11. Don’t Pet the Dingos
They may look like cute pooches you’d have as a pet, but Australian dingos are wild dogs. You may indeed encounter a dingo or two in picnic spots in the Northern Territory or Fraser Island. People have fed them so they are quite tame-seeming and bold about coming in close contact with humans. But don’t reach out and pet their furry heads as they are not domesticated canines. Statistically speaking they aren’t a big threat, but there have been a handful of high-profile attacks so you’d best keep a respectful distance. That goes for other wildlife you might encounter, such as goannas, cassowaries or koalas. Forget the close-up photo-ops and keep this on your list of things not to do in Australia.
12. Don’t Go to Fraser Island with an Inexperienced Driver
One of the popular things to do as a backpacker in Australia is a self-drive 4WD trip to Fraser Island. There are plenty of outfitters that help coordinate a group of travelers together with a vehicle, camping gear and a map around this World Heritage site for a couple of days exploration. However, make sure that you have an experienced 4WD driver in your posse who can handle sandy stretches, dirt paths, creeks and other challenging conditions. One of the major roads there is literally right on the beach, so deflate your tires and pay attention to the tides. A budget camping trip can turn into an expensive nightmare if your vehicle gets stuck or excessively wet. There’s always some idiot who tries to drive around the Maheno wreck and then needs a rescue. Choose your traveling companions wisely.
