A metre-long venomous red-bellied blacksnake was recently discovered slithering across a busy road towards Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach, sparking concern and highlighting an extremely rare occurrence for the popular Sydney suburb.
Unusual Appearance in Bondi
Local resident Tim was driving along Old South Head Road, the main thoroughfare dividing Bondi Beach and Bellevue Hill, when his girlfriend, Lara, noticed a woman attempting to guide a snake off the road with a stick.
Tim, who grew up in country Victoria and has some experience with snakes, quickly realised it was not a harmless tree snake or python as he initially expected, but a red-bellied blacksnake. While bites from this species can cause long-lasting harm, no human fatalities have been recorded in Australia for decades.
Community Steps Up for Safety
Knowing the potential danger, Tim stepped back and watched as the woman, identified as Michelle, guided the snake down Hall Street towards a nearby tree. Worried about children leaving school soon, Tim attempted to contact police and wildlife rescue, but they were unable to assist.
He then decided to call a professional reptile handler. Tim stated he preferred to pay for a snake catcher rather than risk a child being bitten. Michelle then offered to split the cost, and another bystander, Tyson, who was walking his dog, also contributed.
Expert Explains Rare Sighting
Chris Williams, founder of Urban Reptile Removal and president of the Australian Herpetological Society, attended the scene and safely secured the snake. Mr Williams, a seasoned snake handler with extensive knowledge of red-bellied blacksnake habitats, confirmed there are no recent records of the species residing in Bondi Beach.
He suggested a simple theory for its presence, explaining that finding one in Bondi is exceptionally rare, indicating it was likely a “translocation.” Mr Williams stated that red-bellied blacksnakes are known for hitching rides on the underside of cars, suggesting this was how it ended up in the suburb.
Increased Risk for Residents and Pets
Mr Williams highlighted the increased danger posed by the snake’s presence in an area where the species is not typically found. He noted the potential for curious children to approach the snake.
More critically, he pointed out that local veterinarians in Bondi Beach would likely not have snake bite immediately on their radar when diagnosing animal illnesses. He explained that vets might initially consider a wide range of other possibilities before a snake bite, which could lead to critical delays in treatment for a bitten pet, potentially proving fatal.
Second Remarkable Discovery
Remarkably, the red-bellied blacksnake in Bondi was not the only significant reptile rescue Mr Williams undertook that day. Earlier, he was called to the Dundas Valley, near Parramatta, after a cat attacked a 70cm tiger snake.
Mr Williams noted that finding a tiger snake, considered the fourth most venomous snake globally, in an established suburb like Dundas Valley is a significant discovery for snake enthusiasts and the wider public. He believes this tiger snake might be part of a rare, surviving population in the area’s interconnected bushland, which has persisted despite urban development and the presence of domestic animals.
Published Date 09-Jun-2025