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Our recent trip nearly circumnavigating Australia (Melbourne to Perth over the top) was our fifth visit to this diverse island nation. Living in New Zealand, it’s only a 3-hour flight from Auckland to Sydney. While I typically share photos of the dramatic landscape, seascapes, and architecture, today’s post is about the Australian animals that we have seen.

Platypus seen in Queensland Australia
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.
Iguana at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney
Iguana at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney.
We spotted this koala high up in a eucalyptus tree in a park in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast of Australia
We spotted this koala in a eucalyptus tree in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.
Scorpion at the Australian Venom Museum in Kuranda
Thankfully, this is the only scorpion we have seen, and it was at the Australian Venom Museum in Kuranda.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in Brambuk Cultural Center, Halls Gap, Australia
This is one of many wild Sulphur Crested Cockatoos we saw in Victoria.
Two of the over 400 different species of butterflies in Australia.
Two of the over 400 different species of moths and butterflies in Australia.
Little blue penguin seen in St. Kilda in Melbourne, Australia
We saw several little blue penguins under the pier in St. Kilda in Melbourne.
Kangaroo and joey seen on the Sunshine coast in Queensland. They sure look like adorable Australian animals.
Kangaroos are a common site in Australia. However, this is the only one we spotted with a joey.
Bats flying at Paronella Park in Queensland. Not my favourite Australia Animals
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.
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.
Sharing the road with some cattle in Queensland Australia
Sharing the road with some cattle in Queensland.
Crocodile in Australia
I was glad to be on a boat when this crocodile was spotted.
Rainbow Lorikeet in Australia
So colourful, I love Rainbow Lorikeets. We have seen them in multiple spots including Darwin and this one in Sydney.
Australian Birds
Kookaburra plus two other birds I don’t know seen in different parts of the country.

This is only a sample of the wildlife we have seen and a tiny portion of the over 450 species of mammals, 300 species of lizards, 110,000 species of insects, and 800 species of birds that call Australia home. Australian Wildlife: Wildlife Explorer offers 200 pages to give a more comprehensive look at Australian animals.

What are your favourite Australian animals?

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This platypus is one of several interesting animals I was able to photograph while visiting Australia.

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  4. 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!)

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  9. 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!

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  10. 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. 🙂

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  11. 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

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  17. 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.

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  18. 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!

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  20. 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.

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  23. 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!

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  24. 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?

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    • 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.

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  35. 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

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  38. 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:-)

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    • 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.

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  46. 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

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  49. 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!

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    • 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.

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