Australia’s unique nature

Australia is a dream destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Due to its geographic isolation, Australia’s animal population is unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Local animals can often be spotted near cities or at zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

However, the best way to see animals is in their natural habitat. Many organised nature tours are available throughout Australia, ranging from short day trips to multi-day tours that take you deep into the wilderness to see endangered wildlife.

By choosing a responsible tour, you can support wildlife conservation and the work of local scientists. Some tours even allow you to contribute to the removal of noxious weeds from the forest, which helps prevent bushfires and saves entire communities of animals, such as koalas.

During excursions in Australia, you can often spot some of the most famous animals, such as kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, emus, beak eagles, marsupials, and possums. However, did you know that Australia has a total of 270 different mammal species, 828 bird species, 869 reptile species, and 5,000 fish species? This means that there are some truly unique experiences on offer that you cannot find in many other countries.

For instance, in Ningaloo Reef, located in Western Australia, you can swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Day trips are available from March to August. From June to October, you can also swim with humpback whales, as more than 35,000 humpback whales migrate to the area.

Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory, is one of the largest and finest nature reserves in the world. The area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its natural and indigenous culture that dates back more than 50,000 years. During your visit, you can expect to see an abundance of bird species, wallabies, and termite geckos. The most famous of all is the world’s largest reptile, the saltwater crocodile.

The Great Barrier Reef, located in North Queensland, is a world-renowned attraction that is worth spending several days exploring. Additionally, visiting the Daintree Rainforest will allow you to observe a diverse range of wildlife, including tree kangaroos, woodpeckers, and nearly 400 bird species, among which the endangered Cassowary can be found. The tropical forests are also home to saltwater crocodiles and 162 species of reptiles.

Tasmania is a nature-loving traveller’s dream destination as it is home to many unique animal species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Approximately 40% of Tasmania is protected as a national park or nature reserve, making it a perfect place to explore and appreciate nature. You can encounter less-known animals such as quolls, bandicoots, waterbucks, pademelons, forester kangaroos, bennett’s wallabies, and wombats, besides the famous Tasmanian devils.

If you’re interested in wildlife, Kangaroo Island in South Australia is an excellent destination. You can see numerous species of animals, such as Kangaroo kangaroos, damage wallabies, short-nosed dolphins, koalas, Rosenberg goannas, and over 260 types of birds. Additionally, the island’s marine life is abundant, as Australian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals inhabit the island.

If you plan to travel to South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, you have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water activities. You can watch sea lions and bottlenose dolphins or opt for an adventurous experience to cage dive with great white sharks.

There are several options available based on when you are travelling, so feel free to ask us for more information while planning your trip.

Author: Asko Meriläinen
Photo Credits: Asko Meriläinen, Tourism Australia