There’s no better time to get out spotting some of Australia’s unique wildlife. Whether it’s sun-bathing sea lions on Kangaroo Island, playful dolphins at Monkey Mia or gliding crocs in Kakadu – whatever your favourite animal, take a trip now to check them out.  Spoilt for choice? Here are some top-notch wildlife destinations:

Northern Territory

Darwin is a great base for exploring the unique wildlife of the Top End. If time is short, and you like your critters at a safe distance, then take a day trip down to the Territory Wildlife Park, 50 kilometres south of Darwin. You’ll get a real taste of the wetland environment that makes this part of Australia so different.  

But there’s nothing quite like the real thing, and you need to include time for a visit to Kakadu National Park. Try not to rush it – the best way to get a feel for the beauty and serenity of this world heritage area is to go for early morning and late afternoon walks, when you’ll get the chance to see local birdlife in abundance. The dawn cruise on Yellow Waters is a must – crocs a plenty but at a safe distance! Birds abound and you may even see a water buffalo or two. But to guarantee a buffalo sighting you need to go on a specialised tour as their numbers have been restricted in the national park.  

Guluyambi cruise

To really appreciate this wonderful part of Australia though, take a Guluyambi Cruise on the East Alligator River. One of the park’s most spectacular waterways, this Aboriginal interpretative cruise not only shows you the diversity of local flora and fauna but also tells you about traditional uses of plants and animals, and bush skills.  

And if you still haven’t got enough of a croc fix, there is always the Jumping Crocodile Cruise at the Adelaide River Crossing. It doesn’t come much more mass-market tourism than this, and the whole ethics of making crocs jump is questionable, but you’ll definitely see them up close and personal. 

South Australia 

Tammar wallaby on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is renowned for its spectacular scenery and unique flora and fauna.  More than one-third of the island is a Conservation or National Park, and there are five significant Wilderness Protection Areas.  Being an island, it has been protected from feral animals, which makes it one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in their natural habitat.  

Perhaps Kangaroo Island’s biggest treat is Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to around 600 Australian sea lions.  Tourists have the unique opportunity of getting up close and personal with the sea lions through guided walks along the beach. 

Flinders Chase National Park, at the western end of the island, is a 74,000 hectare wilderness home to kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas, echidnas, koalas, platypus, fur seals and many birds, including rare Cape Barren geese.  

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest living bird of prey and one of the largest eagles in the world and can be found in Lathami Conservation Park, where you can also find the endangered glossy black cockatoo. 

Penneshaw, home of Kangaroo Island YHA, is also home to a large colony of Tammar wallabies who are so accustomed to humans, they come out onto the streets at night time for a bit of a look around.  From the YHA you may also get to see the cute little penguins who waddle up from the sea at night to shelter amongst the rocks below the hostel. 

Western Australia 

Diving with whale sharks

From the crocodiles of Kununurra to the whales off Esperance, and all the whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays and quokkas in between, Western Australia is renowned for its diverse range of animals, many only found in this part of Australia.

Whale watching in the pristine waters of the south west is a unique and exhilarating experience. There is a six month season to view these awe inspiring creatures on both their northern and southern migration. In early June, humpback and southern right whales can be sighted along the coast, having left the freezing Antarctic waters for breeding and mating in warmer waters off the WA coast. The world's largest animal, the rare and endangered blue whale, can be sighted in Geographe Bay, just a 3 hour drive from Perth, in October and November.

Monkey Mia

If you want to get closer to the wildlife, you can swim with the dolphins in Bunbury or Rockingham (only an hour south of Perth). To be so close to a wild creature is an experience in itself. Just a short ferry ride from Perth on Rottnest Island you can discover the indigenous colony of quokkas. These furry, kangaroo-like marsupials charm visitors with their friendly interaction and mischievous antics. They are only found in Western Australia and the name quokka comes from the name given to the animal by the Aboriginal people living in the Augusta area of WA.   

Heading up the coast from Perth to Monkey Mia, you have the opportunity to see the famous dolphins. Each morning at sunrise, some of the local pod swim into shore and the rangers give an informative talk about their lives and habitat.  

Further north again, Ningaloo Reef (from Exmouth) has so much stunning marine life to offer, such as sea turtles, coral, and numerous fish species. The two main attractions are swimming encounters with the elusive and magnificent whale sharks, which measure up to 18 metres in length, and viewing manta rays who average 2-4 metres in size. They are both very gentle and are beautiful to watch. Snorkeling with the whale sharks is available from the end of March to the middle of June, whilst the rays frequent Ningaloo Reef all year round.