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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Australian desert animals
Australian animals include over 700 species of lizards and snakes. This includes both gentle creatures and those which are venomous.
Iguana
Skink
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.
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.
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.
Crocodile
And if the venom isn’t enough to scare you, there are plenty of other dangerous animals in Australia.
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.
Butterflies and moths
There are over 400 different species of moths and 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.
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.
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What are your favourite Australian animals?
Nancy
I would so love to visit Australia, but I think it would take a full lifetime to appreciate all it has to offer.
Faye | Travel Visa Australia
Awesome creature, I hope to see it personally because I really love a different kind of animals.
Bob R
Love the snap of the Lorikeet! 🙂
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!)
Rhonda Albom
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.
Janice
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!
Rhonda Albom
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.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I suppose you don’t need to be told how lucky you are to have spotted a platypus. They are very shy and elusive.
Rhonda Albom
I do know. I also know that you are in the club too. Everyone else still thinks they are made up.
Klara S
Koala is my favourite australian animal :):):)
Mariposa
Wow! Beautiful photos you have here! Thank you for sharing these wonders xx
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!
Rhonda Albom
Australia is close for us, only a 3-4 hour flight to the eastern cities.
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. 🙂
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
Rhonda Albom
The trick is to be patient and wait.
kelleyn rothaermel
I am amazed at how much you travel. Incredible! Australian does have a unique set of animals. Have a great week!
Travelera
You have captured them beautifully, I love specially the Kangaroo with the baby, how cute is that!!
Have a lovely day!
Travelera
What a beautiful pictures!!! I love specially the one with the Kangaroo and the baby, so cute! 🙂
Have a lovely day xxx
Beata
They looks amazing !!!
Mandy
Great shots of the animals! I’m not sure I would have been anywhere near that scorpion, though! 🙂
Rhonda Albom
LOL – it was at the Venomous Zoo, so it should have been safe if they were letting people hold that one.
[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.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks for identifying the King Parrot and good luck finding a platypus. The secret is patience and quiet.
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!
Rhonda Albom
Both our girls got to hold a koala at the Australia Zoo. I didn’t know they hated it.
Handmade in Israel
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 😉
Rhonda Albom
Glad there are no scorpions in New Zealand.
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.
felicia
the joey’s are adorable. the skink is quite interesting too.
clairejustine
Oh wow, you got some beautiful pictures. Love all the close up shots 🙂
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!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks for the heads up. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Seeing the joey was a special treat, as was the platypus and the skink.
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?
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.
indah nuria
I love platypus as well Rhonda..I found them cute 🙂
Betty Crow
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.
L. Diane Wolfe
Beautiful photos. I love the bat one. I would’ve ducked, but I would’ve kept snapping photos.
Joyce Lansky
I don’t think I’ve seen these in my neighborhood, lately.
Bill
Great photo’s, always wondered what a platypus looked like for real, cute little critter
Sharon
The platypus is real! I’ve never seen one. This just amazes me!
Deborah/Mom2Michael
Fantastic photos! How lucky to see the platypus!
Lovelygishi
Wow, a beautiful photo collection of colorful animals. Your story is very interesting! This is awesome!
Lovelygishi
Wow, simply beautiful and colorful photos, and a great collection of animal pictures. This is awesome!
Handmade Jewelry Haven
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
Jill M.
Wow very gorgeous photos! Funny on the bats!
stephanie jefferson
Oh the platypus! Love! I showed my boys your photos and they thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the animals!
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:-)
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Amazing shots. Who was brave enough to hold the scorpion?
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.
Comedy Plus
Koala’s are my favorite of all. We have a Koala stuffed toy as our boat mascot.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. 🙂
Teresa Kindred
Those birds are gorgeous! The other critters I could do without!
Patrick Weseman
What amazing photos. Very stunning.
I am fond of all animals that live Down Under.
Rhonda Albom
I am fond of most of them, although I could do without some of the dangerous ones.
carol mckenna
Love koala and kangaroo ~ your photography of all the animals is wonderful! thanks,
Wishing you a peaceful weekend ~ ^_^
Carol
Beautiful collection, love all of them
stevebethere
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 🙂
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
Barbara Radisavljevic
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.
Rhonda Albom
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.
Shere
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 😂
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!
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.