sealed will help discourage them from getting anywhere near your stuff.

10) Crocodiles – Cahill’s Crossing, Kakadu (NT)

In all fairness, crocodiles aren’t pests. They are just existing and we’re just in the way.

That said, Cahill’s has the reputation of being Australia’s most dangerous crossing, as it’s infested with crocodiles. This rep is 100% deserved.

It doesn’t help that it’s also a great spot for fishing barramundi. Tragically, there’s no effective crocodile repellent and no known “antidote” for a crocodile attack.

How to Keep Them at Bay: ALWAYS respect crocodile warning signs and never take risks near water. Always be crocwise and never wade or swim in areas where crocs are known to live. Locals will tell you the best swimming spots and which areas to avoid.

The bottom line

Australian pests are just part of the adventure when exploring this wild land.

These critters come with the territory. Stay alert, respect the wildlife, and prepare before your trip to keep them at bay! They’re part of what makes this country so unique.