Poisonous Spiders in Australia

But in fact, it is all a big exaggeration just because people like to make things sounding dangerous and interesting.

Firstly, Australian most venomous spiders are not even that common to come across.

Secondly, they are not aggressive unless harrassed.

Thirdly, there are less deaths than you think.

Australia does not deserve the reputation as the "country of poisonous spiders".


I too often read on the internet how people are seriously thinking of putting off their trips because they are scared of Australian spiders.

Believe me - your trip can go ahead!

There has been no spider deaths in Australia since 1981, since the last antivenoms became available.

And even before that, the deaths were not numerous, not enough to justify the reputation of Australia as the "country of poisonous spiders".

Let's start with the facts - which poisonous spiders do we have in Australia and on Cape York peninsula?

Redback spider on Badu Island

The most infamous Australian poisonous spider is Redback.

If you go asking around most people point out this spider. Locals like to tell you how dangerous it is, many Australians have done it so many times that over the years they have become to believe it themselves.
 
Now let's get the facts.

No deaths have been recorded since the introduction of antivenom in 1959.

During the whole Australian history, only 14 redback spider deaths have been recorded.

At the same time, it is believed that thousands of people are bitten every year. Only 20% of them ever need any treatment.  

Ok, the bite of this spider is known to be very painful and cause severe discomfort, fever, headache, sweating, vomiting and nausea, but it is still a big exaggeration to call this spider deadly, particularly now that we have the antivenom.
 
Redback is a very common spider in Australia, including Cape York, it lives in and around people's homes, and is easy to spot in gardens, sheds, on verandahs, in toilets etc.

If this spider was so deadly there would have been a lot more deaths even before the antivenom became available.


White Tailed Spider by Kaptain Kobold via Flickr.com
Another spider that has the reputation is white tailed spider.

Even overseas visitors have heard about it.

The reputation was given to this spider totally wrongly thanks to a study that was incorrectly done.

This spider has not killed anyone, and its bite hasn't usually even got the symptoms of a redback bite.

It normally only causes a red mark and local pain, that will go away by itself.


Sydney Funnel Web Spider. By Jurgen Otto via Flickr.com

Funnel Web Spider

Sydney Funnel Web Spider is Australia's most dangerous spider but again now that we have the antivenom it is no longer deadly.

It is not found in Cape York, here we have the Northern funnel web spider that is less dangerous.

And that's all about Australian poisonous spiders for your Cape York trip :-)

There are some non-venomous spiders in Australia that can give you a nastier bite than the venomous ones!

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

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