One of Australia’s most venomous snakes had Ballina residents frightened

A highly venomous snake had beachgoers shocked when it washed up on a Northern NSW swimming spot. Here’s why.

An eastern brown snake has frightened locals out of the water at a popular swimming spot.

The second most toxic snake in the world shocked residents when it found its home in the rocks of Sharpe’s Beach in Ballina on Friday.

It reportedly hopped out of the water and slithered across the sand into the rock areas along the shore.

There were no lifeguards on duty at the time.

An eastern brown snake washed up on Sharpe's Beach on January 28.

It is the second time this month that a curious creature has surfers alarmed at Sharpe’s Beach.

Bridget Thomson from the Wildlife Twins says its not uncommon to find eastern browns frolicking in the area especially around the beaches as it provides the perfect habitat for them.

She says rock walls and eroded slabs of concrete are ideal for snakes to hunt for mice and rats.

“They produce a third of the bites that occur in Australia each year,” she said.

“One of the most important facts to remember is that 85 per cent of snake bites occur when someone is trying to catch, kill or handle a snake so just leave them alone.”

The snakes have poor vision and react mostly to movement.

Beachgoers are advised that if they encounter a brown snake to not get close to it as that will startle the snake and cause it to retaliate.