Keeping Kids Safe On The Road & At Camp

Australia is a safe country to travel, but it’s also a country where the environment demands respect. The hazards your kids face on the Big Lap are different from the hazards at home: campfires instead of stovetops, rivers instead of swimming pools, snakes instead of traffic. Most risks are easily managed with awareness and simple precautions, but the key is knowing what to watch for in each environment. This guide covers the main safety considerations for travelling with kids, from campsite setup to remote area precautions.

Safety on the Big Lap isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness, preparation, and setting up camp with kids in mind.

Campsite Hazards

Campfires. The number one campsite hazard for children. Establish a fire safety zone from the first night: kids don’t go within a defined perimeter of the fire without an adult. Use rocks or chairs to create a visible boundary for younger children. Teach fire safety explicitly: no running near fires, no throwing anything into fires, no poking fires with sticks. Extinguish fires completely before bed and before leaving camp. Even “cold” campfire rings can retain heat in the ash.

Other vehicles. Caravan parks and bush camps have vehicles moving through them, often reversing large rigs with limited visibility. Kids on bikes, scooters, or running between sites are at risk. Establish rules about where kids can ride and play, and reinforce the rule that they must watch for vehicles at all times. At busy caravan parks, supervise younger kids near driveways and main roads within the park.

Guy ropes and pegs. Awning guy ropes are a tripping hazard, especially at dusk when they’re invisible. Use reflective guy ropes or attach small flags to them. Teach kids to watch for ropes at every campsite, not just yours. Tent pegs in bare feet are a consistent minor injury; shoes at camp after dark.

Gas and electrical connections. Caravan gas bottles, electrical leads, and connection points are accessible to small hands. Teach children not to touch them. Check that gas connections are secure and not leaking. Keep electrical leads away from walkways and play areas.

Water Safety

Australia’s waterways are beautiful and often hazardous. Rivers, creeks, lakes, beaches, and rock pools are the backdrop to countless Big Lap memories, but they demand vigilance.

Rivers and creeks. Current strength is often invisible from the bank. Depth can change rapidly. Submerged obstacles (rocks, branches, holes) are common. Never let kids swim unsupervised in unfamiliar waterways. Wade in first to check depth and current. Be aware that flash flooding can occur in outback areas after rain, even rain that fell hundreds of kilometres upstream.

Beaches. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. At unpatrolled beaches (which is most of them on the Big Lap), assess conditions carefully: rips, waves, drop-offs, and marine stingers in northern waters (October to May). Kids should wear stinger suits in tropical waters during season.

Crocodile territory. In the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, and the Kimberley, both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are present. Obey all warning signs. Do not swim in, wade in, or allow children near the water’s edge of any waterway in crocodile territory unless it is a designated, managed swimming area. This is not optional.

Wildlife & Environment

Snakes. Australia has some of the world’s most venomous snakes, and you’ll be camping in their habitat. The risk is low but real. Teach kids to watch where they step and put their hands, especially around rocks, logs, and long grass. Wear enclosed shoes when walking in bush. Don’t reach into hollow logs or under rocks. If you see a snake, stop, back away slowly, and give it space to move. Keep campsites clean (food scraps attract mice, which attract snakes).

Spiders. Shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on, especially items left outside overnight. Check under toilet seats, inside BBQ lids, and around firewood stacks. Most spider encounters are avoidable with the shake-and-check habit.

Marine life. Bluebottles on beaches (don’t pop them, rinse with sea water). Stonefish and cone shells in tropical shallows (wear reef shoes). Blue-ringed octopuses in rock pools (look but don’t touch, ever). Box jellyfish and irukandji in tropical waters October to May (stinger suits or don’t swim).

Mosquitoes and midges. More annoying than dangerous in most areas, but mosquitoes carry Ross River virus and occasionally other diseases in tropical regions. Use insect repellent, particularly at dawn and dusk. Long sleeves and pants in the evening. Ensure your van’s fly screens are intact.

Enclosed shoes, watch where you step, and never reach into places you can’t see. Simple rules that become automatic.

Vehicle & Road Safety

Car seat and seatbelt compliance. Australian law requires children to be in an appropriate car seat or booster until they reach the age and size requirements for their state. These requirements are non-negotiable, even on long drives, even when they’re uncomfortable, even when the child is screaming. Check your state’s current requirements before departure and ensure all restraints are correctly installed and current.

Heat in vehicles. A parked vehicle in Australian sun reaches dangerous temperatures within minutes. Never leave children in a parked vehicle, even “just for a minute.” Always check the back seat before locking the car: make it a habit every single time.

Road awareness. Teach kids road safety at every new campsite: where to cross, where vehicles travel, where to be visible. In caravan parks, the main road through the park is a real road with real vehicles. At bush camps near highways, the road may be closer than it feels.

Sun & Heat

Australian sun is brutal, and kids burn faster than adults. Sunscreen (SPF 50+, reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming), hats (broad brim, not just a cap), and sun-protective clothing are daily essentials, not optional extras. Shade at the campsite matters: an awning, a shade sail, or a tarp provides the UV protection that sunscreen alone can’t.

Heat management: Keep kids hydrated, especially on hot days and during activities. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion: headache, nausea, dizziness, excessive thirst, and reduced energy. In extreme heat (above 38°C), modify plans: stay in shade during the middle of the day, swim or water play in the morning, and keep activities low-intensity in the afternoon.

Remote Area Considerations

Parts of the Big Lap take you hours from the nearest hospital. This requires additional preparation when travelling with kids.

First aid kit. A comprehensive kit stocked for children’s needs: children’s paracetamol and ibuprofen (in appropriate doses), antihistamines, bandages, burn gel, antiseptic, a snake bite bandage (and know how to use it), tweezers, thermometer, and any prescription medications with plenty of spare supply.

First aid knowledge. A basic first aid course before departure is worth the investment. Know how to manage a snake bite (pressure immobilisation bandage, keep still, call 000), burns, fractures, allergic reactions, and heat exhaustion. St John Ambulance runs first aid courses that include children-specific scenarios.

Communication. In remote areas without mobile coverage, a satellite communicator (such as a Garmin inReach or a satellite phone) provides emergency communication. An EPIRB is essential for genuinely remote travel. These are not optional extras when you have children in the vehicle.