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

Yellow warning signs across Australia show which animals 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. Take extra care because of their size. A collision with a camel can be catastrophic.
• Cattle — on open-range roads in QLD, NT and WA, cattle roam unfenced. They're 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); many roads are unfenced, and Tourism NT recommends driving in daylight
• 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

Dawn, dusk and night are higher-risk times for wildlife collisions. Animals are harder to see, and many are more active. Separately, some rental companies have restrictions on night driving on open country roads, so check your rental agreement. If you must drive at these times:

• Use high beam when it's safe and legal — it helps you spot animals earlier. Dip to low beam for vehicles coming towards you and for vehicles you're following. In NSW, for example, you must not use high beam within 200 metres of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle ahead of you. Check the rules in each state or territory you drive in.
• Scan ahead — look for eye shine (reflective eyes) on the roadside, particularly in areas with warning signs.
• Reduce speed — driving more slowly shortens your stopping distance and gives you more time to react.
• Brake firmly, don't 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. The living area may be damaged in ways you can't see from the driver's seat.
• Report all incidents — even if damage seems minor, report it to the rental company's on-road assistance 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
• Don't 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. If anyone is injured, call 000.
2. Keep your distance from the animal — don't try to handle, move or treat an injured animal yourself. Frightened kangaroos, wombats, koalas, raptors, snakes and goannas can cause serious injuries.
3. Call wildlife rescue — contact the local wildlife rescue service (see below), tell them exactly where you are and follow their instructions. Don't handle the animal or check its pouch for a joey unless the rescuer asks you to and it's safe.
4. Move deceased animals off the road only if you can do so safely, without stepping into traffic.
5. Report vehicle damage — call the rental company's on-road assistance team. You'll find the contact number on your key tag or pick-up documents.

Wildlife rescue contacts

Phone numbers and hours can change. If a number doesn't connect, or you're outside the regions listed, check the WIRES national wildlife contacts.

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

Next steps

• Road restrictions: rental rules on driving at night
• Accidents: reporting damage to the rental company
• Safety tips for campervan travel: more safe-driving advice

Part of During Your Trip in the Campervan Hire Handbook.