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No different nation gives up the distinctively quirky array of wildlife in Australia. There are tons of native animals in Australia, and plenty of of those animals are present in Australia alone.
A visit Down Beneath gives your solely likelihood to see these uncommon Australian animals within the wild, so these distinctive animal experiences are probably a once-in-a-lifetime factor.
Australian wildlife is thus far faraway from the fauna you’ll discover elsewhere on the earth as a result of they’ve advanced otherwise than animals from different locations.
Aussie animals are additionally various as a result of the continent is dwelling to so many alternative habitats, together with huge deserts, the world’s oldest rainforest, and the world’s largest coral reef.
Wild Australian animals vary from cute and cuddly (see: Koalas, Quokkas, and Wombats), to downright terrifying (see: Saltwater Crocodiles and Tasmanian Devils), to simply plain bizarre (see: the Platypus).
Learn on for our information to 10 Bucket Record Australian Wildlife Encounters, with assist from Australia Wildlife Journeys, which gives eco-friendly massive animal encounters, unique animal encounters, and different possibilities to see wildlife in Australia.
Australian Wildlife Encounters Information
- Koalas (Raymond Island)
- Echidna (Kangaroo Island)
- Humpback Whales (Hervey Bay)
- Crocodiles (Kakadu)
- Platypus (Far North Queensland)
- Sea Lions (Eyre Peninsula)
- Whale Sharks (Ningaloo)
- Pink Kangaroos (Murray River)
- Wombats (Maria Island)
- Pink Crabs (Christmas Island)
1. Koalas throughout Raymond Island
Of all of the animals native to Australia, none look extra cuddly than the Koala, which is so distinctive that it has its family and genus.
Koalas are present in Southeastern Australia, the place they stay in tall eucalyptus forests, in addition to in river valleys and inland woodlands.
In hotter areas Koalas are mild grey, with shorter hair and longer ears. In cooler climates they’re a darker, brownish shade, with longer fur and shorter ears.
Koalas are just a little over two ft tall and weigh 10-15 kilos. They feed on eucalyptus leaves, however solely round 35 of the 600 eucalyptus species Australia has to supply.
Echidna Walkabout Nature Excursions gives the East Gippsland Wildlife Journey, a 4-day, 3-night tour throughout coastal heathlands, into dense rainforests, and thru big eucalyptus groves.
Along with Koalas, adventurers can look out for Wallabies, Echidnas, Kangaroos, Monitor Lizards, and tons of birds.
In addition they provide a 3-day/2-night Non-public Nice Ocean Street tour that explores Serendip Nationwide Park and You Yangs Nationwide Park searching for Aussie animals, together with a canoe journey searching for the Platypus.
2. Be taught the Mysteries of the Echidna on Kangaroo Island
The Echidna is a monotreme mammal, which implies it lays eggs and lacks teats. Apart from the Duck-billed Platypus, Echidnas make up the remaining six species of monotremes.
The Quick-beaked Echidna is the one mammal discovered all throughout the Australian continent. It is ready to adapt to snow at altitude, and sweltering warmth within the desert.
Echidnas have sharp spines like a porcupine, and lengthy darting tongues excellent for slurping up ants and termites.
Echidnas are between 18 and 34 inches lengthy and weigh as much as 22 kilos. Although spiky, they’re a must-see on the record of extremely cute Australian wild animal encounters.
Distinctive Kangaroo Island has a two-day, one-night Kangaroo Island in Fashion journey that enables friends to discover Kangaroo Island with award-winning guides Craig and Janet Wickham.
Vacationers will go to totally different island ecosystems and have an opportunity to identify animals like Echidnas, Koalas, Kangaroos, Cockatoos, Goannas, Sea Lions, and Fur Seals.
3. Listening to Humpback Whales in Hervey Bay
Whereas Humpback Whales will be discovered in lots of locations around the globe, in our expertise crossing paths with one ranks among the many most awe-inspiring animal encounters.
In our eyes, Whales basically simply appear historic and otherworldly.
Humpback Whales are well-known for his or her enchanting songs, that are one of many extra complicated technique of communication within the animal kingdom. The lengthy ballads are crammed with a powerful array of moans, grunts, grumbles, and groans.
Pacific Whale Foundations Eco-Adventures Australia has unbelievable 3-hour excursions within the Nice Sandy Marine Park of Hervey Bay, the world’s first Whale Heritage Web site. Between July and October, the bay attracts hundreds of whales.
The Final Hervey Bay Whale Watching tour is ideal for seeing a number of the most energetic Humpbacks, with breaches and whale songs to wow guests. All proceeds help whale analysis, schooling, and conservation packages.
4. Saltwater Crocodiles throughout Kakadu
Australia is stuffed with terrifying animals, however Saltwater Crocodiles may take the crown. They’re the biggest of all residing reptiles, and might high 20 ft and 3000 kilos.
Not like different crocodiles, “salties” have broader noses and thicker our bodies, and on account of their dimension they turn out to be very evident within the dry season, when our bodies of water get steadily smaller.
They typically laze round within the solar a lot of the day, searching at evening, they usually’re infamous for stalking the banks and ambush-attacking prey.
Saltwater Crocs can swim almost 20 mph and are identified to enter the open sea, utilizing tides to journey lengthy distances.
Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris has a 6-day, 5-night tour for Crocodile-spotting from April by October.
Their Final Luxurious Safari Journey includes a visit to Fogg Dam, the Yellow Water Cruise, and airboats on Mary River Catchment. Individuals may even see Crocs, Wallabies, Wallaroos, Goannas, water birds, and rather more.
5. Recognizing the Elusive Platypus in Far North Queensland
Endemic to Jap Australia, the Duck-billed Platypus is within the operating for the world’s weirdest animal.
With a beaver-like tail, a duck-like invoice, flippers on its ft, and brown fur, it seems like an odd creation from a younger youngster’s inventive creativeness.
However the Platypus may be very actual, and Australia is the one place you possibly can see them within the wild. In actual fact, they’re thought of widespread in Far North Queensland, thanks partly to a fast breeding cycle.
Platypuses have electroreceptors to assist them discover meals in murky waters. They primarily feed on mollusks and crustaceans in water, however in addition they eat bugs like dragonflies and water beetles on the floor.
FNQ Nature Excursions gives a Tablelands & Crater Lakes day tour. It contains plenty of birdwatching within the rainforests of the Tablelands, in addition to the prospect to see Tree Kangaroos, Water Dragons, and Platypuses on Lake Barrine.
6. Swimming with Sea Lions within the Eyre Peninsula
Australia is crammed with distinctive land animals, however it additionally has an infinite shoreline. Australian Sea Lions are the one endemic pinniped on the continent.
The Australia Sea Lion is endangered and sparsely distributed from Western Australia to South-Central Australia. Practically half the inhabitants is present in three spots– Kangaroo Island, The Pages, and Harmful Reef.
They’re terribly agile and playful underneath the water. And whereas they’re also known as “pet canine of the ocean,” males can weigh over 600 kilos and develop to be about 8 ft lengthy!
Australian Coastal Safaris gives a 3-day, 3-night journey (Eyre Peninsula Wildlife & Ocean Encounters) to each terrestrial and marine protected areas, together with Lincoln and Coffin Bay Nationwide Parks.
Along with Australian Sea Lions, the tour additionally gives a very good likelihood to see Bottlenose Dolphins, Emus, Koalas, Kangaroos, and Goannas.
This journey can be prolonged for an additional day to incorporate a cage dive (or underwater viewing pod) for recognizing Nice White Sharks close to the Neptune Islands.
7. Swimming with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo
Discovered all through the world, Whale Sharks are the biggest fish, measuring as much as 40 ft lengthy and weighing about 15 tons.
So in the event that they’re round, they’re fairly onerous to overlook!
Australia has a number of the greatest coastlines for seeing (and swimming with) huge Whale Sharks within the wild. As with many species of Whales, these mild giants feed totally on plankton.
Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo gives full-day excursions from the start of March to the top of August.
Apart from swimming with the world’s greatest fish, The Deluxe Whale Shark Swim options instructional talks from consultants and a very good likelihood of being entertained by Dolphins.
8. Monitoring Pink Kangaroos on the Murray River
The macropod household of marsupials contains Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wallaroos, Quokkas, and Pademelons.
The biggest of those is the Pink Kangaroo: Males can develop as much as 6 ft tall and almost 200 kilos.
They’re discovered all through a lot of mainland Australia, particularly in arid areas. They’ve advanced to have superior water conservation capabilities, and might transfer at speeds surpassing 35 miles per hour!
Though they stay in small teams, Pink Kangaroos are identified to congregate in giant numbers the place meals is plentiful.
Murray River Trails gives a 3-day Murray River Safari every year within the spring and fall seasons. This tour options guided walks, canoeing, and outback drives, with Koalas, Kangaroos, and tons of native birds on the itinerary.
9. Strolling with Wombats on Maria Island
The Wombat is one other Australian marsupial with a small habitat vary that features the southeastern coast of the mainland and all of Tasmania.
Wombats are stout, ground-dwelling creatures that may weigh as much as 60 kilos and dig down to six ft underground. Their tunnels are identified to stretch as much as about 100 ft lengthy.
Wombats are nocturnal herbivores. They produce only one offspring per yr within the Australian spring/summer time, and the mom carries the joey in her pouch.
For Australian guests hoping to have a Wombat encounter, The Maria Island Stroll (in Maria Island Nationwide Park, off the japanese coast of Tasmania) gives a very good likelihood.
The tour is operated by Ian and Bronwyn Johnstone, who’ve geared it to be a “delicate journey expertise,” with good meals, tremendous Tasmania wine, and pleasant guides.
10. Witnessing Droves of Pink Crabs on Christmas Island
Christmas Island is thought for its Pink Crabs, as a result of they migrate there in droves. Estimates put the exceptional quantity at someplace round 120 million crabs!
In November and December of every yr, Christmas Island is principally utterly carpeted in crustaceans.
It will get so loopy that the workers of Christmas Island Nationwide Park has to close down roads and put up limitations as a way to defend them.
Indian Ocean Experiences hosts an 8-day, 7-night tour referred to as Christmas Island Final Wildlife.
Apart from the crabs, the island is dwelling to superb rainforests, coral seashores, rugged cliffs, and stellar reefs. Animals, particularly birds, are primarily in all places. –by Jonathon Engels
