Australia's geographical isolation has had a pronounced effect on the evolution of many species. Basically, you can see animals here that do not exist anywhere else in the world. Australia's unique climate also contributes to the diversity of wildlife, and the sheer quantities of animals in Australia makes it really easy to spot them. Here are a few tips as to where you can go in Australia to see unique, rare, or seasonal animals without going to the zoo. All you have to do is get outside and have a look!
Portland, Victoria
Portland is a quaint little coastal town along the Great Ocean Road drive in Victoria and is filled with rich heritage buildings, fresh fish and great vantage points to spot wildlife. Take a walk along one of the many coastal trails and keep your eyes open, as you may be lucky enough to spot seals or even whales just off the coast. The winter months are the best time for whale watching as most whales make their seasonal migration at this time of year. Set yourself up with one of the many hospitable Portland accommodation options, as you may need to spend some time looking for the whales.
Inverell, New South Wales
If it is bird watching you are after, you won't be disappointed in the area surrounding the towns of Inverell and Glen Innes. There are tons of National Parks in this area so there is plenty of undisturbed habitat available for all sorts of critters on the ground and in the air. Camp out in one of the parks and you will be rewarded with the sights of typical forest species such as opossums, kookaburras, wallabies, koalas, kangaroos and, if you are lucky, emus and lyrebirds. Inverell accommodation is quite reasonably priced and you will be very impressed by the charming little township.
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Perhaps one of the most well known parks in Australia, Kakadu National Park, is teeming with rare and endangered wildlife, some of which you can't find anywhere else in the world or even in Australia. The park is home to more than 280 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, 117 species of reptiles and large amounts of amphibian and fish species. Some of the most note-worthy animals you could see include fresh and salt-water crocodiles, the unusual file snake, the oenpelli python, dragon lizards, turtles and rough
knob-tailed geckos. Many species you will need to be on a guided tour to see, but it is definitely worth it both for access reasons and safety concerns.
Monkey Mia, Western Australia
In the heart of Shark Bay, Monkey Mia's Dolphin Beach is a popular destination for visitors and Australians alike. It is not hard to see why it is so popular, as the water is crystal clear and the beaches are made up of perfect white sand and shells. Besides the beautiful location, Monkey Mia is also famous for its dolphin sightings and daily feedings that bring to dolphins right up to the shore. The area also has a lesser known but
equally as interesting attraction: stromatolites. These geologically significant formations signify the beginning of life on the planet, and are only found in two places in the world.
This list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wildlife viewing in Australia, but they are good places to get started! So get out your cameras and binoculars and you are bound to see something fantastic!
