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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

IAmNotAWitch · 08/07/2017 07:42

Snakes are not an everyday occurrence.

I am currently curled up on my lounge with a cup of tea watching trashy TV with the cat. Not a snake in sight.

Having said that we do back on to a national park so there ARE snakes out there.

They don't bother me and I don't bother them and we are both quite happy.

I do check any shoes left outside for spiders before putting them on though.

nornironrock · 08/07/2017 07:49

Spent a month there - didn't see anything that worried me at all. Just go!!!!

Oh, a word of caution though - the place is literally crawling with Aussies.

(Sorry couldn't resist!)

PoochSmooch · 08/07/2017 07:55

That's interesting about how rarely aussies see snakes - it must be reassuring you to hear how rare it is?

In contrast, I live in France and I've seen two snakes this week. I bet you wouldn't think twice about going to France, would you?

Just go! Worry about the jetlag and the exchange rate but don't worry about beasties.

NewYearNewLife53 · 08/07/2017 07:57

Have lived in Melbourne - never saw a snake. The flies in Melbourne are likely to bug you more (see what I did there...)

ginnystonic · 08/07/2017 07:59

As a tourist visiting the country in holiday, you won't see any snakes.

Really you won't

londonrach · 08/07/2017 08:07

Uncle lives in sydney and unlikely re snakes although he has had the odd one or two in his garden in 30 years. Spiders...now thats a totally different answer.

WeyHay · 08/07/2017 08:11

Oh FFS OP YABU completely. And as for flying all that way just to see the "street" in Meighbours ... you do know it's not real and it's a and they're bad-- actors, don't you?

I lived in the bush in Australia for a time - nearest neighbour a mile away. I saw maybe one or two snakes over those years and they slithered away before I got near them. Unless you're intending to go tramping through the bush and picking up logs (hint: kick them first) you won't see a snake. Particularly if you stick to your very boring travel plans of exploring Melbourne suburbia.

Hulababy · 08/07/2017 08:27

I can understand that. It's the spider issue for me. I just don't think I would enjoy the worry of it.

Mind several years back I went to Kenya and on safari there and didn't see a single one the whole fortnight. Didn't see any in the Caribbean either despite being told they have plenty.

sashh · 08/07/2017 08:31

You know we have snakes in the UK don't you? You r chances of seeing them i Oz are about the same as seeing one here.

Go, enjoy your trip. Watch out for drop bears though.

Biscuitrules · 08/07/2017 08:31

You should not put off your trip because of this - there are two simple solutions. First, stick mainly to the cities where you are unlikely to see a snake at any time of year, and secondly if you want to be double-sure visit during the Australian winter (our summer) when snakes, being cold-blooded, are dormant beneath the ground.

You are unlikely to see snakes in the cities at any time. I am a bit surprised by how few snakes other posters have seen in the rural areas. My DH's folks live on a farm and if we visit them in their summer, we will see around 2 snakes during a 3 week trip, usually sunning themselves on rocks. I have also seen several snakes out whilst out hiking - around 1 snake per 2 day hiking trip. However, I have ONLY ever seen snakes in the summer, NEVER in the winter.

The Australian winter is still quite pleasant for us Brits. In Victoria it can get below freezing overnight but temperatures in the daytime tend to be very pleasant and they don't get really gray overcast days for days on end like you do here, it still tends to be bright blue cloudless skies and sunny. You wouldn't be able to swim though at the beach, but if you go in winter you will be able to visit some bush areas as well which is well worth doing to get a full sense of Australia.

kreme · 08/07/2017 08:36

In 17 years living in Australia I have seen zero snakes, one dead Redback and one Funnel Web.

You are unlikely to come across any venomous animal on your visit, even if you go rural, and the chances of one coming near you is so close to zero it's not worth your energy thinking about.

2014newme · 08/07/2017 08:37

Go to Mauritius they have no snakes.

Screwinthetuna · 08/07/2017 08:39

Well all this thread has done is made me want to live in Australia. I thought that was the one downside!

MermaidsTears · 08/07/2017 08:42

I spent a month in aus travelling around and even went outback etc. I literally never saw a snake.
Only once at a zoo!

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 08/07/2017 08:47

Just want to echo what everyone else has said. You will be fine!

I did go to see the Neighbours street but only because our family lived really close. I was a huge fan and was pretty excited but there wasn't really much to do but take a few photos. If you're staying in Melbourne it's way out of the centre.

Dawnedlightly · 08/07/2017 08:48

I'm completely phobic to the point of bursting into tears if I see one on TV. Moved there and was literally sleepless for 2 nights. I did see several but because I was hyper vigilant (could have been a tracker 😂) out on bush walks. In the city, at home, on the beach, nada. Don't tell any Aussies about your fears- they love Pom baiting and you'll hear loads of made up stories about toddlers catching brown snakes.
Off to google drop bears now!

LumpySpaceCow · 08/07/2017 08:54

I wanted to go to Australia when I was younger but had a major spider phobia - to the point if anyone talked about a spider I would have a panic attack, jumped out of a moving car because of one and had to ritually check my bedroom every night before sleeping in search of spiders as I was so scared of one crawling on me at night!
I went to GP and he referred me for CBT. It really helped and although now I don't like them, I am not scared and can even get rid of them under a glass! Maybe CBT worth a go?

Original poster

user1457213512 · 08/07/2017 08:54

Thanks everyone. Feeling a lot more reassured about the snake thing now although must admit to feeling slightly more scared about the spiders! But like people have said, I can't let fears ruin my fun and stop me doing things I want to do. Must be brave.

And to the poster re Ramsay Street, I didn't say I wanted to go to Australia just to see where Neoghbours is set lol. Actually I have a friend whose been there and she said the street is pretty disappointing, but can't help that it's just one of those things I want to see :)

OP posts:

Flumplet · 08/07/2017 09:05

I went to Australia and didn't see any snakes in Sydney or Cairns and I spent a lot of time in the rainforest. You need to go! Don't waste opportunities because of your phobia!!

TheFlis12345 · 08/07/2017 09:13

I have seen way more snakes and big spiders on trips to Cornwall than I have in my numerous visits to Oz.

Fluffyears · 08/07/2017 09:16

I have never really fancied Australia I don't know why. I totally get your fear though even the thought of snakes makes me feel and I can't even look st pictures or see them on tv I have to turn away. The Indiana jones film with all the snakes is like a horror film to me. All these posters though are right they try to stay away from people so in cities you would be ok.

Cocklodger · 08/07/2017 09:22

If you saw a snake outside of a pet shop or similar in one of the cities you mention I'd eat my hat. You'll be fine.

Gladys123 · 08/07/2017 09:23

See this is why I'd never go to Australia, all the bloody spiders. Shudder.

Cocklodger · 08/07/2017 09:24

Screwinthetuna there's good and bad but wildlife only factors in my "good" books as I've never seen any nasties like snakes etc.
my brother in law (separated from h but close to the family still) has been here 22yrs in Brisbane and has never seen a snake so I'd say it's rare enough to not be an issue

AceholeRimmer · 08/07/2017 09:28

My friend lived in Oz for years and never saw one, then found a grass snake on his wheelie bin in Lincolnshire last week

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