Buzzkill Down Under leaves Brit wishing she could fly away

The dream of moving to Australia often conjures images of sunny beaches, friendly locals, and an enviable outdoor lifestyle.

It's a country that has consistently ranked highly for its quality of life, and for many Brits, it represents a chance for a fresh start in a land of opportunity.

However, one UK traveller's experience is a cautionary tale that life Down Under isn't always the sun-drenched idyll it's made out to be.


When Faye, a UK expat, decided to take the plunge and move to Australia, she was well aware of the country's infamous wildlife.

Friends and family had warned her about the spiders, snakes, crocodiles, sharks, and even the odd aggressive kangaroo. She was prepared for these challenges, or so she thought.

But there was one aspect of Australian life that nobody had mentioned, and it turned out to be a deal-breaker for her: the flies.


brit.png
UK expat was hounded by flies on her visit to Karijini National Park. Image Source: TikTok / @fayebayee


Yes, the flies. It's not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of potential hazards in Australia, but for Faye, they became the bane of her existence.

‘Everyone says to do the working holiday visa and move to Australia, to go and travel there because it's the best thing you can do,’ she said.

‘But do you know what nobody talks about? All the flies. Nobody warned me about this.’

The relentless swarms of insects were so overwhelming that she resorted to wearing a net over her face to make her daily life bearable.

She said, ‘This is the reality. I have to wear this net over my head because they will not stop.’

She then added, ‘These flies are relentless. They're not like English flies. I've said that before and I'll say it again—they won't give you a break.’


Faye's experience is a stark reminder that every paradise has its pests. While she praised the stunning landscapes of places like Karijini National Park, the constant battle with flies made her question her decision to move.

‘I probably wouldn't have come if I knew this was a reality,’ she admitted.

Australia's flies are notorious, especially in rural and Outback areas. They are not only a nuisance but can also be quite aggressive, seeking moisture from any available source, including human sweat, tears, and even the moisture you exhale.

This can make outdoor activities, a significant part of the Australian lifestyle, less enjoyable during certain times of the year.

Faye's post about her struggle with the flies sparked a flurry of responses from locals and fellow travellers alike. Some offered practical advice, such as using citronella soap, which is said to be effective in repelling flying insects.

Others shared their own experiences, with one person saying, ‘YEP! (It) can happen in Sydney too. I have watched people downtown with their backs covered in flies!


The conversation also highlighted the unexpected role that some of Australia's less-loved creatures play in managing the fly population.

‘And the rest of the world wonders why we like our huntsman spiders,’ one commenter pointed out that these giant, often feared spiders help keep insect numbers in check.

It's important to be aware of the less glamorous aspects of life in the Land Down Under. While the country offers a wealth of natural beauty and a high standard of living, it also comes with its own challenges.

Preparing for these realities can help ensure your experience is positive.


Source: TikTok / @fayebayee

If you plan to spend time in rural or Outback areas, consider investing in protective gear like face nets and insect-repellent clothing.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive guide on how to deal with the fly season, check out this article on what to know about Australia’s most common flies and how to keep them away.
Key Takeaways

  • A UK traveller was surprised by the 'relentless' insect problem in Australia, particularly with the presence of flies.
  • The traveller expressed regret, saying she might not have moved if she had been aware of the insect situation.
  • She now wears a net over her face to protect herself from the flies.
  • Social media users offered advice, from staying in different environments to using citronella soap to ward off flying insects.
Have you had similar experiences with Australia's insect life? Or have you found some ingenious ways to cope with the little critters? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
 
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Hahahaha, funny as.
Just the local wildlife being ever so friendly to the nice, well spoken young Englishwoman. Some might call her a sook, but the plurry flies do get to some.
Sounds like no-one taught her the wave! :ROFLMAO:

Wonder how many she took in the gob before the net thingy went on.
If she knew what they've just been walking on, she'd be calling them worse than that.
;)
 
Hahahaha, funny as.
Just the local wildlife being ever so friendly to the nice, well spoken young Englishwoman. Some might call her a sook, but the plurry flies do get to some.
Sounds like no-one taught her the wave! :ROFLMAO:

Wonder how many she took in the gob before the net thingy went on.
If she knew what they've just been walking on, she'd be calling them worse than that.
;)
🤣🤣🤣👍
 
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Reactions: Jennylolo
What a precious little thing she is. Hate to hear her in a mouse plague or having to deal with the great aussie cockroach families (and there are many types). Then there's the lovely mozzie and it will even leave a nice little prezzie after it has dinner. hahahahahha
 
I remember going to Portsmouth in the UK to test a Radar system, for our navy.

The whole place was covered by European Wasps, they were just as persistent as our flies with the added bonus of a nasty sting, to which I am allergic.

I woke up one morning to find a couple in my hotel room, on the bed stalking me. They go after the carbon dioxide in your breath.
 
Aah! The bush, love it to bits. We lived in a condemned house, complete with blow flies coming down the chimney when I was cooking, a family of field mice in the chest of drawers, also mice loving peanuts and trying to drag them through the hole in the wall! An angora goat that dropped her pellets whenever and wherever, peacocks from next door wandering through. And a sooky blue healer that befriended them all. In downtown Mudgee, glorious days
 
Do your homework before moving to another country especially permanently!!. Every country has their good and not so good things. I would never move to the UK - to me it’s just too cold & drizzles so much. My sister & brother in law and their partners in the UK complain when their temperature goes over 25 degrees - what would they do here in some areas that go into the 40s?!
 
I live in S-E Qld . There are very few flies , probably in a lot of other Aussie areas . Every country has something you do not like .
I went to Scotland about 7 yrs ago to walk the West Highland Way , which is a multiple day walk and I was warned by an ex-pom that there will be lots of mitzi’s around there . And there were plenty of them on certain days , so bad and wearing a net over your head and then try to eat and drink on the way . I know , I swallowed plenty of them , there was no other way , no food and drinks was not an option . . Saw plenty of people struggling the same as I did. You just have to put up with it . I was worse when it rained . At least they were gone when it got dark.
 
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I'm a Pom. OZZIES know the flies are a requirement so other insects can survives.Stay away from fly-blown areas if you are prone to attracting flies. I have met many nice people on my 57 years in OZZ, when sometimes I have brushed away the friendly fly someone has waved back whom I would never have met without the fly.
 
At least she does have a fly net. Good job she did not go to Scotland and experience the Midges. If I was her, I would seriously think about how many people die around the world when a Mosquito's bites/injects the skin. Ozzy flies will annoy the hell out of you bet generally they will not kill you. However, mosquitos will transfer so many lethal and life changing diseases. Do your research, think before you Winge.
 
That net she is wearing if worn in the Northern parts of W.A. will make her sweat profusely because no air can get through to cool her. Is she prepared for that too?

I had an English workmate tell me that as he & his family got off the plane he thought everyone was waving to them but instead they were chasing flies away. 😄😀
 
That net she is wearing if worn in the Northern parts of W.A. will make her sweat profusely because no air can get through to cool her. Is she prepared for that too?

I had an English workmate tell me that as he & his family got off the plane he thought everyone was waving to them but instead they were chasing flies away. 😄😀
I recall the days when Two Pound Poms landed in Sydney and either refused to leave the plane or demanded to get back on so they could go home.
 
At least she does have a fly net. Good job she did not go to Scotland and experience the Midges. If I was her, I would seriously think about how many people die around the world when a Mosquito's bites/injects the skin. Ozzy flies will annoy the hell out of you bet generally they will not kill you. However, mosquitos will transfer so many lethal and life changing diseases. Do your research, think before you Winge.
Of course it is only female mosquitos that do the biting for the blood needed by them.
 

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