Wildlife on the Road

Australia has many unique animals, and staying in a campervan puts you in closer contact with wildlife than a hotel holiday would. For campervan travellers there are some important things to know about what to expect — and how to stay safe.

Animals You'll Encounter on the Road

Throughout Australia there are yellow warning signs indicating specific animals that may cross the road. Always watch for wildlife while driving, but be especially alert where these signs are posted.

• Kangaroos and wallabies — the most common road hazard. Kangaroos can hop out from the roadside without warning. Collisions are extremely dangerous, particularly for campervans where windscreen and cab damage can be severe.
• Wombats — dense, low-bodied animals found across VIC, NSW, TAS and SA. A wombat collision can cause serious undercarriage and suspension damage. Most active at night.
• Emus — larger than you might think, standing up to 2 metres tall. Found in all states except Tasmania. Especially common in WA and the NT.
• Deer — feral deer are an increasing hazard in VIC, NSW and TAS, particularly on rural highways at dawn and dusk.
• Wild horses (brumbies) — prevalent in rural areas. Slow down and pass only when safe to do so.
• Feral camels — most common in the outback, usually travelling in herds. Extra caution needed due to their size — a collision with a camel can be catastrophic.
• Cattle — on open-range roads in QLD, NT and WA, cattle roam unfenced. They are particularly hard to see at night.

High-Risk Regions

Animal collision risk varies significantly across Australia. The highest-risk areas include:

• NSW — western plains around Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange; Pacific Highway between Coffs Harbour and Grafton
• Victoria — Hume Freeway near Heathcote; Great Ocean Road hinterland; Gippsland (wombats and deer)
• Western Australia — wheat belt region east of Perth; Great Eastern Highway; roads around Kalgoorlie
• South Australia — Port Augusta and surrounding highways; Adelaide Hills (deer); Coorong area (wombats)
• Northern Territory — Stuart Highway (cattle, camels, kangaroos); dusk-to-dawn driving restrictions apply on many NT highways
• Tasmania — virtually all rural roads (wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils); Tasmania has one of the highest wildlife collision rates per capita in Australia
• Queensland — outback highways west of Longreach; Cape York access roads

Driving at Dawn, Dusk and Night

Most wildlife collisions happen between 5 PM and 10 PM, and again around dawn. Most campervan suppliers have restrictions on night driving on open country roads — and for good reason. If you must drive during these hours:

• Use high beam whenever there's no oncoming traffic — it dramatically increases your ability to spot animals. Dip to low beam within 200 metres of oncoming vehicles.
• Scan ahead — look for eye shine (reflective eyes) on the roadside, particularly in areas with warning signs.
• Reduce speed — dropping from 110 km/h to 80 km/h roughly halves your stopping distance and gives you far more time to react.
• Brake firmly, do NOT swerve — if an animal appears in front of you, brake as hard as you safely can in a straight line. Swerving a campervan at speed can cause a rollover, which is far more dangerous than hitting the animal.
• Be aware that animals travel in groups — if one kangaroo crosses the road, expect more to follow.

Campervan-Specific Advice

Campervans and motorhomes are heavier and taller than cars, which changes the dynamics of an animal collision:

• Don't swerve — this is critical in a campervan. The high centre of gravity means swerving at highway speed can cause a rollover. Brake firmly in a straight line.
• Windscreen damage — a large kangaroo strike can shatter the windscreen and penetrate the cab. Keep a safe following distance from vehicles ahead that might disturb roadside animals.
• Check for structural damage — after any animal strike, check the cab, bumper, radiator, and underneath the vehicle. Campervans have living quarters that may sustain damage not visible from the driver's seat.
• Report all incidents — even if damage seems minor, report it to your supplier's on-road care team immediately. Unreported damage may void your insurance cover.

Wildlife at Campsites

Staying in a campervan puts you in closer contact with wildlife than a hotel. Snakes, frogs and spiders are commonly found at campsites and caravan parks:

• Check toilet and shower stalls before entering
• Shake out shoes if they've been left outside
• Avoid walking through thick vegetation — watch where you step
• Don't leave food or rubbish outside the campervan overnight
• Do not feed wildlife — it's harmful to the animals and can attract aggressive species

If You Hit an Animal

1. Your safety first — pull over only when it's safe to do so. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Check the animal — if safe, check on the animal from a distance. Do not approach kangaroos, koalas, raptors, snakes or goannas — they can injure you when frightened.
3. Call wildlife rescue — contact the relevant state wildlife rescue service (see below). If the animal is a marsupial, check the pouch for joeys.
4. Move deceased animals off the road if safe, for the safety of other drivers.
5. Report vehicle damage — call your campervan supplier's on-road care team. The contact number will be on your key tag or pick-up documents.

Wildlife Rescue Contacts

Planning a similar trip in a rental car? See our car hire wildlife guide.

Other Things to Consider

During Your Trip

• Accidents
• Electrical Safety
• Ferries
• Heating and Cooling
• Overnight Parking
• Petrol
• Power Management
• Road Rules
• Safety Tips for Campervan Travel
• Tips for a Good Night's Sleep
• Toll Roads and Charges
• Travelling with Children
• Travelling with Pets
• Using Campervan Features
• Utility Failures
• Vehicle Breakdown
• Waste Management
• Water Management
• When Things Go Wrong
• Wildlife on the Road

When Hiring a Campervan

• Before You Book
• Booking a Campervan
• Brands
• During Your Trip
• Managing Your booking
• Picking Up Your Campervan
• Returning Your Campervan
• Self-Drive Itineraries