Staying Healthy on Your Tour of the Australian Outback

If you are heading to Australia for your vacation, then you really want to make sure that you have some time to do a tour of the outback. This vast expanse of wilderness is truly stunning and will leave you with plenty of photo opportunities. Something else that you will have to do if you do go on one of these tours is to make sure that you stay fit and healthy so that you can enjoy it. The wilderness can be harsh and as well as the conditions, you also have animals and insects to watch out for. Make sure you go with an organized tour, so you have a guide who can steer you in the right direction. There are a lot of tour companies offering similar tour packages through the Australian wilderness, and there is a lot to see and do when you go on one of these organized tours. Kimberley (a region in the northern part of Western Australia) tours are definitely something worthwhile doing and will give you a lot of fond memories.

The Animals and Insects

Going on a tour of the outback with an experienced guide will help you deal with all of the hazards in the form of the local wildlife.

• Snakes
• Spiders
• Biting Insects
• Crocodiles
• Wild Dogs

There are quite a few animals and insects in the Australian outback which can either be dangerous or extremely irritating. Snakes are a very big fear in Australia, but the world’s most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan, has never killed anyone officially on record. It is good to be wary of snakes, and if you use your common sense, generally there will be no problem. Snakes are just as afraid of us and will usually strike when they feel threatened. Spiders are a lot smaller than snakes, so less noticeable, so you do need to be extra vigilant for them. One of the most deadly spiders though is the Funnel Web Spider, which lives in the Sydney region and is not prevalent to the outback. You do need to be careful when approaching water as Australia has some very large and aggressive crocodiles. Your guide should be able to take you to watering holes which are safe from Crocs, just make sure you get them to test the water first! There are other large animals such as wild dogs and kangaroos, but these will usually run away from you as they are fearful of man. Whenever there is an animal or insect around, just follow the advice of your guide, and you should be fine.

The Sun

The sun can be very hot in the Australian outback, especially if you are not used to the heat. You will need to make sure that you bring some appropriate clothing with you as well as a good sun hat. Remember that it does get a lot cooler at night, so you may also need some warmer clothes for the evenings. In general though, you will need to make sure that you use plenty of sunblock to keep the harmful rays of the sun off your exposed skin. Along with this you will also need to make sure that you drink plenty of fluids during the hot temperature of the day. It may be a case of you needing to take salt tablets as well due to the amount you sweat. It is a good idea to bring these with you just in case. As long as you make sure you have plenty of water and sunblock, as well as suitable clothing, you will be fine in this amazing scenery, just follow your guide’s advice.

Common Sense

It does seem that one of the biggest dangers in the Australian Outback is the lack of common sense shown by some people when they are there. You are there for the experience and to have a good time, but you do need to be aware of the dangers so that you do not jeopardize either yourself, or anyone else. Never go off wandering by yourself and always follow the guides given to you. Be careful of wild animals and also insects and do not go swimming in water unless you have been told it is safe. If you are drinking alcohol, make sure you do this in moderation and control your actions. Do remember though that if you are drinking then this will dehydrate you a lot, so you will need to make sure that you drink extra water the following day. As long as you are respectful of where you are and follow the instructions given to you, then you will have an awesome time in the outback which is a once in a lifetime experience.