Swimming with the sea lions in Baird Bay. -- Tourism Australia and South Australian Tourism Commission.
A visit to Australia is not complete without checking out any of its wildlife experiences.
KOALA, kangaroo, quokka, Tasmanian devil, wombat, echidna, platypus ... these are just a handful of animals that are native to Australia.
In fact, these animals are so famously associated with Australia that they're considered one of the country's "must-see" attractions. There’s nothing like Australia for unique wildlife encounters and immersive nature experiences which you can’t miss out on when making a trip Down Under.
From world-class national parks and animal sanctuaries, to protected islands and wildlife parks, there are plenty of options for visitors who want to get up close and personal with some of these animals.
Check out the smallest penguin species, the Little Penguin, on Phillip Island in Victoria. -- Phillip Island Nature Park.
Phillip Island, Victoria
If you have a soft spot for penguins but can't stand cold, wintry weather, you can head to Phillip Island in Victoria instead - just a short drive away from the city of Melbourne. It is famous for its Little Penguin, the smallest of all the penguin species, measuring about 30-35cm tall and weighing just over 1kg.
On the island, there's a daily "show" called the Little Penguin Parade, where tourists can see a colony of penguins returning to their nesting grounds in the evening after a day of hunting for food in the ocean, from viewing platforms. This is actually a wonderful and environmentally-friendly way to experience the penguins, as the platforms – there are a few types to choose from – were built in a way that do not obstruct the penguin's daily activities.
Off the coast of Phillip Island you will find Seal Rocks, a popular breeding ground for the Australian fur seal. In fact, it is said that this is where you will find the largest colony of Australian fur seals. Breeding season is from October to December, during which you will see thousands of fur seals just soaking up the sun on the rocks.
Apart from that, you can also visit the Koala Conservation Centre to spot koalas among the gum trees, and the Maru Koala & Animal Park, to catch a glimpse of other animals like wallabies, wombats, dingoes and quolls.
For more information, click here.
The happiest animal on Earth - the quokka - can be found on Rottnest Island. -- Tourism Western Australia.
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Do you know what the "happiest animal on Earth" is? Well, it's the quokka, a marsupial that seems to have a permanent smile on its face. The quokka – pronounced "kwah-ka" – is from the same family as the kangaroo, so they share some similar traits including a penchant for hopping around, and having a pouch, in which they keep their offspring.
Quokkas are really special because they can only be found in two places in Western Australia, one of which is Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve that's also known as Wadjemup. You can join one of several tours on the island that offer quokka sighting activities, or just spend some time on the island by staying at any of the accommodation options, which includes a camping ground.
If you do manage to get in close proximity to these cuties, remember that quokkas (and all native flora and fauna on the island) are protected for both recreation and conservation, so do them no harm. You can, however, try to get a selfie with a quokka; after all, they're ready with their smiles!
The island is one of the top holiday destinations in WA as it has a rich history, beautiful coastal scenes and plenty of activities to experience, including snorkelling, kayaking and spotting other marine animals like Humpback whales. You can also learn about Indigenous cultures on Rottnest.
For more information, click here.
Baird Bay, South Australia
Ever want to swim with the dolphins? Well you can get the chance to do this at Baird Bay on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia!
And not only the dolphins, but you can also swim with the sea lions when you join in the Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience tour at this fishing village. This is an interactive tour that's not only engaging but also follows sustainability practices, so tourists will not be allowed to feed any of the animals.
If you can't swim, don't worry as you can still join in the tour as a "sightseer", meaning you can observe the dolphins, sea lions and other marine life from the boat.
The Baird Bay Eco Experience is a family-owned tour company that has been around since 1992. Its swimming with the dolphins and sea lions tour is a popular activity not just among locals but with international tourists too.
For more information, click here.
From November to January, visitors to the Mon Repos Conservation Park may be able to witness Loggerhead turtles laying eggs on the beach. -- Tourism Australia.
Bundaberg, Queensland
On the Mon Repos Conservation Park near Bundaberg in Queensland, visitors may get the chance to see a female Loggerhead turtle lay her eggs on the beach. This only happens in certain periods of the year (November to January) of course, but it is definitely worth experiencing.
You may also be able to see young turtle hatchlings dig their way out of their nest on the Mon Repos beach, and then later make their way to the sea. This usually takes place between the months of January and March. To book the turtle encounter experience, and to find out more about Loggerhead turtles – as well as the other turtle species from around the world – head to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre located within the park. Here, you can also book ranger-guided walks around the park, and other tours that focus on turtle and marine conservation.
Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, and has the most significant Loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific. This is a fun and educational place for families and curious travellers.
For more information, click here.
At the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, you can find a diverse range of animals from all over the world, like the meerkat from Africa. -- VisitCanberra.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Not all zoos are built the same, and the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra is certainly in a class of its own. This is where you go if you want to have a close encounter experience with a diverse range of animals from all over the globe, not just those that are endemic to Australia.
Some of the animals that you can find here includes the spotted hyena, African painted dog, white rhinoceros, siamang, Goodfellow's tree kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, white lion, tawny frogmouth, red panda, cotton-top tamarin and pygmy marmoset, as well as alligator, rhinoceros iguana, and humphead Maori wrasse.
Meanwhile, experiences include feeding the bears, hyenas and tigers, getting close to a cheetah, and an African Savannah Safari, a 90-minute "journey through the wilds of Africa".
There's also a space called AdventureLand, for younger kids who may not be ready to interact with the real animals just yet. At this fun park, kids get to go on a different type of safari, where they "hang out" with life-sized animal sculptures and structures.
For more information, click here. (https://nationalzoo.com.au/close-encounters/)
You can stay the night at the Zoofari Lodge, an interesting accommodation option located within the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in New South Wales. -- Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Zoofari Lodge, New South Wales
Want to have a zoo "sleepover"? At the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in New South Wales, you can stay a night or two surrounded by all the animals ...
Styled after an African safari, the Zoofari Lodge is an interesting accommodation option not just for those who love animals, but for anyone wishing to try something unusual. Don't worry, the lodge comes with full facilities and amenities like a bathroom and restroom, a restaurant, bar, lounge and even a saltwater swimming pool.
One of the room types is located beside the zoo's stunning savannah, where the giraffes, rhinos, zebras and antelope live. The Bushland Lodges, meanwhile, are located near a native bush that is just a short distance away from the savannah.
Guests staying at the Zoofari Lodge will not only get admission tickets but will also have access to exclusive tours and activities in the zoo.
For more information, click here. (https://taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo/accommodation/zoofari-lodge)
The Kakadu National Park is one of the largest national parks in Australia. -- Tourism Australia.
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
The Kakadu National Park is arguably one of Australia's best parks; it is also one of the largest in the country, covering nearly 20,000sq km. Kakadu has also been home to Australia's Indigenous folk for more than 65,000 years, so a visit here will definitely be a memorable one.
There are many things to do at Kakadu, besides the usual guided tours and walks with Indigenous rangers. There are rock art sites to visit, painting and weaving demonstrations to check out, as well as performances to watch at the numerous cultural/visitor centres located throughout the park.
You can go boating on the wetlands and billabongs, too, or even check out the newly reopened crocodile-spotting site, Cahills Crossing. Among the upgraded facilities at this site are three new viewing platforms, a new rainforest walking trail and a picnic area.
The viewing platforms are where visitors get to see the crocodiles at feeding time during the dry season (between July and November), when about 50 estuarine crocodiles gather to search for food.
The park is dual World Heritage-listed for its outstanding natural and cultural values. For more information, click here.
For more travel inspiration and to plan your great Australian adventure, visit australia.com today.
