Wildlife Encounters
Dugong
The dugong is a large marine mammal which, together with the manatees, is one of four living species of the order Sirenia. The world's most significant population - 10,000 to 12,000 animals, or 10% of the species - lives in Shark Bay, WA. Moreton Bay off the coast of Brisbane, Qld, is another major home of the dugong because it also contains clean, clear water at the appropriate depth ranges; suitable food; and access to the sea for warmth.
Kangaroos
Kangaroos are the most prolific of Australia's marsupials and can be found almost anywhere around the country. Get up close in their natural habitat, however, is another thing. At Pebbly Beach near Batemans Bay, NSW, the local kangaroos not only graze on the grass above the beach and around the cabins, they often jump into the surf and splash around. At Cape Hillsborough, Qld, eastern greys can often be found around the picnic areas and on the beach during the afternoon and evening, feeding on the washed up seaweed. A similar things occurs with western grey kangaroos on the other side of the continent at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, near Esperance, WA.
Whale Sharks
The whale shark is a slow-moving filter feeding shark, and the largest living fish species. Whale sharks can seen at close range by divers in many places in tropical waters around the world. In Australia, the only place where a diver can swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef near Coral Bay, on the north west coast of Western Australia. Every year, between late March and early July, these gentle giants congregate in the Ningaloo Marine Park following the mass spawning of coral.
Australian Sea-Lions
Point Labatt, on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, is the best place to view Australian sea lions. These fascinating animals - Australia's only permanent mainland colony - can be seen in their natural habitat from a clifftop viewing platform. The reefs around the foot of the cliffs here provide a resting place for the sea-lions, which have often spent several weeks at sea catching fish before returning here to rest and play.
Australian Fur Seals
The Australian Fur Seal has a relatively restricted distribution around the islands of Bass Strait, parts of Tasmania and southern Victoria. They can be seen hauling out (coming ashore) on islands off South Australia and areas of southern New South Wales such as Montague Island with the occasional animal appearing as far north as the mid north coast of New South Wales.
Green Turtles
The green turtle is a large and attractive marine turtle that spends almost its entire life at sea. However, during the summer months, the females come ashore to nest on some mainland beaches and many offshore islands of northern Australia. In Australia, there are four major green turtle nesting areas.
Jumping Crocodiles
An hour's drive from Darwin you can take a cruise on the Adelaide River and see giant crocodiles being fed at close range in their natural habitat. What's even more amazing is that this attraction is natural; it takes nothing from the crocodile's habitat and changes nothing in the way it lives naturally in the wild. A short interaction of just a few minutes a day ensures that the crocodiles lose none of their natural survival and hunting instincts.
Quokkas
The Quokka, one of the smallest wallabies, is always associated with Rottnest Island, of the coast of Perth, WA, for it is here they have found a safe haven to live and breed. Quokkas have free access to the whole of the island and it is rare to visit Rottnest, even on a day trip, without seeing one. Quokkas are also known to come into the settlement areas at dusk seeking food.
Whale Watching
After being hunted almost to extinction, whales are common in Australian waters once agaIn. From late July to early November, Whales can be seen as they migrate from cool southern waters around Antarctica to more temperate, sub-tropical waters to give birth. There are many points on land from which to view whales as they pass up and down the coast, the the best views are had by taking a whale watching cruise.
Platypus
The Platypus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting small streams and rivers over an extensive range from the cold highlands of Tasmania and the Australian Alps to the tropical rainforests of coastal Queensland as far north as the base of the Cape York Peninsula. There are a number of viewing platforms for the observation of Platypuses in their natural habitat at a number of locations around the country.
Stromatolites
At Hamelin Pool, which is a bay within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area on the Western Australian Coral Coast, the world's oldest organisms can be seen - stromatolites. Stromatolites are believed to be the result of primitive life forms that are believed to have first existed on earth 3.5 billion years ago. They are the earliest known form of life on earth. The dome shaped structures reach up to 60cm in height and are formed by single celled organisms called cyanobacteria. The process continues today.
Hairy-Nosed Wombat
Wombats are Australian marsupials found in forested, mountainous and heathland areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Wombats are stocky, robust animals, with a lot of power for digging. The body is close to one meter long with short, powerful legs. Most wildlife park and sanctuaries parks, zoos and other tourist set-ups across Australia have wombats on public display, and they are quite popular
Koalas
Of all the animals that are unique to Australia, the koala and the kangaroo are at the top of the list of "must see" animals among overseas visitors. The koala can be found throughout the coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. However, as they are nocturnal and live in the high branches of tall trees, they are very difficult to spot by the untrained eye of passers by. Most zoos and wildlife sanctuaries have koalas, often they can be held for photographs.
Dolphins
Dolphins are one of the Earth's most fascinating and curious creatures. As Bottlenose dolphins are found throughout the oceans and seas surrounding Australia, there are no set locations where one can be directed to and be guaranteed for seeing them. There are, however a number of places where humans have interacted with wild dolphins over a period of time, and the dolphins are now not only used to human interaction but enjoy it to the degree that they come back for more day after day.
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