Australia's Most Snake-Prone Camping Regions Revealed: How to Snake-Proof Your Campsite
For most Australians heading off on a camping trip, the biggest worries are usually the heat, the flies, and whether there's enough ice left in the esky. Our latest data suggests there's something else worth planning for this camping season: venomous snakes. We weighed local campsite numbers against annual venomous snake sightings across 531 camping regions nationwide, using records from the Atlas of Living Australia mapped on a 25km grid. New South Wales came out on top by a wide margin, claiming eight of the twenty riskiest camping regions in the country, including the single most dangerous campsite in Australia.
Australia's Riskiest Camping Regions for Snake Encounters
Australia's high snake-risk campsites
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Tamworth has been revealed as Australia's most snake-prone camping region. Source: OCAM 4x4 Accessories study of venomous snake records, Atlas of Living Australia.
Why More Campers Are Snake-Proofing Their Setup
"We're seeing more customers ask about snake-proofing their setup before a trip, particularly those heading out to regional NSW and remote camping spots," said OCAM 4x4 Accessories director Peter Gorgievski.
"That's picked up over the past year or so, as more Australians get back into remote touring and off-grid camping," he says.
How to Snake-Proof Your Campsite This Season
OCAM 4x4 Accessories lists three tips that Australians can use to keep their camp safe this summer:
Keep Gear and Food Sealed and Off the Ground
Snakes will use whatever shelter is available, so loose shoes, tents, firewood and food scraps left out overnight are exactly what draws them in. A set of 4WD drawers or a canopy keeps your gear sealed up and off the dirt, while a proper fridge/freezer keeps food secure day and night rather than sitting out and attracting rodents.
Get Your Bed Off the Ground
If you're camping anywhere on our list, getting your sleeping setup out of snake territory entirely is one of the simplest fixes going. A rooftop tent puts you well above ground level for the night, away from where snakes are moving around after dark.
Light Up Your Campsite and Stay in Contact
Most encounters happen when a snake is surprised, or someone doesn't see where they're stepping in the dark, so a good set of camping or 4x4 driving lights makes a real difference after sunset. And if your next trip is heading somewhere remote — the Red Centre, the Southern Downs, or anywhere off the beaten track — a UHF CB radio or a ZOLEO satellite communicator means you're never out of contact if something does go wrong.
Gear Up for a Safer Camping Season
Whether you're heading to Tamworth, the Southern Downs or off-grid somewhere further afield, the right setup makes all the difference to staying safe after dark. At OCAM 4x4 Accessories, we stock canopies, 4WD drawers, fridge/freezers, rooftop tents, driving lights, side awning tents and UHF radios, properly engineered and tested for your exact vehicle so you're set up for whatever the campsite throws at you.
Browse our range today and get camp-ready for your next adventure.
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