Wildlife 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.

Some animals are most active at dawn and dusk. For this reason, some rental companies have restrictions on travelling at these times and at night when outside of towns. Check the rental agreement with your provider and plan your travel accordingly.

Animals You'll Encounter on the Road

Kangaroos and wallabies — the most common road hazard. Kangaroos can hop out from the roadside without warning. Collisions are extremely dangerous — a large kangaroo can weigh 90 kg and cause catastrophic damage to a car at highway speed.

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.

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. A collision with a camel can be catastrophic due to their size.

Wombats — dense, low-bodied animals found across VIC, NSW, TAS and SA. A wombat collision can cause serious undercarriage damage. Most active at night.

Deer — feral deer are an increasing hazard in VIC, NSW and TAS, particularly on rural highways at dawn and dusk.

Cattle — on open-range roads in QLD, NT and WA, cattle roam unfenced and 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. 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 at speed to avoid an animal causes far more serious accidents than the collision itself.
• Be aware that animals travel in groups — if one kangaroo crosses the road, expect more to follow.

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 rental supplier's on-road care team. The contact number will be on your key tag or pick-up documents. Report all animal strikes to the supplier, even if damage seems minor — unreported damage may affect your insurance cover.

Wildlife Rescue Contacts

Planning a similar trip in a campervan? See our campervan wildlife guide for motorhome-specific advice.

Other Things to Consider

During Your Trip

• Australian Road Rules & Vehicle Requirements for Hire Cars
• Car Hire Safety Tips for Driving in Australia
• Driving with Wildlife on Australian Roads: Safety Guide
• Earning Reward Points on Car Hire Bookings
• Hire Car Breakdowns & Accidents: What to Do
• Hiring Electric Vehicles in Australia: What to Know
• On-Airport vs Off-Airport Car Hire: Pros & Cons
• Parking a Hire Car in Australia: Rules, Fees & Tips
• Petrol & Refuelling Policies for Car Hire in Australia
• Taking Hire Cars on Ferries in Australia
• Toll Roads in Australia: Charges & Hire Car E-Tags

When Hiring a Car

• Before You Book
• Booking a Car
• During Your Trip
• Managing Your booking
• Picking Up Your Car
• Post Rental Support and Services
• Returning Your Car