Giant huntsman spider captured on camera in Australia

Named Charlotte, the creature is described as 'beautiful', 'calm' and 'not aggressive in any way'

A huntsman spider in Queensland, Australia. The spider's leg span can reach up to 5.9 inches. (Barnyard Betty's Rescue/Facebook)

A picture of a giant spider in Australia has been shared on social media thousands of times.

The huntsman spider, named Chartlotte, has been living at an animal rescue farm in Queensland.

The picture, showing the spider on a broom, was taken in October of last year and has remerged on Facebook.

Barnyard Betty’s, the animal sanctuary that is looking after the spider, said Charlotte was living in peace.

“I'm not sure why now but she is going absolutely viral and become an internet sensation!” Barnyard Betty's wrote in a Facebook post.

“She is a huntsman spider and we are located in Queensland, Australia, and yes she is very real and very large and not photoshopped!

“She was a beautiful, calm spider, not aggressive in any way and like most spiders she just wanted to go about her business eating bugs and living in peace. She didn't or doesn't need to be killed! Poor spiders are so misunderstood!

“All creatures great and small are welcome here at Barnyard Betty's Rescue a safe haven no matter how you look!!”

Although the bite of a huntsman spider is not poisonous, its appearance can be extremely startling.

The news of Charlotte's existence comes as a man drove his car into a lake when a huntsman spider somehow landed on his arm, according to Macquarie Port News.

The driver, who has not been named, pressed down on the accelerator instead of the brake and drove into Lake Cathie, in Australia.