12 Superb Australian Wildlife Experiences

Australian natives Natalie and Steve share the most effective Australian wildlife experiences that they’ve had. Plus we add in our favourite animal encounters in Australia too!

There’s much more to having fun with Australia’s wildlife than cuddling a koala or feeding a kangaroo.

Take a look at these superb wildlife experiences that take you past zoos and wildlife parks and up shut with some distinctive Australian animals of their pure habitat.

12 Australian Wildlife Experiences

1. Quokkas on Rottnest Island

Dubbed the world’s happiest animal, you solely have to seek for ‘quokka selfie’ to see why. 

With chubby cheeks, darkish eyes and a toothy smile, it’s little marvel they win so many hearts.

Quokkas present no worry of the vacationers who go to them on Rottnest Island. Having a close-up encounter shouldn’t be solely straightforward to realize; it’s tough to keep away from.

What are Quokkas?

Quokkas are a miniature wallaby. Wallabies are just like a kangaroo solely shorter and stockier.

They’re native to Western Australia and Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island is among the few locations you possibly can see wild populations and it’s only a brief ferry trip from Perth. If tremendous cute is how you want your wildlife, ensure Rottnest is in your itinerary.

There’s additionally fantastic marine life across the island together with seasonal sightings of blue and humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins and New Zealand Fur seals.

2. Large Australian Cuttlefish in South Australia

Every winter greater than 100,000 large Australian cuttlefish arrive to breed within the waters close to the South Australian metropolis of Whyalla.

It’s a unprecedented mass migration that you may view by snorkelling or diving.

The cuttlefish are in only some metres of water and may be accessed from shore.

If ever there was a creature that proves cute and furry isn’t every thing, that is it.

With lengthy flaring tentacles, giant clever eyes and their trademark pulsating color modifications, watching the massive males compete for a mate is an interesting sight.

Be ready for chilly water. At 12 to 15 levels Celsius you’ll wish to rent the suitable gear from the native dive store however it’s definitely worth the effort.

Dolphins and seals (however no sharks) are sometimes within the space profiting from the straightforward meal.

Take a look at our expertise swimming with Whyalla’s Cuttlefish

3. Leaping Crocodiles within the Northern Territory

You gained’t be getting within the water for this subsequent journey.

Crocodiles – When you thought they couldn’t be extra horrifying; take a cruise on the Adelaide River within the Northern Territory. You’ll see them leap from the water for meals.

The chomping sound of their huge jaws closing will ship a chill down your backbone.

A crew member, who absolutely isn’t paid sufficient for what they do, holds a pole over the water with a chunk of meat on the top.

Huge saltwater crocodiles swim as much as the boat and launch themselves metres into the air for the meal on a stick.

It’s spectacular sight.  You’ll end up as near feeding crocodiles as you’ll ever wish to be.

4. Platypus recognizing within the Otway Ranges

If leaping prehistoric monsters aren’t your factor, platypus recognizing on Victoria’s Lake Elizabeth is likely to be extra your tempo.

They’re most lively at daybreak and nightfall which is the proper time to expertise the great thing about the place.

Surrounded by a dense forest of eucalypts and tree ferns, the tranquillity of Lake Elizabeth offers it a meditative air.

You possibly can strive recognizing a platypus from the trail that circles the lake. Higher but, go on a canoe tour and be within the excellent place to catch a glimpse of them from the water.

The platypus is so odd the primary specimens had been condemned as a hoax. Lined in fur, it lays eggs, has a duck-bill and is notoriously tough to identify.

They will floor wherever on the lake and don’t keep above water for lengthy. It’s an thrilling recreation of cover and search that may make staying quiet – which is vital once you attempt to see a platypus – fairly difficult.

In case you are fortunate, one will floor close to your canoe. Seeing one within the wild will put you in an unique membership.

5. Australian Fur Seals in Port Philip Bay

After you’ve got noticed a platypus, keep in Victoria and go to the coastal city of Queenscliff to swim with Australian Fur Seals.

This can be a much less delicate expertise than that supplied on Lake Elizabeth.

Described because the Labradors of the ocean for his or her playful personalities, swimming with the seals is about as interactive a wildlife expertise as you’re ever going to have.

The seals love firm and you may count on to be face to facemask with these inquisitive creatures whereas they carry out their aquatic gymnastics round you.

As you snorkel alongside, they swim beneath you, the other way up, apparently ready so that you can take part. It’s a joyful expertise.

Whenever you go away the water, it feels such as you’re leaving a terrific occasion too early.

6. Maria Island Wombats

Not as well-known as koalas and kangaroos, wombats are up there for cuteness with the quokkas.

Maria Island off the east coast of Tasmania is the proper place to see these rotund, sleepy confronted animals.

An in depth relative of koalas, they’re extra at dwelling of their burrow or grazing in open grassland than perched in a tree.

You’ll haven’t any bother discovering them. Actually, they’re so accessible; authorities have launched a wildlife pledge. It reminds guests that the wombats are wild animals and to not pat them.

It’s good recommendation, however it does communicate to how interesting they’re.

In addition to wombats, Maria Island is dwelling to Tasmanian devils, wallabies and kangaroos. It is usually a extremely regarded web site for chicken watchers.

Take a look at our day journey to Maria Island.

7. Far North Queensland Cassowaries

Strictly talking, Cassowaries should not distinctive to Australia. You additionally discover them in New Guinea. Nonetheless, on the lookout for them takes you to tropical Far North Queensland which makes them value discovering.

Not like Australia’s different giant flightless chicken, the emu, cassowaries may be onerous to find.

You’d suppose an animal six ft tall with a blue and purple neck would stand out, however you do should be in the fitting place on the proper time to identify one.

There’s a area in Far North Queensland known as the Cassowary Coast. Not surprisingly, it has a number of Cassowary recognizing hotspots. An excellent place to start out is on the Lacey’s Creek stroll close to Mission Seaside.

The straightforward 30-minute stroll takes you previous crystal clear creeks and thru tropical rainforest.

The world incorporates many crops that cassowaries prefer to eat.

Take your time and stroll quietly. You might need to do an additional lap of the stroll, however at Lacey’s Creek, you’ve got a terrific probability of seeing one in all these lovely birds.

Dave and Deb’s Favorite Australian Wildlife Encounters

8. Kangaroo Island South Australia

Kangaroo within the Wild on Kangaroo Island

A visit to Kangaroo Island is among the greatest wildlife experiences we had in Australia.

Crammed with Kangaroos and Wallabies, we undoubtedly had our fill of getting up shut and private with quite a lot of the endemic mammal species of Australia.

There are lots of locations to see kangaroos within the wild and at sanctuaries.

Kangaroo Island has a couple of protected areas value visiting.

Not solely did we see kangaroos, however there may be additionally the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary that’s nice for catching a superb have a look at Koalas.

Seal Bay has a incredible boardwalk and gives guided excursions to see the endangered Australian sea lions.

9. Nice White Sharks – Port Lincoln

Our Shark Encounter

If you wish to come head to head with Nice White Sharks, Port Lincoln in South Australia gives excursions two hours off the coast to hop within the water within the security of a cage.

Journey Bay Divers is an organization that has gained a number of eco-tourism awards. When diving with Nice Whites right here, they use music to draw the sharks relatively than chumming the water.

It isn’t some type of excessive tech sonar that draws the sharks, it’s truly onerous rock music. When you watch for sharks to return alongside and have a look, you possibly can even play some air guitar underwater!

10. Dingoes – Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, however it is usually probably the greatest locations in Australia to see dingoes within the wild.

Dingoes are wild Australian canine which might be discovered all through mainland Australia however are quickly declining in numbers. They’ve been in Australia for 5000 years, however farmers have been taking pictures them for many years to maintain them from their livestock.

There’s a huge canine fence that stretches 5000 km throughout the continent maintaining wild dingoes from human contact.

To realize an appreciation for them, a go to to Fraser Island is so as.

Not solely is it a tremendous journey to drive on 75-mile Seaside, however to see dingoes hanging out on the shore and inland by the lakes is a as soon as in a lifetime (a minimum of for us) expertise.

11. Koalas – Mikkira Station

This koala seems to be fairly sleepy!

Koalas are thought-about susceptible to extinction, and the fires in New South Wales and Queensland should not serving to these cute creatures.

However at Mikkira Station in South Australia, you possibly can see Koalas slumbering within the security of their eucalyptus timber.

Opposite to in style perception, koalas should not koala bears. They’re a species of marsupial.

Grownup koalas are tiny, rising to lower than three ft and they’re lovable. Koalas may be present in Eucalyptus timber. However you want a eager eye. They barely transfer and mix into their atmosphere.

12. Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby – Wilpena Pound

Situated within the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, it is a 450 km drive from Adelaide.

you possibly can keep proper within the park and tour the outback panorama and the awe-inspiring Wilpena Pound.

Flinders Ranges is 100 million years previous and a tour of the traditional panorama is actually fascinating.

It is usually probably the greatest locations in Australia to spy the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby.

And people are our favorite wildlife experiences in Australia. Australia is full of many unusual and fantastic animals. Whenever you go there, you actually should search them out!

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