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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Australia - not going bc snakes

68 replies

user1457213512 · 08/07/2017 06:28

It's my dream to go to Australia, Melbourne and Sydney in particular (and the street that Neighbours is set on), but the thing is I'm terrified of snakes. Actually hate them, and spiders too really but not as much as snakes.

Aibu not to go because of my fear? Has anybody been who can advise me just how likely I would be to come across poisonous snakes, spiders etc. I wouldn't be planning to go trekking in jungles etc but just wondering how much a part of life they really are. Sound silly, but I have a somewhat irrational fear (even at home) of coming across a snake in the top corner of a wardrobe etc.

OP posts:
PeachesandPie · 08/07/2017 06:34

I have a phobia of snakes (can't look at pictures, irrationally check every inch of my house before night to make sure none are there). I went to Australia a few years ago and had the same fear. I spent 2 weeks in Perth and the only snakes I came across were in a zoo! I got the impression that they're not really a part of city life. You can't let this fear stop you from going on a dream holiday. And if you are unlucky and see one then you will deal with it! I've freaked myself out writing the S word too many times!

Verity23 · 08/07/2017 06:35

You are very, very unlikely to see a snake in the streets of Sydney and Melbourne. I live in a rural part of Australia and still don't see them very often. You could also travel when it's winter here if that would ease your mind.

SuperBeagle · 08/07/2017 06:37

You're not going to see a snake in Melbourne or Sydney...

I live in a remote part of NSW and I rarely see them, even in the blazing heat of summer. Also, have never been bitten by a spider, snake, never even be stung by a bee. We have a lot of dangerous animals, but you're extremely unlikely to encounter them, especially if only visiting short-term.

beingsunny · 08/07/2017 06:38

I'm confident in saying no snakes in sydney or Melbourne, they don't live in cities

HPandBaconSandwiches · 08/07/2017 06:41

Seriously Op, you shouldn't let this stop you! I live in Queensland, which is far more snake friendly than Sydney or Melbourne. In the last 6 months I haven't seen a single snake.
Before I moved out I kind of thought all these dreadful creatures would be lurking waiting to pounce Blush but in reality of course they run away from humans as fast as possible.
Spiders you have to be a bit more careful with, but if you get your house sprayed every 6 months that keeps all the beasties at bay.
I'd strongly suggest you look at some sort of therapy for your phobia (hypnotherapy can be very good) to stop it limiting your life choices.
Millions of people live in Aus, we wouldn't if it was that terrifying!

I have today though been to our local island, seen humpback whales, dolphins, eagles and a koala. There are advantages to a bit more wildlife! Grin

Notanotheruser111 · 08/07/2017 06:42

very unlikely

Longdistance · 08/07/2017 06:44

I lived in Perth WA, and the only snake I saw was in a pet shop.

Branleuse · 08/07/2017 06:47

what about the drop bears?

GraceGrape · 08/07/2017 06:47

I was scared about this too when I went but there wasn't a sniff of either (and we were staying on campsites, way out of the cities). We couldn't even find one when we went on a guided nature walk in a national park and the guide was specifically searching for one to show us!

Nakedavenger74 · 08/07/2017 06:49

Lived in Sydney for a year. Did a lot of hiking in remote mountain trails out in NSW and wandering through the bush pretty much every weekend.

Never saw a single snake

mrbob · 08/07/2017 06:57

Live in Australia and have done for 6 years. Have seen 1 snake while bush walking. I hate them too so I am not exaggerating if I say your chances are fairly tiny and almost non existent if you are in cities :) Awesome country so don't miss out on it just because of that (also an emergency doctor and VERY rarely see snake bite patients so don't worry!)

JungleInTheRumble · 08/07/2017 07:03

I've been on quite a few holidays to rural Australia and never seen a snake. I'd love to see one so I always look out for them but nothing so unless you're really really -un-lucky I think you're unlikely to see one.

Skittlesandbeer · 08/07/2017 07:04

Think of it this way perhaps: there are plenty of people in Oz who have spider and snake phobias. They are not braver than you, they are the same. Somehow they manage to avoid those triggers enough to live normal lives!

(By the way, I hope you get to see some of the other great things in Melbourne, not sure Ramsey St is the absolute pinnacle of excitement?!)

Grimbles · 08/07/2017 07:10

I was in qld for a year and never saw a single snake. Saw other things but not a snake Grin

TheClaws · 08/07/2017 07:11

In cities, esp. in the cooler months, you're very unlikely to encounter snakes. They're actually quite shy and don't like busy, noisy places. They do like beaches and the environment around there, but again, they are shy and tend to stay away from populous areas. I have encountered a few but I do live rurally, and have a pond and chickens - they like the easy water access and the cool areas under the chicken shed (let alone the bush mice that come for the chook feed).

As for spiders, they are about, but I've never been bitten. Just don't do anything silly, like: put your hand under your chair seat without looking first, or walk on grass/bushwalk without shoes, or stick your arm in dark places (like holes in the ground).

DownUdderer · 08/07/2017 07:13

On a day to day basis you'll never see a snake in Sydney! I've lived here as an ex pat for 8 years in a Sydney suburb and I've never seen a snake here :)

I wish my friend would visit me here but she's too scared at the thought of the spiders, I've only seen a handful of scary spiders in all this time, so I'm sure if she visited for two weeks she wouldn't see anything shocking! And I'd be at hand in case there was a spider, I'd get rid of it quickly.

TheClaws · 08/07/2017 07:14

I grew up in Melbourne, Skittles, and never went to Ramsay St - I knew where it was filmed, and it wasn't that far from me, but it just didn't occur to me Smile

goldopals · 08/07/2017 07:15

You have to be more worried about the drop bears. I'm Australian and have never seen a wild snake in either Adelaide or very very rural South Australia

echt · 08/07/2017 07:16

I live in Melbourne, and saw a snake today. Wrapped round a kid's neck in Bunnings, next to the facepainting stall.

The last one I saw was on a bush walk nearly ten years ago. They are about, but avoid crowded areas.

user1471432735 · 08/07/2017 07:17

I live in Melbourne and I've never ever seen a snake here. I've been to Sydney dozens of times and never come acrosss a snake outside a zoo.

In fact, in 30+ years of living in urban Australia, I've only come across 1 snake outside captivity and that was in the Daintree.

You will be fine! But please plan on doing more in Melbourne than the Neighbours tour, it's literally a random suburban street miles away from the CBD. Lots of other lovely things to do!

anotherprosecco · 08/07/2017 07:24

Lived in Darwin (Northern Territory) for over 2 years, only ever saw a snake in the wild life park, very definitely not a part of every day life.

SwearySwearyQuiteContrary · 08/07/2017 07:30

In 12 years I've not seen one outside of a reptile exhibit. They try very hard not to encounter humans! If you're in an urban area it is extremely unlikely that you'd see a snake.

KoalaDownUnder · 08/07/2017 07:37

Your chances of encountering a snake in Sydney or Melbourne are basically nil.

I hate snakes and I've come across exactly 3 in 35 years. And they were all on farms. If I thought there was the remotest chance of one being in my yard in Perth, I'd be out of here like a shot! Grin

Come on down, you'll be fine. Promise.

FiveShelties · 08/07/2017 07:39

Live in NZ and often go to Oz, never seen a snake in the wild. Don't let this phobia put you off visiting - Melborne is just wonderful, the food markets, the restaurants, theatres etc - amazing place.

I grew up in UK and spent many years there and have seen an adder, which is really unusual.

TheSlowLoris · 08/07/2017 07:39

I never saw a snake when I was in Australia, saw a few spiders but not many.