Where do locust plagues occur?
Locust plagues can occur anywhere in mainland Australia. The area affected by a plague is largely dependent on where significant rain has fallen and which way the wind displaces migrating swarms. Outbreaks of the Australian plague locust are particularly frequent in inland areas of Queensland (Qld), New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA). In some years swarms of the Australian plague locust reach cropping areas of Victoria (Vic) or eastern Queensland. Outbreaks in Western Australia (WA) are infrequent but plagues do occur. The Great Dividing Range acts as a natural barrier to migrating locusts, protecting coastal areas of eastern Australia from invasion, although populations occasionally establish in cleared valleys, such as the Hunter Valley in NSW. Areas of higher rainfall also have fewer locust problems because parasites and diseases are able to keep their numbers in check. For more information see the About Locusts page.