According to National Geographic, you have a one in 218 chance of dying from a fall but a one in 3.7 million chance of being killed by a shark.
While the risk of being bitten by a shark is less than one in a million, there have still been fatal incidents. SharkSmart NSW says White, Bull and Tiger Sharks are referred to as “target sharks”, as they are the are most frequently involved in serious shark bites in NSW.
Australia's Great White crisis: “Esperance is the sharkiest place in the world right now… these are big, big sharks…they're eating humans like seals. It feels like we're being hunted!” "If people knew how many people are bumped off boards, how many Whites we're seeing close to shore, they'd be shocked.”
Bondi Beach, Australia
There have been 139 shark bites since 2007, 15 of them fatal, according to the ISAF. Most of the attacks have taken place off the coast of New South Wales, the state where Bondi Beach is located.
Byron Bay. This much-loved holiday hotspot in northern New South Wales has experienced 12 unprovoked shark attacks since 1990, more than anywhere else in the country.
Fraser Island beach is often described as “the most dangerous beach in the world”. This is obviously due to the dingoes that roam on the island, as well as being a popular hangout for great white sharks, jellyfish and poisonous sting rays.
The highest recorded numbers of sharks/day in recent years have often peaked during our spring months of September to November. The very largest sharks seen are usually mature female sharks which can measure over 5m long.
Bondi Beach is considered the safest beach in Australia. It's one of the most popular beaches that has lifesavers patrolling the beach all day. Bondi Beach is considered the safest beach because of the number of patrolled lifeguards for those swimming, you should swim only on patrolled beaches.
Shark attack statistics show that Australia is the deadliest location in the world when it comes to shark attack fatalities. More than 700 unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded since 1900, resulting in more than 170 fatalities, with hundreds more severely injured.
A staggering 72 per cent of Australians say they are scared of sharks, and most of that fear comes from how the animals are perceived in mainstream media and movies. However, a national research project headed by Sea Life Sydney, is calling for better education into how swimmers interact with the animals.
Shark attacks are more likely to occur at dawn and dusk, precisely when they're more active searching for food. Also, because the visibility is limited during the twilight hours, sharks may mistake you for prey animals or enemies. That is why you must avoid surfing alone in shark-infested waters.
White sharks occur in coastal, shelf, and continental slope waters around Australia, from north-western Western Australia and south around the coast to central Queensland.
Western Australian Museum scientists made the discovery when they uncovered 38 teeth belonging to Carcharocles megalodon, a prehistoric shark that research suggests grew to between 15 and 19 metres in length.
Shark attacks are extremely rare
The odds of being killed by a shark in Australia are one in 8 million. It's the same likelihood of being killed by a kangaroo – even though kangaroos don't evoke the same fear in us, the danger is there, but it's miniscule.
More than 60 per cent of Australians fear public spaces or large crowds.
There have been 13 reported shark contact incidents at Bondi Beach since records began, one of which is known to have been a hoax.
The family of a British man killed by a shark in Australia have paid tribute to “a wonderful human being” who had a “rare gift” of connecting with people. Simon Nellist, 35, died in the great white shark attack on Wednesday off Little Bay, east Sydney – the first fatal attack in Sydney for 60 years.
The last deadly attack occurred on 10 July 2021. The attacks were caused by the species bull shark and tiger shark.
'Misery' Beach named Australia's best in 2022
30 January 2022 – It's official. A little-known Western Australian beach called Misery has taken out the title of Australia's Best Beach.
Sydney prides itself on safety, deep culture, and friendly communities. It is considered the fifth safest city in the world and Australia's safest city.