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| A beautiful Tassie beach at the start of Summer. Our waters stay very cold until the first blast of summer heat. Now it probably looks like the beach below or even some of the ones in urban Sydney on Christmas Eve |
- Thanks to Gordon S. for this photo
Before I continue with the saga of Veronika’s Adventures and Misadventures in Europe, I just want to remind people quickly to take extra care this summer, especially when visiting Australia or Tasmania.
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| Aussies have always loved their beaches during the long hot summer - This image is of Glenelg Beach near Adelaide, South Australia in 1911. St.Kilda Beach in Melbourne was like this in the 70's. Would hate to see either of them now. And yes, you can get into trouble, even in the midst of a crowd |
-Image with thanks to Kaye on Flickr
Since December 1, 43 people have drowned though not all of them at beaches. At least three bushwalkers have died in separate incidents in Tasmania’s highlands and in NSW, Water Police have had to respond to more than 100 water -related incidents in the first week of 2025. A look at the Royal Life Saving Society's pages has lots of tips on how to stay safe around water.
The rising number of drownings involving older people is concerning, but I have noticed myself that although a strong swimmer all my life, I now have much less upper body strength than I had in the past and can't swim as far or against the current as much as I used to, much less get on a surfboard. Certain medical conditions which tend to increase with age, may also be a factor. Go cautiously until you know your own limitations.
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| I wish, but I'm too aware of my brittle bones! |
-Thanks to Gordon S. for this photo
Even though you may be a good swimmer, walker or boatperson at home, be very aware that conditions are different here – it is indeed part of the adventure of visiting Australia – being self sufficient and having adequate skill and resources to survive a more challenging set of circumstances. I fondly recall going to a National Park in South Korea, where everyone was kitted out in North Face gear, but there was a coffee machine and a Portaloo every four hundred metres or so and even when I thought I had found a secluded spot to have a quiet smoke, I was immediately surrounded by four or five polite uniformed rangers who told me that that wasn’t allowed.
Here, help if any, is likely to be much further away and may
not even be able to reach you if bad weather and poor signals – often the case,
preclude it. Weather conditions can change rapidly whether at sea
or on land, so be sure to have adequate clothing, supplies and equipment for
any emergency. If you look back through these pages, you will notice that I
have often had to turn back – see Hartz Peak or Adamson’s Falls, for instance, and try
again at another time. There's much less shame in that than in having other people risk their own lives to have to rescue you.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back so they can sound the alarm if you don't arrive by the agreed time. At National Parks and popular walking trails, there is usually a log book to register your walk, who' s with you and expected return time. This is very important if you're lost or or have been injured in some way. More than once, coming back late from a walk with my children which always took longer than anticipated, rangers would already be out looking for us by the time we got back. Don't forget to sign out on your way out either, so valuable time and resources aren't wasted.
Ideally swim only at patrolled beaches, especially if you don't know the place. You are also more likely to get a warning should there be a shark about, though that's much rarer than you might think from reading media reports. Don’t swim or walk alone. That way if you get into difficulty, there is someone who can get help. Cramps, snake bites, a fall, getting lost, can all be deadly if you don’t have the right gear or there's no one around. By all means ask local people about the best places to swim, but not even they always know where the rips and hidden rocks are. If you do find yourself caught in a rip and being dragged out to sea, don't panic and wear yourself out trying to fight it. Let the current carry you but aim for the sides and gradually its grip will lessen. Save your energy for the swim back.
Learn how to rescue people properly. Many people have perished trying to save someone else. If someone falls into the water or seems to be struggling, don't jump in and try to save them. Hang onto a branch and pass them another one, or a pole or a rope, and then haul them out. The idea is not to endanger yourself in the process. All watercraft in Australia are required to have a Lifebuoy and ropes on hand in case someone falls overboard and there should be enough lifejackets for everyone on board. Waterskiers and jetskiers must wear them too. Most states also require boat operators to take a special course to obtain a marine licence though the precise requirements vary from state to state.
Don’t drink and drive or get behind the wheel of a boat if
you’ve had a few tinnies.* Every drink (or any other mind altering substance) reduces your ability to anticipate danger and slows
your ability to respond to emergencies, mechanical problems, weather changes and the like. While freak waves, high winds and storms have always plagued those at sea, they are now becoming more frequent and intense. Our beaches are also becoming more crowded increasing the risk of possible injury.
Don’t assume that because a car says it’s a four -wheel drive, that it can tackle everything and never take on flood waters without first testing the depth and the strength of the current. You can easily be swept off a road. Always drive slowly on unknown roads and always assume that there might be a fully laden log truck heading your way.
Google Maps doesn’t usually cover the more remote areas in Tasmania and you will have trouble getting a signal in many places. A Personal Locator Beacon -rented or purchased if necessary, can help to keep you safe. Maps may be out of date and a road or bridge that once was, may no longer exist. These are things which I have learned to my cost. Take plenty of fuel. It takes a lot more to navigate poor roads, hills and curves not to mention ice, fog or bad weather and roads are often badly signed or not signed at all.
Also allow much more time than you think. Slow down for wildlife, especially at dawn or dusk. Part of the charm of Tasmania is slowing down to appreciate nature. Give it time to work on you and refresh your soul. Obey all road warnings and look out for weather and fire alerts and be courteous to other road and water users. You never know when you might be the one lying in a ditch and hoping someone will stop and help.
And One More Thing…
A more insidious killer is UV (Ultra Violet Light). To read how it affects you skin and your health, even your DNA click here. Ironically UV is very high in Tasmania because our air is so clean and there’s not enough
pollution to cut it back. It’s been hovering around the Maximum of 10 for days
and is generally highest at midday. If you look at the Bureau of Meteorology Website, you will see the day's estimates along with various warnings and alerts, including boating information.
Don’t go out without sunblock – including while swimming, and cover your head, arms and legs if you are out and about. “Budgie smugglers”* and itsy-bitsy bikinis are no longer the Aussie Cozzie* National Beach Uniform and Rashies are in – a UV blocking thin Lycra vest in various shapes and colours which still allows plenty of movement for swimming, surfing and diving. These are especially good for kids, as you won’t have to run around reapplying sunblock each time they have a swim.
Seek shade where possible and get yourself a sunhat - no matter how ugly, and a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection, because UV also affects your eyes. Get more tips from the Cancer Council website. If there are no trees or shelter where you are going, pack a beach umbrella.
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| This is my son's well worn rashie or Rash vest. This helps to protect against UV, sand rash and minor scrapes. Bright colours, preferably not blue or black, will help people to spot you in the water should you get into trouble. A black one may make a shark think you're a seal and assume you are dinner |
Many former sunworshippers including my sister, are now paying the price of all that sunbathing in the 60s and 70s while trying to get a tan. Mostly this involves removing moles which are starting to show signs of malignant change under the skin, but for some, especially many former outdoor workers, it can result in far more severe damage and even death from Melanoma. If you notice changes in a mole – I had an unconfirmed growth removed after only a few days' exposure at a pool in Perth- go to your nearest Skin Clinic and get it checked as soon as possible.
Lastly, take and drink plenty of water, to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. Climate change is here and general weather information doesn’t always show how conditions are where you want to go. We do want you to enjoy yourself and go home with only fond memories and come back to enjoy the rest.
For a list of Tasmanian beaches which are patrolled, click here.
Meanwhile, a big thank you to our Surf Lifesavers - who are all volunteers, and the Water Police who help to keep our beaches safe and also the Search and Rescue workers who give up their own holidays to look for lost hikers and the like. More than 400 people turned out to search for the young man missing on a bushwalk in Mount Kosciuszko National Park recently. Fortunately he was found safe and well two days ago after being in the bush for 13 days.
*Some translations you might not find in Google Translate
- Budgie Smugglers - a once popular form of tight-fitting Lycra swimming shorts
Tinnie - can refer to a can of beer or the aluminium dinghies - small boats, fishermen often use. In this instance, I mean the former - Cozzie - NSW term for a swimming costume- called bathers elsewhere
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