Australia is famous for its unique wildlife, but some of its creatures are more than just fascinating—they can be downright terrifying. From creepy crawlies to venomous spiders, the land down under is home to some of the most unsettling insects and arachnids on the planet.
For anyone planning to explore Australia, knowing what lurks in the underbrush can be both thrilling and essential for safety. Now, not every spider on this list is dangerous to humans, but I’ve included them because their sheer size and appearance make them pretty scary to most of us. I’m not actually afraid of spiders, but I still wouldn’t want to unexpectedly meet some of these fearsome creatures.
1. Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. It’s found primarily in New South Wales, Australia, especially in forested and suburban areas.
This spider is known for its highly toxic venom. Its bite can be deadly to humans if left untreated. The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider prefers to live in cool, moist environments like gardens and under logs.
2. Redback Spider
The Redback Spider is one of Australia’s most well-known arachnids. Its body is black with a distinctive red stripe on its back. You can find these spiders in dry, sheltered areas like sheds, garages, and under rocks.
Redback Spiders are venomous and their bites can cause severe pain, sweating, and nausea in humans. They are related to the Black Widow Spider found in the United States.
These spiders are common in urban areas, so it’s important to be cautious when reaching into dark, undisturbed places.
3. White-Tailed Spider
The white-tailed spider, known scientifically as Lampona cylindrata, is commonly found in Australia. You can usually identify these spiders by the white tip on their abdomen. They are typically gray to black in color.
You might hear scary stories about white-tailed spider bites. Despite their reputation, their bites usually cause minor symptoms. These can include localized pain and swelling, which are not much worse than a bee sting.
They often hide in bedding, clothing, or shoes. So it’s good to shake out these items if you’ve left them on the floor. They prefer dark, hidden places to hunt. These spiders mainly feed on other spiders.
4. Mouse Spider
Mouse Spiders are one of the notable arachnids in Australia. They are known for their large, bulbous heads and strong jaws. While both males and females are dangerous, females are bigger and stockier.
You can identify Mouse Spiders by their smooth, shiny carapace and widespread eyes. Their legs appear long and thin, giving them a distinct look compared to other spiders.
Despite their scary appearance, they are rarely encountered by humans.
5. Trapdoor Spider
Trapdoor spiders live in Australia and are fascinating and mysterious creatures. These spiders dig burrows in the ground and cover them with a camouflaged “trapdoor” made from silk, soil, and vegetation.
They ambush their prey, such as insects and small animals, by quickly opening the trapdoor and pulling them inside. Female trapdoor spiders can live for over 20 years, staying in their burrows for most of their lives.
Males, on the other hand, leave their burrows once they reach maturity to find a mate. This journey can be dangerous due to predators and environmental hazards.
6. Australian Huntsman Spider
The Australian Huntsman Spider is a large spider often found in homes. Females can be up to 2 cm in body length, while males are about 1.6 cm. Their leg span can reach up to 15 cm.
These spiders have a grey to brown body color. Some species have banded legs. They are known for their speed and ability to climb walls.
Huntsman spiders are helpful as they control insect populations. They usually eat cockroaches and mosquitoes. Although they look scary, they are not dangerous to humans.
Huntsman spiders are mostly active at night. They live about 2.5 years, longer than many other spiders. They often hide under loose bark or in rock crevices.
You might find these spiders in your home, especially in the warmer months. They play an important role in keeping your home free of pests.
7. Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are fascinating creatures that you might find in your backyard. They don’t build webs to catch prey. Instead, they chase and pounce on their targets.
These spiders mostly eat insects but can attack small vertebrates if given a chance. Their size can range from 1 to 8 centimeters. They are not aggressive but will bite if provoked.
8. Golden Orb-Weaver
Golden Orb-Weaver spiders are large arachnids native to Australia. The females are much bigger than the males. They have silvery-grey or plum-colored bodies and legs that can be brown-black with yellow bands.
These spiders are known for their impressive webs. The webs have a golden sheen and are very strong. You can find Golden Orb-Weavers in many different habitats across Australia, from gardens to forests.
9. Saint Andrew’s Cross Spider
The Saint Andrew’s Cross Spider gets its name from the unique zig-zag bands of silk in its web that form an X-shape. This feature makes its web stand out among other orb webs.
This spider is found on Australia’s east coast. Females are larger than males and have striking yellow, black, silver, and red colors on their bodies.
It’s a skilled hunter, catching insects like flies, moths, and bees in its sticky web.
10. Common Garden Orb-Weaver
The Common Garden Orb-Weaver, also known as Eriophora transmarina, is found in many Australian backyards. These spiders build large, strong webs at night to catch flying insects like moths and beetles.
Their bodies are diverse in appearance, often mottled or striped. Females can reach up to 30mm. During the day, they hide among leaves, making them hard to spot.
11. Australian Tarantula
The Australian tarantula is a large and hairy spider that can grow up to 8 cm in body size, with leg spans reaching up to 16 cm. These spiders have strong fangs that can be up to 1 cm long. While their bite is painful, they are not aggressive and will usually only attack if provoked.
Australian tarantulas are often called “bird-eating spiders,” but they mostly eat insects, frogs, lizards, and other spiders. They have thick hair pads on their legs and feet, which help them move quietly and grip surfaces well.
Despite their fearsome appearance and nicknames, these spiders are an important part of Australia’s ecosystem. They control insect populations and are fascinating creatures to observe from a distance.
12. Common Brown Huntsman
The Common Brown Huntsman spider is easily recognized by its large size and distinctive appearance. Female huntsman spiders can have a body length of up to 2 cm, while males are a bit smaller at up to 1.6 cm.
Their leg span can reach up to 15 cm, making them one of the largest spiders in Australia. They are typically grey to brown in color and some species may have banded legs.
You can often find these spiders in narrow spaces under loose bark or rock crevices. Despite their intimidating look, Common Brown Huntsmen are actually helpful in controlling insect populations around your home and garden.
13. Mouse Island Silk Spider
The Mouse Island Silk Spider is one of Australia’s lesser-known arachnids. It inhabits the dense forests of Mouse Island. This spider has a unique silk production process.
Its body is sleek and slender, primarily dark brown with lighter stripes. The spider’s silk is incredibly strong and used by the spider to construct elaborate webs.
Despite its name, it is commonly found in Australia, not just on Mouse Island. While not dangerous to humans, its appearance can be quite intimidating.
14. Australian Red-Faced Red Widow
The Australian Red-Faced Red Widow is a striking spider found in various parts of Australia.
It has a distinctive red mark on its face, which makes it easy to identify.
This spider prefers hiding in cool, dark places like woodpiles and sheds.
While it might look scary, its bite is not dangerous to humans.
