Where to see Australia's incredible wildlife

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since the early 80s, the Great Barrier Reef National Park is one of the most wondrous places in the world. This astonishing coral reef system, which is the largest in the world, includes not just at least 300 types of hard coral but also a dizzying array of marine life that is every bit as colourful. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2000 kilometres along the coastline of Queensland, while its total area is unfathomable – approximately 350,000 square kilometres. There are so many fantastic ways to enjoy and experience this natural wonder. Diving is, of course, one of them. Head to the Ningaloo Reef between March and August, and you can find yourself swimming alongside whale sharks – despite their great size, they are harmless. There are also several types of turtles, manta rays, and whales, not to mention all the smaller inhabitants bringing the immense coral reef to life while showcasing their naturally stunning colours and appearance.

A paradise for all nature lovers, Kangaroo Island is known for its prolific wildlife, dramatic coastal landscape, and abundant farmlands. Located 13 kilometres off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is among the best places where you can get a wonderfully unique wildlife experience –animals like koalas, kangaroos, seals, and sea lions all inhabit this beautiful stretch of land. A destination that will leave you mesmerised, Kangaroo Island is a thriving place in all aspects. For close encounters with the wildlife, head to Seal Bay, and you’ll see the jaw-dropping views of the Australian sea lion colony – an experience all visitors must have. Here the animals live freely without any enclosures. To learn more about this epic colony, you can book a guided tour where experienced guides will tell you all about these remarkable animals. Many operators on the island provide sustainable adventures to protect and nurture this fragile environment while also providing unique encounters in the wild. Make sure to enjoy locally sourced food to get a real taste of the island!

When we hear about rainforests, it’s usually about the Amazon Rainforest, but did you know that Australia’s Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest on Earth? It dates back over 180 million years, while the one in Amazon is 65 million years old. Now that’s an unfathomable difference, isn’t it? Now, don’t worry, nobody’s asking you to count the tree rings in this ancient wonderland, but something that will help you grasp the remarkable nature of this place is seeing its flora and fauna tightly packed under the dense tree canopy – many plants and animals only live here, and nowhere else on the planet. The alien-looking cassowaries may be near impossible to spot in the wild, yet this is where these massive rare birds live alongside various marsupials, frogs, and reptiles. There are many options for you to enjoy this awe-inspiring place, located approximately two hours from Cairns. Guided tours with expert guides will help you track the rainforest’s native wildlife, while an exciting mangrove river cruise will let you in on a wholly different perspective. Adventure lovers will jump at the opportunity to try the Jungle Surfing Canopy Tour, which lets you explore the rainforest via various zip lines and eco-friendly tree platforms.

Rottnest Island, just off the coast near Perth in Western Australia, is known for its white sand beaches, beautiful scuba diving spots, and the island’s only land mammal, which is also the main tourist attraction on Rottnest, if you can call it that. You may have seen the adorable quokkas staring at you from your phone screen – this seemingly smiley member of the macropod family has been labelled the happiest animal in the world. And there’s no denying it they are utterly charming and lovable. Just don’t try to feed them under any circumstances! Several thousand quokkas inhabit the island, and visitors can take a free 45-minute Quokka Walk, led by knowledgeable volunteers, to not just learn more about these furry creatures but also see them going about their daily lives munching on grass and leaves, napping in the shade, and, of course, looking adorable in photos.

K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is a paradise-like island off the Eastern coast of the Australian continent. The traditional land of the Butchulla aboriginal people is a world heritage area of immense beauty. The world’s largest sand island is renowned for being the only place known where a rainforest grows on sand. This, of course, also means that there’s not a lack of native wildlife here. In fact, Australia’s famous dingo dog can be spotted here, and due to being the purest strain of dingoes in Australia, they’re protected on the island by law. Remain outside after the sun dips below the horizon, and you may be lucky enough to see a marsupial or two. For marine wildlife, head over to Indian’s Head – manta rays, sharks, and even whales are known to be spotted there. And then there’s the lace monitor – an epic striped lizard that often takes advantage of touristy picnic areas. Fraser Island offers an abundance of activities for wildlife enthusiasts – go camping or enjoy one of the many walking tracks to get a real feel for the island.

Head into the wild – Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain National Park awaits to greet you with awe-inspiring natural beauty and the famous Tasmanian devil. Contrasting and dramatic landscapes define the island in Australia’s southern part. From glacial lakes and alpine peaks to ancient rainforests and epic river gorges, there’s more than meets the eye. Here you’ll have the opportunity to encounter the famous Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypuses, echidnas, wombats, and the curious black currawong. Bring your hiking boots to explore the various trails and tracks that promise to reveal unexpected discoveries. The Overland Track, which is a 65-kilometre six-day adventure through the rainforest and along glacial lakes, is an absolute must for fit travellers, who love exploring on foot – this epic journey will take you to the highest point on the island, Mount Ossa.

Just when you think that the Australian landscape couldn’t get any more epic, there’s yet another natural wonder around the corner – this time it’s the Kakadu National Park. One of the largest national parks on the continent, this place is known for its biodiversity and beautiful landscape encompassing wetlands, rivers, and sandstone escarpments. A place of history, this Northern Territory reserve features prehistoric aboriginal paintings in places like Nourlangie, Nanguluwur and Ubirr. Its wildlife is as bountiful as anywhere else in Australia, and Kakadu is known for its saltwater crocodiles and flatback turtles, not to mention the immense bird population. In fact, some of the most iconic natural formations here are the work of small creatures that you probably wouldn’t even notice with the naked eye. Huge pointed mounds towering up to six metres are the creations of busy little termites that create these structures from mud and termite saliva. These formations are extremely solid lasting up to sixty years. Inside each mound, there’s a network of tunnels home to millions of these small, hardworking insects. Notably, Kakadu has six seasons defined by subtle changes in weather that affect flora and fauna here.