In all likelihood this is a Sydney funnel web spider in a bush at my bus stop. The spider is at the front of the tunnel which goes quite a way back into the bush. (I didn’t check how far.)

It may well be another species as I only saw its rear end and habitat. Discretion forced me not to try further identification!

(The info below was taken from Wikipedia and the Australian Natural History website.)

From sharks,crocodiles and box jellyfish in the sea, to crocodiles in the rivers, to cassowaries, snakes and spiders on land, Australia has a reputation for being filled with animals ready to kill you. One land-dwelling animal that has the history to back up those claims is the Sydney funnel-web spider – with venom that can kill a human in just 15 minutes.

The Sydney funnel-web spider is the most dangerous in Australia and quite possibly the world. You can find it in forests, but urban areas around Sydney aren't a foreign concept to this deadly creature.

The symptoms of being bitten are swelling and redness. Nausea and abdominal pain. Difficulty breathing. General muscle numbness and muscle spasms. Death is the final symptom.

Fortunately, no fatalities have occurred since the introduction of modern first-aid techniques and then anti venom in the early 1980s.

[winghong_ho]

Better not to get closer. I like how you capture the web.

[Phil Sandford]

Shudder

I'm more and more convicnced that everything in Australia wants to kill you.

[Mags]

That's a nice funnel web and capture!

[John Falconer]

@wh2021 @phil_sandford @marlboromaam

We never really think of these beasties much. Maybe if did we would all move to safer New Zealand.

[Casablanca]

I hate these beasties! My cousin once shared a flat with a guy who used to catch them and keep them in jars.....she moved out!!

[Lesley]

Gosh, I’m glad you stayed back!

[Kathy]

Interesting way the web is built, if the white is the web.

[Diana]

Amazing capture of this huge critter!

[carol white]

Creepy 😲

[Beverley]

Scary reading, Great capture and really interesting to learn.

[Desi]

Wow, I sure wouldn't like to walk into that! Great find

[KoalaGardens🐨]

brilliant find

[Cordiander]

I am glad that the most dangerous animal here is the wolf :) He is shy of people (the spider probably too).

[Joy's Focus]

No thank you

[Babs]

What an interesting web they make.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Wow- good idea not to check it out further! It does not look appealing whatsoever!

[John Falconer]

@casablanca @tinley23 @randystreat @ludwigsdiana @beverley365 @seacreature @koalagardens @cordulaamann @joysfocus @onewing @olivetreeann
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. I’m going back today with a better camera to see if it still wants its photo taken. It’s at the bus stop so I’ve got an excuse.

[John Falconer]

@randystreat
Thanks Kathy. The outside web is over the bush about 40+ cms square or 15+ ins square. The centre is a tunnel made of web where the spider hides and lives.

[Bill Ososki]

Very interesting

[Dave]

Awesome shot!

[Valerie Chesney]

Great capture of the web!
I have not seen a funnel web spiders web....
Pleased you investigated no further!

[John Falconer]

@happysnaps @darchibald @ososki
Thanks. It’s gone as of today.