What to Do If You See a Snake While Bushwalking in Australia

Outdoorsia

Sep 13

3 min read

Sooner or later, every Australian bushwalker meets a snake. It's almost always a non-event - provided you do the right thing, which is mostly nothing. Here's what actually happens, and what to do if you see a snake while bushwalking.

Yellow warning sign reading WARNING SNAKES beside a coastal walking track in Australia.

Almost always a non-event.

Most Australian Snakes Want Nothing to Do With You

Snakes will normally move away from people quickly - you are not food, and you're too big to fight. Bites overwhelmingly happen when people interfere: trying to catch, kill, or crowd a snake.
Bushwalkers should expect to see a snake occasionally - thousands of bites occur Australia-wide each year, but deaths are rare, and walkers who keep their distance are rarely the victims.
Snakes are protected native animals everywhere in Australia - killing one is illegal as well as dangerous.

Stop, Back Away, Give It Space

Stop

Stop moving the moment you see it. Standing still is safe - snakes strike at threats, not statues.

Back away slowly

Watch what it's doing, then back away slowly the way you came. Give it space and time to leave.

Never crowd it

Don't move closer for a photo or a better look - a snake that feels trapped is the one that gets defensive.

If it won't move

Wait, detour widely if the ground allows, or turn back. No walk is worth it.

Kids or a dog with you

Call children and dogs to you calmly and hold them close before you all back away. The rules for walking with dogs are in Bushwalking With Dogs in Australia: Where You Can Go and the Rules.

Trailside sign with a snake symbol asking walkers to please stay on the path.

Footwear and Awareness: Reducing the Risk

Enclosed shoes or boots plus long pants (or gaiters) is the simple insurance policy. Most bites are to the lower limbs. Footwear is covered in Do You Really Need Hiking Boots? Boots vs Sneakers for Bushwalking.
Watch where you put your feet and hands - stepping over logs, collecting firewood, and reaching into scrub are the classic moments.
Stay on the track. Long grass and off-track scrub is where surprises live.
Never walk barefoot around campsites or anywhere you can't see the ground clearly.

Where and When Snakes Are Most Active

Warm, sunny days

Spring, summer and autumn - spring especially, when snakes emerge hungry and looking for mates.

Near water

Creeks, rivers and swamps mean food, and it's where walkers and campsites are too.

Early morning

Prime basking time - be most alert on sunlit track edges and rock slabs.

Cold weather

Winter walks come with far fewer encounters - but never zero.

If Someone Is Bitten: What Happens Next

Every suspected snake bite is a medical emergency, even if the person feels fine - stop, keep them completely still, call Triple Zero (000), and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake - treatment does not depend on knowing the species. Only take a photo if it's completely safe, and never move closer to get one.
The full step-by-step is in Snake Bite First Aid: How to Apply the Pressure Immobilisation Technique. Read it before you need it. You can also download the Snake Bite Emergencies card from our Resources page.

Snake bite emergency steps: stop and keep them completely still, call Triple Zero, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, keep them still and watched. Never wash the bite, cut or suck the wound, apply a tourniquet, chase the snake, or let them walk.

Link to downloadable resource: Snake Bite Emergencies

You'll find the emergency steps and bandage technique illustrated. Download or print the PDF with full details and keep it in your kit. The phone download version is a quick overview reminder list.

Source: snake behaviour and encounter guidance from the Bushwalking Manual - Snakes, published by Bushwalking Victoria with the support of the Victorian Government.