Australian Wildlife & Nature
From kangaroos and koalas to coral reefs and migrating whales — where to find Australia’s extraordinary wildlife, and how to see it responsibly.
Where to See Australia’s Wildlife
Few places on earth have wildlife quite like Australia’s. Isolated from other continents for millions of years, the island continent evolved its own cast of creatures — pouched marsupials, egg-laying mammals, brilliant parrots and ancient reptiles — alongside coral reefs, some of the oldest rainforests on the planet and vast World Heritage wilderness. This is your national overview of what to see, where to find it, and when.
Wildlife watching here is wonderfully accessible — from a koala dozing above a coastal walking track to a whale breaching off a city headland — but it rewards good timing and good manners. Many animals are most active at dawn and dusk or after dark, the tropical north is at its best in the dry season, whale season runs through the cooler months, and Western Australia’s wildflowers bloom in spring. Above all, the golden rule is to watch without disturbing: observe from a distance, never feed wild animals, and choose ethical operators who respect the animals and their Country.
The rule that matters most: watch without disturbing — observe from a distance, never feed, and let wild animals stay wild.
Australia’s Iconic Animals
Kangaroos & Wallabies
Australia’s national icon, from big red and grey kangaroos to nimble rock-wallabies. Most active at dawn and dusk across bush and grassland.
Koalas
Sleepy eucalypt-dwellers of the eastern and southern forests. Look up into the canopy in tree-lined reserves and coastal woodlands.
Platypus & Echidna
The platypus and echidna are egg-laying mammals found nowhere else — the shy platypus haunts quiet creeks and pools at dawn and dusk.
Wombats & Dingoes
Burrowing wombats graze at dusk in cooler country, while dingoes range across the outback and northern woodlands.
Tasmanian Devils
The world’s largest carnivorous marsupial survives in the wild in Tasmania and is best seen at wildlife sanctuaries and after dark.
Quokkas
The famously photogenic quokka thrives on Rottnest Island off Perth — enjoy them without touching or feeding.
Cockatoos, Kookaburras & Cassowaries
From laughing kookaburras and raucous cockatoos to rainbow lorikeets and the towering cassowary of far-north Queensland.
Crocodiles & Goannas
Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles rule the tropical north — always be crocodile-wise — while goannas bask across the bush.
Reefs, Whales & Marine Life
The Great Barrier Reef
The world’s largest coral reef system stretches along the Queensland coast — snorkel or dive among coral gardens, reef fish and turtles.
Whale Sharks at Ningaloo
On Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia you can swim beside gentle whale sharks, roughly March to July or August.
The Whale Migration
Humpback and southern right whales pass both coasts on their migration, roughly May or June to November — watch from headlands or on a cruise.
Little Penguins
Little penguins waddle ashore at dusk on Phillip Island — one of many places to also spot dolphins, dugongs, seals and nesting sea turtles.
Timing the Highlights
| Wildlife highlight | Best window | Where & how |
|---|---|---|
| Whale migration (humpback & southern right) | May/Jun–Nov | East & west coasts, from headlands or by boat |
| Swimming with whale sharks | Mar–Jul/Aug | Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia |
| Great Barrier Reef (clearest water) | Jun–Oct | Queensland — the dry season brings calmer, clearer seas |
| Western Australia wildflowers | Spring (Aug–Nov) | The south-west — carpets of blooms after winter rain |
| Kangaroos, wombats & nocturnal animals | Year-round (dawn & dusk) | Bush, grassland and reserves nationwide |
| Sea-turtle nesting & hatching | Summer (Nov–Mar) | Warm northern beaches, on ranger-guided tours |
Timing is everything with wildlife, and it changes across the country — plan around it with our best time to visit Australia guide, and read up on staying safe around crocodiles, marine stingers and the sun before you go.
World Heritage & Ancient Landscapes
Uluru-Kata Tjuta
A profoundly sacred place for the Anangu people — visit with respect; the climb has been permanently closed since 2019.
Kakadu
Vast wetlands, escarpment and ancient rock art — a stronghold for crocodiles, birdlife and living Aboriginal culture.
The Daintree
Among the oldest tropical rainforests on earth, where World Heritage forest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Tasmanian Wilderness
One of the last great temperate wilderness areas — wild rivers, ancient forests and rugged peaks.
Gondwana Rainforests
Living remnants of the ancient Gondwana forests, a window into landscapes millions of years old.
Ningaloo Coast
A World Heritage fringing reef where the desert meets the sea, famed for whale sharks, manta rays and turtles.
Responsible Wildlife Viewing
- Observe from a distance and stay quiet — let animals set the pace and never chase or crowd them
- Never feed wild animals; human food harms their health and changes natural behaviour
- Choose ethical, accredited operators and keep to marked tracks and boardwalks
- Give whales, dolphins and dugongs plenty of space on the water — a good skipper keeps to the rules
- Be crocodile-wise and stinger-aware in the north — see staying safe in Australia
- Leave no trace, take your rubbish, and respect Country and the Traditional Owners of the places you visit
Next Steps
Best Time to Visit Australia
Match wildlife seasons to the weather, region by region.
When to go → GuideAustralia’s Regions Explained
Which state to visit for the wildlife you want to see.
Regions → GuideIconic Australian Experiences
The bucket-list moments, from reef to Red Centre.
Icons → ToursAustralian Tours
Enquire about wildlife-focused, small-group journeys.
Explore tours → BlogResponsible Travel in Australia
Ethical wildlife, reef and cultural best practice.
Read the blog →Wildlife & Nature — FAQ
Where can I see wildlife in Australia?
You can see wildlife right across the country — kangaroos, wombats and koalas in the bush and reserves of the south and east, saltwater crocodiles and cassowaries in the tropical north, quokkas on Rottnest Island off Perth, Tasmanian devils in Tasmania, and the coral life of the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef offshore. Our regions guide shows which state suits the wildlife you most want to see.
What animals is Australia famous for?
Australia is best known for its marsupials and monotremes — kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and wombats, plus the egg-laying platypus and echidna, which live nowhere else on earth. Add dingoes, Tasmanian devils, quokkas, colourful parrots and cockatoos, crocodiles and goannas, and the marine life of the reef, and you have some of the most distinctive wildlife in the world.
When is whale season in Australia?
Humpback and southern right whales migrate along both the east and west coasts in the cooler months, roughly May or June to November, with sightings from many coastal headlands and on whale-watching cruises. Plan around the seasons with our best time to visit Australia guide.
Where can I swim with whale sharks?
Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is the classic place to swim with whale sharks, roughly March to July or August, when these gentle giants gather along the reef. Tours are seasonal and weather-dependent, so check current details at the time of travel.
How do I view wildlife responsibly?
Keep your distance and stay quiet, never feed wild animals, and choose ethical, accredited operators. Keep to marked tracks and boardwalks, take your rubbish with you, and respect Country and its Traditional Owners. In the tropical north, be crocodile-wise and stinger-aware — see staying safe in Australia.
Australia, Planned Around You
The reef and the rainforest, the Red Centre, the wine regions and the great coastal cities — with the flights, driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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