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Australian Animals: Unique, Poisonous, or Adorable

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

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.

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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.

We have spotted platypus in Queensland, and have looked for them in Victoria (Kangaroo Island), and have been told they have also been seen near Jindabyne in NSW.

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 where we stayed on Kangaroo Island.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

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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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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Anda

    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

  9. June

    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

  10. Trekking with Becky

    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

    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

  13. Travelera

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

    Reply

  14. Travelera

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

    Reply

  17. [email protected]

    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

  18. Lisa Ross

    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

  20. Kim Marie Ostrowski

    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

  23. jesh StG

    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

  24. JM Illinois U.S.A.

    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

      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

  37. Eli

    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

    • Rhonda Albom

      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

  45. Hilary Melton-Butcher

    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

  48. Amila

    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

      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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