Travel update: ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred latest travel information for South East QLD and Northern NSW
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Maxime Coquard
Where to meet Australia’s weirdest animals
Australia is home to some of the world’s weirdest – and most wonderful – animals. Here’s where you can see them.
1
The frilled neck lizard
Frilled neck lizard © Tourism Australia
Australian Reptile Park, Central Coast, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Australian Reptile Park, Central Coast, New South Wales © Destination NSW
1
The frilled neck lizard
Where: Australian Reptile Park, a one-hour drive north of Sydney
Best known for their large, orange neck frills and wide-open mouths (which they show off when threatened), frilled neck lizards are a memorable sight. These curious reptiles are primarily found in Kakadu National Park, but if you'd like to see one up close, your best bet is to visit a wildlife park like the Australian Reptile Park in Sydney. Here, you're less likely to startle these jumpy little guys when taking a peek.
2
The spotted-tailed quoll
Devils @ Cradle, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Devils @ Cradle, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Devils @ Cradle, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Devils @ Cradle, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
2
The spotted-tailed quoll
Where: Devils @ Cradle, a four-hour drive north of Hobart
The spotted-tail quoll, a carnivorous marsupial sometimes called a tiger quoll, is found in Queensland's rainforests and across Tasmania. Quolls are semi-arboreal, meaning they're happy on the ground or among the treetops, and they're considered an apex predator of insects, reptiles and small mammals. Set aside some time to see and learn about spotted-tail quolls with a visit to the Devils @ Cradle Sanctuary near Hobart.
3
The platypus
Platypus, Tasmania © Ash Thomson Photography
Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
3
The platypus
Where: Wet Tropics rainforest near Cairns
The platypus is perhaps the most wonderfully weird animal nature has to offer, and Australia is the only place to see them in the wild. Waterproof fur, a duck-like bill and webbed feet are just a few things that make the platypus, frankly, pretty bizarre. Boost your likelihood of spotting a platypus with Wait-A-While Tours in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest near Cairns.
4
The echidna
Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission
Flinders Island, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Alice Springs Desert Park, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
4
The echidna
Where: The Alice Springs Desert Park in Alice Springs
The adorable, spiky echidna is another of Australia’s most-loved creatures. Echidnas and platypus are the only mammals in the world that lay eggs, so if it's unusual animals you're after, these shy cuties fit the bill nicely. Make a trip to Alice Springs Desert Park, where you'll get a chance to learn about these curious animals, their habitats and their significance to First Nations communities.
5
The numbat
Numbat © Tourism Australia
5
The numbat
Where: Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, a one-hour drive from Perth
Ever heard of a numbat? These interesting little animals are known for their long tongue, which helps them scoop up their diet of termites. And unlike most other marsupials, the numbat is active during the daytime. The Numbat Trail Hiking Experience in Western Australia offers a good chance of spotting wild numbats (and other unique Aussie animals). Drive about an hour from Perth to the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, where you'll kick off a 12km (7.5-mile) hike amongst fragrant eucalyptus trees.
6
The Tasmanian devil
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Taranna, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Taranna, Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania & Scott Sporleder, Matador
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Taranna, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
6
The Tasmanian devil
Where: The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, a one-hour drive from Hobart
Known for their wild temperament and made famous by the Looney Tunes character, Tasmanian devils are an Aussie classic. Tassie devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials in Australia today, and you can find groups living within Tasmania's forests. Plan a visit to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, where you can take a guided four-wheel drive tour through the neighbouring forest and learn how conservation efforts monitor the local Tassie devil population.
7
The cassowary
FNQ Nature Tours, Daintree National Park, Queensland © FNQ Nature Tours
FNQ Nature Tours, Daintree National Park, Queensland © FNQ Nature Tours
7
The cassowary
Where: The Daintree Rainforest, a one-hour drive from Cairns
Growing up to 1.8m (6ft) and known for their bright blue heads, the cassowary is considered a close living relative to avian dinosaurs – and they look it, too! The dense rainforest of Australia's tropical north is home to these massive birds, and one of the best ways to spot them in the wild is with FNQ Nature Tours. Take a single or multi-day tour through the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where you'll see beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and (hopefully) a few cassowaries.
8
The emu
Coffin Bay National Park, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Emma Curran
Lincoln National Park, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Tourism Australia
Australian Coastal Safaris, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Tourism Australia
8
The emu
Where: Port Lincoln, a one-hour flight from Adelaide
The emu is Australia's tallest native bird and can grow as tall as 1.9m (over six feet). These flightless creatures walk around on two long, powerful legs and are covered in brown feathers. The emu can be found in most parts of Australia, but a guided experience will make your encounter truly special. Australian Coastal Safaris runs tours on the Eyre Peninsula, where you can encounter emus and other local wildlife and learn all about their behaviours and habitats.
