1

During the day it will be flies, at around dawn & dusk you will be bothered by mosquitoes. They can be bad, or not, depending on where you are. Carry a can/roll on of Aerogard, or Off, and the bugs will leave you alone. Also, when camping, carry a couple of citronella candles or mosquito coils (most camping shops & supermarkets have them) - put one on the table and one on the ground near where you will be sitting/relaxing. They do work.

Edited by: KoalasRule

2

Also consider buying a portable bug house, they collapse down in 20 seconds and put up in less time, eat your meals read book etc minus mozzies, an addition to the suggestions above. Cost about $120.00

3

It really depends on the time of year you plan on visiting.
Our colder months - there's not that many mozzies or flies so if you plan on being here from April-October, that would not be a problem.

4

Just some insect repellant is all you need in Australia. Nothing fancy, can buy it here. You certainly don't need the super strong DEET based repellant i've needed in Africa or latin america.

5

Flies (especially over the summer) are a part of the Australian experience, we just live with them using the good advice above.

Common flies don't bite you, they are attracted to food, sweat etc. and are just a nuisance. You will see what is called the "Australian salute" which is hand waving around the head to shoo away the flies. There are some bitey flies but they aren't very common.

Mosquitoes do bite but for most people it is just an annoying reddening but as outlined above using personal body insect repellent will do the job (same to keep flies off your body). As a general statement mosquitoes don't carry other diseases like in the tropics (malaria and dengue fewer).

I say go for the campervan and adapt like we do!! You'll have a great time.

6

but march flies do. These are about the size of a house fly and are mostly common around the coast, and leave a long lasting itchy bite. Also you don't feel them till it's too late. Fortunately they are slow and easy to swat.

I am a mozzie magnet, and find that tropical strength Bushmans is good for keeping the pests away.

7

The funny thing is that you'll have no flies until your dinner (especially if you've cooked meat) starts to smell great, then the flies will come and try for a free meal.

8

Fortunately they are slow and easy to swat

In September and October they are, but by November / December the slow learners have been killed off, only the smart ones remain and they can be quite difficult to swat, especially if you are doing something that requires the use of both hands.

Just a touch of Darwinism here. Only the smartest live to enjoy the pleasures associated with breeding.