Australia's Top Wildlife Experiences

From bright city lights and white sandy beaches to magnificent wonders and indigenous heritage, Australia offers an endless array of experiences and sites for every kind of traveller. But for wildlife lovers in particular, there are few destinations quite as captivating.

Home to over 1 million different species of plants and animals — more than 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth — Australia is a living showcase of biodiversity.

Read on for our guide to Australia's top wildlife experiences:

Western Australia

Just off the coast of Exmouth and Coral Bay is the marine wonderland and World Heritage-listed, Ningaloo Reef. If you’re travelling between the months of March to August, this incredible reef becomes home to over 500 species of fish, including turtles, manta rays, humpback whales and the largest fish on the planet - the magnificent whale shark. Swimming with these gentle, slow-moving giants is sure to be one for the bucket list.

Our top accommodation pick: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Our unmissable experience: Swim with Whale Sharks

A whale shark at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Only a short ferry ride away from Perth is the pocket of paradise Rottnest Island, home to the adorable Quokka. These small, smiley marsupials are endemic to Western Australia and with no natural predators, they are often spotted hopping through the bushes or lounging in the shade. If you want to get up close to these pint-sized marsupials, you can either stay overnight on Rottnest Island or enjoy a day trip from Perth.

Our top accommodation pick: Discovery Resorts Rottnest Island

Our unmissable experience: Rottnest Island Discovery

A quokka on Rottnest Island in Western Australia

Northern Territory

Not only is the Northern Territory famous for the outback, it is also home to one of the largest national parks and wetlands in Australia. Kakadu National Park is an incredibly biodiverse nature reserve that encompasses cascading waterfalls, aboriginal rock art and wonderful wildlife. Go in search for over 60 species of mammals and 117 species of reptiles including the largest of the lot, the saltwater crocodile.

Our top accommodation pick: Cooinda Lodge Kakadu

Our unmissable experience: Yellow Water Billabong Cruise

A crocodile swimming at Kakadu National Park, Australia

For those looking to do a safari style experience in Australia, look no further than Bamurru Plains. These extraordinary coastal floodplains are a 3 hour drive from Darwin and offer incredible wildlife viewing from the comfort of an open top vehicle, air boat or with a guide on foot. The area is renowned for its highly dense population of birdlife and buffaloes with the annual migration of over one hundred thousand magpie geese being a must see.

Our top accommodation pick: Bamurru Plains, Mary River Floodplains

Our unmissable experience: Mary River Wetlands Cruise

Queensland

Would a trip to Australia truly be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef? The largest coral reef system in the world and a site of remarkable beauty which attracts over 1,500 species of fish and 6 out of the 7 marine turtle species worldwide.

Our top accommodation pick: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Our unmissable experience: Great Barrier Reef Adventure

A turtle swimming on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Only a 90 minute drive from Brisbane lies one of only two everglades systems on Earth, the Noosa Everglades. This unique environment spans almost 40 miles of pristine waterways and 2 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, accounting for 40% of Australia’s birdlife. Get immersed in nature with over 700 native species including kangaroos and wallabies, who love to frequent the shores of Lake Cootharaba.

Our top accommodation pick: Habitat Noosa

Our unmissable experience: Noosa Everglades Cruise & Canoe

Silhouettes of kangaroos on a beach at sunset in Australia

Victoria

Less than 2 hours from Melbourne is Phillip Island, with its famous Penguin Parade. This spectacle occurs at sunset daily and sees groups of the world’s smallest penguin waddle from the shore to their burrows by the boardwalk, something that is sure to leave you captivated. Phillip Island is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins in the world, but its wild coastal surf and sheltered bays are also busy with seals, migratory whales, koalas and brilliant birdlife.

Our top accommodation pick: Phillip Island Apartments

Our unmissable experience: Ultimate Penguin Parade

Grampians National Park is renowned for its significant diversity of wildlife, including at least 230 bird, 40 mammal, 30 reptile, 11 amphibian and 6 native fish species. If you're looking to spot Australia's endemic flightless bird, the emu, Grampians National Park is a great place to spot one. They often wonder across open woodland and grasslands, striding gracefully through the rugged landscape, predominantly in Halls Gap.

Our top accommodation pick: Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld

Our unmissable experience: Grampians National Park

South Australia

A scenic 30 minute flight from Adelaide or short ferry from the mainland, Kangaroo Island is a nature lovers paradise for spotting quintessential Australian wildlife. Explore breathtaking Flinders Chase National Park renowned for the Remarkable Rocks formation and watch mobs of kangaroos hop across the dramatic coastal backdrop. Despite its namesake, Kangaroo Island is one of the best locations in Australia to get cosy with a koala. If you’re eager to see these furry friends, this is a must stop on any itinerary.

Our top accommodation pick: Kangaroo Island Seafront

Our unmissable experience: 3 Night Kangaroo Island Encompassed

Though very cute in their own right, the friendly koalas on Kangaroo Island are not the only unique wildlife that South Australia has to offer. Heading north from Adelaide via the wine region of the Clare Valley brings you to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, a hotspot for the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby! These wallaby's can be spotted most commonly in the Flinders Ranges between March and October and can most impressively jump vertically to almost 2.5 times their size! A stay at Rawnsley Park Station offers the chance to see a Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby amongst a host of other native wildlife from all angles, most notably in the comfort of a 4WD vehicle, an overnight heli-hiking experience or even with a birds-eye view from the sky on a jaw-dropping scenic flight over the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound.

Our top accommodation pick: Rawnsley Park Station

Our unmissable experience: Overnight heli-hiking in Flinders Ranges

New South Wales

New South Wales has so much incredible wildlife on its doorstep, and this variety makes it a can't miss for any animal lovers! While the lush forest valleys and meandering waterways of the Blue Mountains, situated around 90 minutes outside of Sydney, make the perfect home for the elusive duck-billed platypus, this is barely scratching the surface. A stay at Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is guaranteed to amaze, home to over 4,000 of the world's most fascinating animals. Guests can enjoy exclusive access to the Austaralian wildlife enclosure, as well as entry to the zoo.

From May to November you can see whales - the most majestic creatures of the ocean as they migrate all the way from Antartica. To spot whales take a whale watch cruise which will allow you to get the optimum vantage point on their vessels - you may also spotthem in Sydney Harbour as whales often cruise close to shore. Whales can also be seen along the New South Wales Coast for those who are visiting Port Stephens, Jervis Bay and Byron Bay.

Our top accommodation pick: Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, Sydney

Our unmissable experience: Sydney Whale Watch Cruise

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world and only found in Tasmania, the island state off the coast of Australia. Locals in Tasmania adore their special creatures, so to see Tasmanian Devils, you can visit dedicated sanctuaries and conservation centres like Devils@Cradle or Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can embark on a tour to learn about the species' conservation.

Our pick: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Our Unmissable Experience: An Evening with Tasmanian Devils

For more inspiration, take a look at our Australia Holidays pages.

Written by Peter Smith

Pete is a Content Executive based in our Kensington head office. Pete has worked at TF since 2021 and has travelled to 30 countries. His favourite destinations include Vietnam, Canada and the Galapagos Islands.

@trailfindersofficial

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