I've always been obsessed with wildlife, you won't be surprised to hear that David Attenborough is a huge inspiration to me and part of the reason why I beloved to travel so much; I mean, have you lot seen some of the places he'southward been to??

The ii years nosotros spent travelling Australia have given u.s. the opportunity to see some pretty amazing animals up shut and while my goal would be to see every.unmarried.animal in the wild, I thought I'd put together a quick rundown of our Australian wild fauna bucket list.

This volition human activity as a guide on the best places to run into wildlife in Australia, so hopefully, you can come across some of them for yourself too. Our Australian wildlife checklist features animals you can just see in Australia, animals we've already seen and so many more. We'll as well include animal guides to help you rails them down in the wild as well!!

The best places to see wild animals in Australia;

Kangaroo

When you come to Australia you are pretty much guaranteed to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

They're an Australian icon and very widespread. What surprised me the most is just how big they are! They're not scared either. If you ever find yourself driving in Commonwealth of australia, avoid sunset and dawn equally that'southward when they're most active and they're not agape of jumping out in forepart of yous!

We were lucky enough to have this mob grazing on our garden whilst we were living on the farm, there was about 15 of them in full, including baby Joey's sticking out of their mum's pouch!! They were then relaxed I'1000 convinced I could have gone and sat amongst them.

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Desire to see Kangaroos in the wild for yourself?

You won't have to drive far, once you lot get out of any metropolis limit yous'll shortly spot them in the fields.

Jervis Bay is a great spot to run across them up close in the wild and of class, Kangaroo Isle likewise, or there are enough of sanctuaries beyond the country that allow y'all to feed them; although that's not quite the same every bit seeing them roaming gratis. Our favourite encounter was at Trial Bay Gaol, where they're roaming around the abandoned jail cells!

Platypus

Non one we've seen still but We finally managed to spot some in Queensland! I didn't realise they can be found all over Australia then whether yous're staying in the s, or road tripping like us, there'southward sure to be a spot nearby where you can see a platypus in the wild.

These are some of the best places to see Platypus in the wild; Bombala Platypus reserve, but across the Victoria border, in NSW, is ideal for spotting these unique mythical looking mammals. Or you can or you can try your look in the Blue Mountains, NSW or even at the Otways on the Great Ocean Road, VIC.

Wombat

Who'd accept thought we'd be in Australia a whole year and not see a single wombat. Nosotros're back to camping ground soon so hopefully, we'll come beyond these elusive creatures and then.

UPDATE: Nosotros DID encounter a wombat while we were camping and it was A.MAZING. I could have sat and watched the petty fella all day!! Photo coming soon

They're mainly establish in the Southward Due east and although nosotros didn't come across any on our day trip, Wilsons Promontory is a really adept spot for finding wild Wombats! Let us know if you observe any!!

Koala

Another Aussie icon only one that isn't every bit common as yous'd expect. Although in some areas you can still be lucky enough to run across them frequently, their numbers are falling fast and you have to be looking for them in order to run into them. We expected to come across them in every tree while driving the rural roads simply unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

We did see plenty of Koala whilst driving The Keen Sea Route though. Victoria is the only state in Commonwealth of australia who'south Koala population isn't affected past the Chlamydia disease, which means their numbers are fairly steady (although still not as high as they used to exist, due to deforestation and motorcar accidents) and the animals are able to grow much bigger.

The best identify for an almost guaranteed close upwardly sighting is Kenneth River, try to get there early/late in the day to avoid any crowds. Nosotros also spotted them in the trees from a distance in The Grampians and by towards The Otways. We were also able to come across them at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, a really important identify that works hard to get injured and poorly Koala rehabilitated and dorsum into the wild.

wildlife spotting in australia

Koala spotting tiptop tip; Look in the large '5's of the branches and watch out for poop around the tree base… all big giveaways that a Koala is nearby. They slumber oft and movement very little.

Again some sanctuaries and zoos volition allow you to hold the Koala just I believe some states are starting to ban this as it's besides stressful for the animal. Exercise your inquiry on the place start and decided whether they accept the animals best interests in mind, or if they simply desire your dollar.

Great White Shark

These are in the news and then often in Australia and I recall they get more stick than they deserve. While they're nonbutfound in Australia, I thought they were worth mentioning.

However scary they are, we have to remember that they don't seek united states out to kill usa. And so if yous want t get closer to these misunderstood 'monsters', head to Due south Australia where heaps of ethical muzzle diving tours operate. Nosotros didn't realise while we were there that SA is the only identify in Australia you lot could do this kind of feel, so don't brand the aforementioned fault as united states of america! Nosotros're going to try and head back in the next year.

Emu

It wasn't until I saw i in the wild, that I realised how cute they are! Whilst working on an almond farm I was lucky enough to be greeted by a family unit of Emu every morning as the sun came upwards. They're very hands startled but watching them move amongst the trees was something else.

If you want to see wild Emu in Australia, caput to rural Victoria. They're arable here, thriving off of the fruit farms and dry weather. Coorong National Park in SA is a great spot to encounter them too.

The all-time places to run into wildlife in Australia;

Whale Shark

Western Australia is famous for its ethical snorkelling experiences. When we look for tours like this it's so important that the company practice their best not to disrupt the natural way of life for the animals involved. This means; no touching, no luring and certainly no bating (using nutrient to bring them closer).

Nosotros could have had this experience whilst in Indonesia for a lot cheaper just nearly of the tours we saw either fed the whales to go along them shut to boats, or allowed tourists to touch them. We'd much rather wait, pay a little bit more than and know that we're not supporting an unethical company.

Hopefully, nosotros'll become over to WA within the side by side year and encounter Whale Sharks in the wild off the declension of Australia!

Wedge Tail Hawkeye

Until you've seen one swoop downward in front of your van and try to (almost successfully) wing away with a expressionless kangaroo, y'all won't comprehend how big they are. We saw 4 of these huge birds whilst in the Grampians and so if y'all desire to indulge in a bit of camping ground and big bird watching, nosotros highly suggest heading here. The Wedge Tail Eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia and with a wingspan that tin achieve 9ft they truly are incredible.

The Great Ocean Road

Crocodiles

Now, these actually do scare me. They've been effectually for and so long, practically unchanged and they can take downward almost annihilation they wish. Nonetheless, I even so wanted to see them in the wild.

Yes, I'm probably crazy merely let'south blame Sir David ok?… We were lucky enough to get to come across them in the wild (without paying for a tour) in Far North Queensland.

Once you head into Far Due north Queensland and the Northern Territory, it's safe to assume thatevery. unmarried. waterwayhas crocs in. Our absolute favourite identify to come across them is the Eubenangee Swamp, just n of Innisfail. Here you can stand on top of a hill and expect out over a swamp that is teaming with croc life.

Echidna

The illusive Echidna is one of Australia most abundant native species, yet information technology is very rarely spotted. They tin be found all over the country and seem to take no preferred type of terrain, which is probably what makes them and then hard to find.

Whilst we were in SA, cooped up in the van waiting for a storm to pass, we were lucky enough to come across one of these secretive mammals scurry beyond the road right adjacent to us. So just recently we saw one whilst walking in the Sydney Royal National Park, he wasn't bothered by us then I finally managed to snap a picture!

Eastern Dark-brown Snake

I bet your pare shivers when you lot hear that proper name doesn't it? Mine does! And then you lot can imagine my reaction when Dec came home from piece of work telling me he'd seen on the farm. As the weather warms up, these snakes get more common, especially in the Eastern and Central Australia.

They're often plant on farmlands and on the outskirts of urban areas where they can banquet on mice and other small mammals.

They are one of Australia's most venomous snakes so it's recommended you don't actively seek these for yourself. If yous do come across them though, go out them alone and they'll before long be slithering on their way. They're active throughout the mean solar day only when the sun is at information technology'due south hottest they'll seek shade to cool off.

Sugar gliders

I used to be fascinated by sugar gliders, and one time I realised they had them here in Aus they were added straight to me 'to encounter' list. These furry little things hide loftier in the tree and are nocturnal. They tin be constitute in Sydney'due south Majestic National Park evidently… and then guess where I'g heading when nosotros're side by side there!

The best places to see wildlife in Australia;

Australian monitor cadger / the Goanna

Accept y'all seen the rescuers down nether? If you lot take, you'll recognise this sly lizard. Growing up to 2 meters, it isn't a cadger other animals want to mess with. Their home is restricted to Australia'due south eastward, being spotted almost Melbourne and upward to Cape York.

We spotted our showtime Australian monitor lizard as information technology scaled a eucalyptus tree, heading for a birds nest. It was put off past the parent's swoop bombing it, aiming for its optics and unfortunately, I think they lost the boxing. If you want to run across 1 for yourself, continue your optics in the trees as that's where they commonly hang out although they are bully burrowers also and can run fast.

Possum

Ok, so I all the same cringe when I think of this.

Remember when I said I thought nosotros'd see Koala all the time?

Well, when we outset saw a possum up in the tree… I actually thought it was a koala. When you look at the picture, I promise you can come across where I was mistaken haha, I soon realised though and my excitement didn't fade. As much as they're a 'nuisance' to a lot of rural areas, I however think they're super cute.

The best places to see Australian wildlife

You tin can find possums anywhere and everywhere, cities, towns, beaches.. anywhere. They'll mostly be out at dark but you'll still exist able to see them sleeping in the trees and bushes in the day time.

Cassowary

These Dino-birds tin be establish in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory in the tropical rainforests. They're magnificent birds but very territorial then never arroyo them if you do come beyond them in the wild.

If y'all want to find Cassowary in their natural environment, the best places to find them are Daintree rainforest and Edmund Kennedy National Park, both in Queensland.

Update: Nosotros managed to detect them at Etty Bay in lower Far N Queensland (but past Innisfail) after locals told us they like to hang out on the beaches there. Numbers are increasing along what information technology known as 'the cassowary coast' so anywhere from Tully correct upwards to the Daintree you're likely to see them!!

Cockatoo

You don't have to arrive to see these clever birds. We've seen them in Melbourne, on The Great Ocean Route, in Sydney and there are heaps in rural New South Wales. They might not be annihilation special for people in tropical climates only coming from England, seeing these parrots in the wild was a bang-up experience for u.s.a..

Other types of unique bird y'all can notice throughout Australia include:

  • The White Ibis (Aka, the bin chicken)
  • The Gala (The pretty pink parrot in my characteristic paradigm)
  • Australian magpie
  • Kookaburra
  • King Parrots

And sooooo many more!!

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whales pass the Australian coast every year for their migration from the Antarctic. Yous can run across them between June and Nov most anywhere along the due east coast every bit they make their way North. Sydney Royal National park offers a smashing lookout betoken to spot them for yourself! We've been lucky enough to see them a lot while travelling the East Coast. Fraser Island is another favourite whale spotting location of ours

Read about our day whale spotting in Sydney here!

Southern Right Whale

This was a completely unexpected encounter for u.s.a.. Driving along the Great Ocean Route, nosotros spotted signs for Logans Beach Whale Nursery in Warrnambool… this manifestly sparked our involvement. v Minutes afterwards we were stood on a embankment, looking at 3 adult Whales with two calves… It was a moment I volition never forget.

This is a brusk video from our fourth dimension seeing Southern Rights in New Zealand too!

Logans Embankment gets its proper name from the migration path of the Southern Right Whales. Every year betwixt June and September, these Whales come up to the beach cove to nurse their calves. Therefore, these whale sightings are complete, 100% wild only too fairly unpredictable. This facebook page will keep you up to engagement on all whale sightings along the Keen Body of water Road if you want to try and predict where they'll exist.

Read more than about our wild animals adventures along the Groovy Ocean Routehere.

Dingo

Ahh, Commonwealth of australia'south wild dogs. The reasons for the world'south longest fence, and 1 you definitely wouldn't want to fuss. Dingoes tin be found all across Australia away from cities and busy urban areas. They're likewise not always orange! All blackness or all white Dingoes can be found in the forest and rainforest areas of the land. The most famous place to spot them is Fraser Island, just off the coast of Queensland. However, they tin too be seen in the red centre; Uluru and Alice Springs.

Gray-headed flying pull a fast one on

If you're heading for the due east coast, be prepared for the skies to fill with huge singing bats once the sunday starts to fix. At dusk, you'll be able to see these beautiful (and loud!) bats heading out for their evening adventures.

Our favourite place to watch them was Green Square Park in Sydney, as they hung out in the copse at that place in big groups, non disturbed past the people around them. They have been spotted all across the due east declension though, from Melbourne correct upward to Bundaberg in Queensland and with a wingspan of up to 1m, they're hard to miss!

Dolphin

Anybody loves dolphins and they can be seen all along the NSW coastlines along with an array of whales.

However, if you want to meet a truly unique pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, caput to Port Adelaide and try and become a glimpse of the Port River Dolphin Pod. Nosotros were in Adelaide for a very short visit but I'm well-nigh certain I managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of them 1 night. You can read more about the port river dolphins, and why they're special here

Don't have fourth dimension to head to Adelaide? Sydney NSW, Hervey Bay QSL and Bruny Island TAS are just a few other spots that are often abode to these cute water babies.

Tree Kangaroo

This Kangaroo is like something out of a mythical story, looking like a small Kangaroo crossed with maybe a Cat, I didn't believe it was real when I first read about it. And then now I'm on a mission to find ane for myself. Located in the Daintree Rainforest the tropics of Queensland, equally far down as the Atherton Tablelands, they're believed to be incredibly hard to run into merely I'm willing to attempt my luck!

Pelican

These are another birth whose size I underestimated. They're so big, yet they fly then gracefully. If you're looking to see Pelican in the wild, you won't have to look far in Southward Australia. Adelaide'due south waterways are home to many, none of which are shy.

This big guy was stood on somebody's h2o porch (if that'southward even what they're called??? haha) watching a nearby fisherman, no uncertainty planning a raid on his take hold of handbasket.

South Australia

Seeing Pelicans in the wild hither in Australia won't exist hard. Whilst they don't tend to stick to busy waters, you'll certainly find them on calm floodways and lakes; or at harbours where there are enough of fishermen/fish!

Blue tongue skink

If you're creeped out by scaly things, you won't be too addicted of the Bluetongue skink. I, nevertheless, barbarous in love with them when I starting time saw them on a farm in Victoria. They're peachy for farmers as they eat the insects the would usually destroy the crops so it's apparently expert luck to run across them around.

They're widespread across the south-e of Australia in more than rural areas, and then you're more likely to see them while camping or hiking than you are in your dorsum garden. They're not shy and will sit quietly watching you, while yous sentry information technology.

Huntsman Spider

I had to include this giant, so I apologise if you lot take a phobia, I won't include a photo, don't worry.

Like many, I had heard many horror stories most these 8 legged giants and expected to accept one in our room inside the get-go week. I was constantly keeping a lookout and checking the corners of rooms.

It was actually four months before I saw my starting time ane, even and then it was simply tiny; no bigger than your average house spider in England. That's non to say that was the simply 1 we've seen though, every bit our last encounter still gives me the chills; we had one JUMP onto our car, presumably from a tree, and climb in through the window while we were driving.

Which is fine, what wasn't was how big information technology was!! This beast was the size of Dec's hand! We soon had him evicted but it definitely fabricated information technology hard to sleep in the van for a few nights afterwards!

If you are scared of spiders and are worried about coming to Commonwealth of australia because of them, don't exist. We've been hither a whole year now and have simply seen a few Huntsman and fifty-fifty less red backs; peculiarly in the cities. They apparently get a lot more common in more tropical weather, so nosotros'll soon observe out I guess once we hit Queensland.

I had to stop there, or this list of Australian wildlife would go on forever.

These are some of my favourites, for all kinds of reasons. I might add to it, if I come up beyond anything particularly unusual equally Australia has and so many more than animals than what'due south listed hither. I hope you found this guide on where to detect Australia's wildlife useful, or at least interesting!

Have y'all seen any of these in the wild? Which would you really like to meet? We'd dearest to hear from you!!

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We're Dec + Leah! Welcome to our little slice of the inter-spider web where we'll bring y'all stories straight from the road, plenty of wild animals photography and maybe even a little rant or two.
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