Australia is home to an abundance of awesome wildlife. Several of the species, particularly the marsupials, can be found nowhere else on Earth. Most of these animals can be observed in zoos across Australia, but the ideal is to see them in their natural habitat. We take a look at some of the animals you can hope to see in Australia and where to find them.
1. Kangaroo
It might be a cliché, but when someone says Australia one of the first things that pop into mind, along with cricket, surfing and sunshine, is the kangaroo. Considering their profusion, it’s hardly surprising, and you’re bound to be able to see one on your trip. For a unique experience of this endemic marsupial, head to Murramarang National Park in New South Wales for a chance to see eastern grey kangaroos bounce along the sand on Pebbly Beach.
2. Koala
The other usual suspect of Aussie things that quickly come to mind is the koala, another endemic marsupial. The east coast of Australia is their home, and you can visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane for a special insight into this famous critter.
3. Wombat
You won’t find koalas in Tasmania, but keep an eye out for wombats – especially because they are tricky to spot in the wild. The fact that they are nocturnal marsupials does not help, but if you’re set on trying to catch a glimpse of these sweet, stocky critters in the wild, you can head to New South Wales and eastern Victoria; in addition to Tasmania, including Flinders Island, just off its north-eastern tip.
4. Platypus
While in Tasmania, keep an eye out for the platypus. You will need to be extremely attentive, because they are also tough to spot in the wild. Count yourself very lucky if you see one. The viewing platform on Broken River in Eungella National Park in Queensland is another good place to try your luck in spotting this endemic egg-laying mammal of Australia.
5. Tasmanian Devil
When discussing Tasmania, we cannot leave out the Tasmanian devil. Not only does it take its name from the island, but it is also the only place where you will find this carnivorous marsupial in the wild. On the island you will find the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park which focuses on saving these endangered creatures.
6. Thorny Devil Lizard
The thorny devil lizard is another of Australia’s allusive animals. To make matters even more complex, it has a host of other names which juggle the words thorny, devil and lizard. These are: horny dragon, thorny lizard, mountain devil, and the odd one out, the moloch. The thorny devil lizard’s habitat consists of the dry inland regions of the Australian Outback, as well as the south-western coast.
7. Dingo
Dingoes have a very particular place in Australian history and folklore, and in the wild they are important apex predators. Descended from the grey wolf, dingoes are free-ranging dogs which are typically shy and avoid contact with humans. But they are not an animal to be trifled with, and attacks have been known to happen. These often occur, because people ignore warnings about feeding dingoes. Fraser Island is an excellent location to find them, and is known as being home to some of the most genetically pure dingoes; but for all the similarities they may share with domestic dogs, they are wild and it is imperative to exercise caution and refrain from feeding them.
8. Cassowary
Some form of bird had to find its way onto this list, and it comes in the shape of the cassowary. It is native to north-eastern Australia, as well as the tropical forests of New Guinea. Like the dingo, cassowaries must not be fed. However, while a dingo tends to shy away, this bird is aggressive towards humans and should not be approached. In the wild they can be found in places such as Kuranda, Etty Bay and Wallaman Falls; but if you feel safer seeing them in captivity, head to Daintree Wild Zoo, Cairns Tropical Zoo or Billabong Sanctuary.
9. Dugongs
Marine life could not be left out either, and even though the dugong’s range extends from the warm coastal waters of East Africa to Australia, the majority are found on the coast of the latter. Shark Bay, in Western Australia, is home to 10 000 dugongs and Ningaloo Marine Park, also on the west coast, is another great dugong destination.
10. Wallaby
We can’t leave out the wallaby, which is an animal so intrinsic to Australia that their national rugby team has been named after it. This marsupial is common like the kangaroo, but smaller in size. One of the trickier subspecies to spot is the rock wallaby. They are usually found amongst cliffs and boulders in Mareeba and on Magnetic Island.
This list is by no means exhaustive. There is an amazing variety of animals to see all over Australia and in the surrounding waters too. Whether you go hiking, diving or four-wheel driving you are bound to have an incredible wildlife encounter, exclusive to Australia.
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Featured image by Kyle Taylor
