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Iguana at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney

Australian Animals: Unique, Poisonous, or Adorable

You are here: Home / Travel / Oceania / Australia / Australian Animals: Unique, Poisonous, or Adorable

Last Updated: April 28, 2020 // by Rhonda Albom // 63 Comments

Koalas are amongst the cute and unique animals of Australia

Whether it’s a cuddly koala, a bouncy kangaroo, or a venomous snake, the concept of Australian animals conjures up a unique image for everyone. We have travelled to Australia a number of times, and have circumnavigated the country, part via car, but mostly on a ship.

This is only a sample of the wildlife we have seen. It represents a tiny portion of the 386 species of mammals, over 900 species of reptiles, 110,000 species of insects, and 800 species of birds that call Australia home.

Table of Contents
  • Unique Australian animals
    • Platypus
    • Echidna
  • Australian marsupials
    • Kangaroo
    • Wallaby
    • Quokka (a small Australian marsupial)
    • Koala
  • Australian desert animals
    • Iguana
    • Skink
  • Dangerous or venomous animals in Australia
    • Scorpions
    • Brown snake
    • Bats
    • Crocodile
  • Australian birds
  • Butterflies and moths
  • Why did the cow cross the road?
  • More about Australian wildlife

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Unique Australian animals

Platypus

Platypus is one of two mammals that lay eggs, the other being the echidna. Only found in mainland Australia and on Tasmania, it is often called a duck-billed platypus. Its tail resembles that of a beaver, while it has a webbed foot similar to an otter.

The secrets to spotting them are to know where they might be and to remain still and quiet. They tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, but we were lucky. Our patience paid off and we spotted this one in the late afternoon.

Platypus is amongst the egg-laying Australian Animals. We spotted this one in Queensland.
This shot was worth the wait. We heard there might be platypus in the stream about an hour south of Cairns. We just stayed quietly in the bush, and after a while, we got our reward.

Echidna

Echidna is also an egg-laying mammal, and often included in conversations of weird Australian animals. We saw one crossing the road on Kangaroo Island. Unfortunately, by the time we stopped and I got out of the car, it was already seeking camouflage.

Echidna seeking camouflage after crossing the road on Kangaroo Island, Australia.
Echidna.

Australian marsupials

The kangaroo is probably the most well-known of the Australian animals with a pouch, but it’s not the only one.

Kangaroo

The Red Kangaroo is the national animal of Australia. It can be found on the Australian Coat of Arms along with the Emu, which is the national bird.

Kangaroo and joey seen on the Sunshine coast in Queensland. They sure look like adorable Australian animals.
Kangaroos are a common sight in Australia. However, this is the only one we spotted with a joey.
Kangaroo Island Kangaroo on road in Flinders Chase Park on Kangaroo Island, Australia.
Kangaroo Island Kangaroo on road in Flinders Chase Park

Wallaby

Wallabies are from the same family but are smaller than kangaroos. They are native to both Australia and New Guinea. We saw Tammar Wallaby at the Kangaroo Island Wilderness resort. They are amongst the smaller wallabies.

Tammar wallaby seen  at Kangaroo Island WIlderness Retreat on Kangaroo Island, Australia.
Tammar wallaby.

Quokka (a small Australian marsupial)

Quokka is a small kangaroo-like animal that lives in Western Australia, predominantly on Rottnest Island. They have been nicknamed the happiest animal in the world, mostly because when they hold their head up, they look like they are smiling.

Taking quokka selfies is a challenge and a pastime on the island.

  • Quokka selfie on Rottnest Island
  • Australian animal Quokka on Rottnest Island, Western Australia
  • Australian animal Quokka and joey on Rottnest Island in Western Australia
    Quokkas and joey on Rottnest Island

Koala

Yes, koalas are marsupials, not mammals; therefore, they are not a bear. Koala is another cute Australian animal, like the quokka.

  • Koalas seen in trees on Kangaroo Island, Australia.
  • We spotted this koala high up in a eucalyptus tree in a park in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast of Australia
  • Koala seen from the Great Ocean Raod
  • Koala holding a baby seen in trees on Kangaroo Island, Australia.

Australian desert animals

Australian animals include over 700 species of lizards and snakes. This includes both gentle creatures and those which are venomous.

Iguana

Iguana at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney
Iguana at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney.

Skink

Bobtail Skink seen in Victoria, Australia
Hubby spotted this Bobtail Skink on a side road as we were meandering our way from the Grampians back to Melbourne in Victoria.

Dangerous or venomous animals in Australia

One of the many things that quickly distinguished Australia from New Zealand (where I live) is the vast number of poisonous animals in Australia. New Zealand has only one venomous spider, and it’s only in the north.

Scorpions

Thankfully, this is the only scorpion we have seen, and it was at the Australian Venom Museum in Kuranda.

Scorpion at the Australian Venom Museum in Kuranda

Brown snake

I didn’t need to hear much more than, “It’s a Brown Snake. You’ll know if it bites you, but you will have time to get to the hospital.” I snapped my photo and moved on.

Brown snake at Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks in Albany, Western Australia
Brown snake at Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks in Albany, Western Australia.

Bats

I know these bats aren’t venomous, but they still make me feel uncomfortable. Therefore, rather than walking into the cave, I took the shot from the entrance.

Bats flying at Paronella Park in Queensland. Not my favourite  wild animals in Australia
Honestly, I am not a fan of bats, so this was the best photo I could get before I ran away. Shot at Paronella Park in tropical Queensland.

Crocodile

And if the venom isn’t enough to scare you, there are plenty of other dangerous animals in Australia.

Crocodile is one of the more dangerous Australian animals
I was glad to be on a boat when this crocodile was spotted.

Australian birds

Birdlife is abundant in Australia, with over 800 species of birds that call Australia home. Some are Australian native birds, others came in with the convicts and explorers.

Rainbow Lorikeet in Australia
So colourful, I love Rainbow Lorikeets. We have seen them in multiple spots, including Darwin and this one in Sydney.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in Brambuk Cultural Center, Halls Gap, Australia
This is one of many wild Sulphur Crested Cockatoos we saw in Victoria.
Australian Birds including a kookaburra and an owl
Kookaburra, plus two other birds I don’t know, seen in different parts of the country.
Little blue penguin seen in St. Kilda in Melbourne, Australia
Many years ago, we saw a colony of little blue penguins under the pier in St. Kilda in Melbourne. However, we have been told that only a few still remain.

Butterflies and moths

There are over 400 different species of moths and butterflies in Australia.

Two of the over 400 different species of butterflies in Australia.

Why did the cow cross the road?

Farming is an important industry, and cows or sheep are often seen when driving alongside the fields.

Sharing the road with some cows in Queensland Australia
Sharing the road with some cattle in Queensland.

More about Australian wildlife

  • When driving at night in areas with wildlife, stay focused and be prepared for kangaroos in the road. We saw far too many dead ones along the sides of the road.
  • Echidna are pretty unusual. Check out some of the fun facts about them on Wired.
  • This looks like a handy guide to have around: Australia’s Dangerous Animals: A Folding Pocket Guide to Potentially Harmful Species.
  • Don’t forget travel insurance, especially if you plan to have personal encounters with some of the animals on this page. We always start with World Nomads. ⇒ Click here to get a quote from World Nomads.

Save for later

If you enjoyed these Australian animals, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

  • This platypus is one of several interesting animals I was able to photograph while visiting Australia.
  • Kangaroo and emu road sign in Australia
  • Koalas are amongst the cute and unique animals of Australia

What are your favourite Australian animals?

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Category: AustraliaTag: Animals, Australia, Birds

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy

    December 5, 2019 at 6:07 am

    I would so love to visit Australia, but I think it would take a full lifetime to appreciate all it has to offer.

    Reply
  2. Faye | Travel Visa Australia

    May 25, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    Awesome creature, I hope to see it personally because I really love a different kind of animals.

    Reply
  3. Bob R

    April 28, 2017 at 6:31 am

    Love the snap of the Lorikeet! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Anda

    February 7, 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Australia has such an interesting fauna. Since I’ve never been there I haven’t seen any of these animals in their own habitat. However, kangaroos and koalas I’ve seen in zoos before, but I never saw a platypus. For some reason I find this animal very repulsive. I don’t think I’d like to meet one while swimming (LOL!)

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      February 7, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      I wouldn’t want to meet one either, as I don’t image platypus to be very nice. However, standing on the shore, hidden in the bushes they were very cool to see.

      Reply
  5. Janice

    February 2, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    Wow! Those are so cool! I can’t believe you captured that platypus! I want to see one in real life one day. Also, that bobtail kink is cute!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      February 4, 2017 at 9:55 pm

      We waited quite a while for the platypus, but it was worth it. They are so fascinating. The skink, in the other hand, I found a bit creepy.

      Reply
  6. Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

    January 31, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    I suppose you don’t need to be told how lucky you are to have spotted a platypus. They are very shy and elusive.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      February 1, 2017 at 9:14 am

      I do know. I also know that you are in the club too. Everyone else still thinks they are made up.

      Reply
  7. Klara S

    January 29, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Koala is my favourite australian animal :):):)

    Reply
  8. Mariposa

    January 29, 2017 at 1:49 am

    Wow! Beautiful photos you have here! Thank you for sharing these wonders xx

    Reply
  9. June

    January 28, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Fabulous post, Rhonda! My mom visited Australia several years ago and still talks about her adventures! She didn’t see a platypus though, what a treat!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 28, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      Australia is close for us, only a 3-4 hour flight to the eastern cities.

      Reply
  10. Trekking with Becky

    January 27, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    The only animals that come to mind when I think of Australia are kangaroos and koalas. What a lovely little collection. 🙂

    The vibrant colours always intrigue me. The birds remind me of a lot of the ones I saw in Kuala Lumpur at the incredible bird sanctuary. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lolo

    January 27, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    Boy, you’ve certainly been pretty lucky to spot all of these animals! I never see when I travel! Although when I lived in Montana I had a moose in my yard who got scared when I opened my garage and then it ran inside my garage. #wkendtravelsinpiration

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 27, 2017 at 11:24 pm

      The trick is to be patient and wait.

      Reply
  12. kelleyn rothaermel

    January 27, 2017 at 8:34 am

    I am amazed at how much you travel. Incredible! Australian does have a unique set of animals. Have a great week!

    Reply
  13. Travelera

    January 27, 2017 at 6:10 am

    You have captured them beautifully, I love specially the Kangaroo with the baby, how cute is that!!
    Have a lovely day!

    Reply
  14. Travelera

    January 27, 2017 at 6:03 am

    What a beautiful pictures!!! I love specially the one with the Kangaroo and the baby, so cute! 🙂
    Have a lovely day xxx

    Reply
  15. Beata

    January 27, 2017 at 3:58 am

    They looks amazing !!!

    Reply
  16. Mandy

    January 27, 2017 at 2:37 am

    Great shots of the animals! I’m not sure I would have been anywhere near that scorpion, though! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 27, 2017 at 11:19 pm

      LOL – it was at the Venomous Zoo, so it should have been safe if they were letting people hold that one.

      Reply
  17. [email protected]

    January 26, 2017 at 11:44 pm

    Love your shots! Even living here I always enjoy seeing our native animals. I haven’t seen a wild platypus before and living so close to where you saw yours I should go looking one day. The red and green parrot is King Parrot, some live around my Mum’s place. The owl, I’m not sure what type.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 27, 2017 at 11:18 pm

      Thanks for identifying the King Parrot and good luck finding a platypus. The secret is patience and quiet.

      Reply
  18. Lisa Ross

    January 26, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    I’ve never seen platypus but love all their colourful birds and the koala though after we went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and let Amelia hold a koala, we learned that they hate it. 🙁 I also love bats! but perhaps wouldn’t if they were flying around my head. I can do without snakes and large spiders!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 27, 2017 at 11:17 pm

      Both our girls got to hold a koala at the Australia Zoo. I didn’t know they hated it.

      Reply
  19. Handmade in Israel

    January 26, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Wow, wonderful photos! I love the one of the Iguana. Not so sure about the scorpion though… we get enough of them here, thank you very much 😉

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 27, 2017 at 11:16 pm

      Glad there are no scorpions in New Zealand.

      Reply
  20. Kim Marie Ostrowski

    January 26, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    OMG they had a couple JOey on Outback adventure with Tim Faulkner this weekend. I forget the name of the part in OZ that he works at but if you ever go I would LOVE a picture! Though I doubt you’ll find him! But who knows!

    I love the Kukoburra bird!!! and let’s put it this way… be greatful of the bats you have there as a lot of ours are getting that white nose thing.
    That red bird in the middle where the Kuko is… not sure but it looks like a parakeet but bigger. And the one next to it is some sort of Owl.

    Reply
  21. felicia

    January 26, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    the joey’s are adorable. the skink is quite interesting too.

    Reply
  22. clairejustine

    January 26, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Oh wow, you got some beautiful pictures. Love all the close up shots 🙂

    Reply
  23. jesh StG

    January 26, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Beautiful captures, Rhonda. My favorite are probably the kangaroo (since they don’t live anywhere else), and the lorikeets – such beautiful and colorful birds. For the past months have seen your comments “everywhere” but couldn’t get to your blog via your comments, so I finally saw your link here At WATW :):) Am inviting you back to ALL SEASONS (link is open Sunday through Wednesday evening 7pm, Pacific USA time) Hope to see you there this, or next week! Have a happy week!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 26, 2017 at 6:15 pm

      Thanks for the heads up. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Seeing the joey was a special treat, as was the platypus and the skink.

      Reply
  24. JM Illinois U.S.A.

    January 26, 2017 at 7:24 am

    Those cows were really in your face. When cows escape their farmland here, they do stop traffic. I remember one time a truckload of cows going to market overturned on the expressway. Policeman had double duty that day not only were they suppose to help the truck driver with their injuries they needed to round up cows who walked into beauty salons and stores in Old Orchard Shopping Mall. Amazing how one image can trigger a memory, eh?

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 26, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      I know I am missing the point, but I am honing in on Old Orchard shopping mall. This is one small world. I grew up in Skokie and went to Niles North High School, which I think is across the street from that mall. I have been gone for a long time, but wow. Your comment sure brought back memories.

      Reply
  25. indah nuria

    January 26, 2017 at 6:55 am

    I love platypus as well Rhonda..I found them cute 🙂

    Reply
  26. Betty Crow

    January 26, 2017 at 5:39 am

    This is a wonderful post. Loved seeing all the birds and animals. They are so different than what I see here in middle-of-nowhere Illinois.

    Reply
  27. L. Diane Wolfe

    January 26, 2017 at 2:14 am

    Beautiful photos. I love the bat one. I would’ve ducked, but I would’ve kept snapping photos.

    Reply
  28. Joyce Lansky

    January 26, 2017 at 2:11 am

    I don’t think I’ve seen these in my neighborhood, lately.

    Reply
  29. Bill

    January 25, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    Great photo’s, always wondered what a platypus looked like for real, cute little critter

    Reply
  30. Sharon

    January 25, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    The platypus is real! I’ve never seen one. This just amazes me!

    Reply
  31. Deborah/Mom2Michael

    January 25, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Fantastic photos! How lucky to see the platypus!

    Reply
  32. Lovelygishi

    January 25, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    Wow, a beautiful photo collection of colorful animals. Your story is very interesting! This is awesome!

    Reply
  33. Lovelygishi

    January 25, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    Wow, simply beautiful and colorful photos, and a great collection of animal pictures. This is awesome!

    Reply
  34. Handmade Jewelry Haven

    January 25, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    I would say my favorite would be the Kangaroo, especially when they carry their babies. Bella (my baby) is here with me and her favorite is the Koala.

    Thanks for sharing and please come visit my blog too!

    – Lisa

    Reply
  35. Jill M.

    January 25, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    Wow very gorgeous photos! Funny on the bats!

    Reply
  36. stephanie jefferson

    January 25, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Oh the platypus! Love! I showed my boys your photos and they thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the animals!

    Reply
  37. Eli

    January 25, 2017 at 10:25 am

    Good to be back at your blog, Rhonda – and what a great post- the pics are amazing. Have never seen these animals live – must be awesome:-)

    Reply
  38. Alex J. Cavanaugh

    January 25, 2017 at 7:43 am

    Amazing shots. Who was brave enough to hold the scorpion?

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 25, 2017 at 10:09 pm

      We went to Kuranda several years ago, and I really don’t remember if it was hubby’s hand or the guy who worked there. I just know it wasn’t mine and it is too big to belong to either of my girls.

      Reply
  39. Comedy Plus

    January 25, 2017 at 5:22 am

    Koala’s are my favorite of all. We have a Koala stuffed toy as our boat mascot.

    Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. 🙂

    Reply
  40. Teresa Kindred

    January 25, 2017 at 4:34 am

    Those birds are gorgeous! The other critters I could do without!

    Reply
  41. Patrick Weseman

    January 25, 2017 at 4:31 am

    What amazing photos. Very stunning.

    I am fond of all animals that live Down Under.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 25, 2017 at 10:05 pm

      I am fond of most of them, although I could do without some of the dangerous ones.

      Reply
  42. carol mckenna

    January 25, 2017 at 4:07 am

    Love koala and kangaroo ~ your photography of all the animals is wonderful! thanks,

    Wishing you a peaceful weekend ~ ^_^

    Reply
  43. Carol

    January 25, 2017 at 2:47 am

    Beautiful collection, love all of them

    Reply
  44. stevebethere

    January 24, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    These are fab shots Rhonda loved the Scorpion on the hand and I knew you would see cows somewhere or udder…sorry couldn’t resist that 🙂

    Have a udderlytastic week 🙂

    Reply
  45. Hilary Melton-Butcher

    January 24, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    Hi Rhonda – love the platypus, and that Lorikeet … and in fact all the animals – the bobtail skink, while the cows look as though they could be in the UK on a wet day! Looks like a wonderful trip … cheers Hilary

    Reply
  46. Barbara Radisavljevic

    January 24, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    I’ve never seen any of these animals outside of a zoo. I guess we all get treated to seeing different varieties of wildlife, depending upon where we live. I love the colorful birds.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 25, 2017 at 9:57 pm

      True. The interesting wildlife is one of the things I love about Australia, although some of the more dangerous ones I hope I don’t see.

      Reply
  47. Shere

    January 24, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    My favourite animal is the koala, they are sooooo cute!! Well when we saw them for real, we realised they don’t move so much 😂

    Reply
  48. Amila

    January 24, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    Wonderful collection of animals.I love the scene of cattle across the road because we have such experiences in Sri Lanka too.The place with bats look little bit haunting,but great way to view these species!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      January 25, 2017 at 9:55 pm

      LOL – I have been stopped in the road by sheep in New Zealand, but I would imagine the cow situation happens here too. As for the bats, I don’t think it was set up for tourist, but rather the bats chose this spot.

      Reply

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Rhonda Albom bio imageCapturing the essence of travel through photography, Albom Adventures inspires young baby boomers to travel New Zealand and the world. Together, Rhonda and Jeff have visted 63 countries on 6 continents.

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