What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting your country?
One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Australia is thinking they’ll be attacked by deadly wildlife the moment they arrive.
People seem genuinely convinced we’re dodging snakes, spiders, sharks and crocodiles every time we leave the house.
Yesterday a taxi driver was asking me loads of questions about Australian wildlife, especially spiders. I asked him if he’d ever go skydiving. He said the only time he’d jump out of a plane was if it was full of huntsman spiders — and he wouldn’t even care about a parachute.
He was completely serious.
Then I made it worse by confirming that yes, huntsman spiders really can be as big as your hand. Possibly bigger. He looked genuinely horrified.
But that’s the funny thing about Australia’s reputation. People hear “deadly animals” and imagine snakes under every chair, sharks waiting at every beach, and giant spiders checking into the hotel room beside them.
Yes, Australia has dangerous wildlife. No, you are probably not going to be attacked while sightseeing in Sydney, having brunch, walking around the harbour, or staying in a normal hotel.
Australia is not a horror movie with better weather.
The biggest mistake is letting fear of the wildlife stop you from visiting one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Just don’t put your hand somewhere you can’t see, don’t annoy anything with more legs than you, and maybe don’t ask an Australian too many spider questions unless you want the honest answer.
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