Australia is best known for koalas and kangaroos, but what are some other native Aussie critters?

When people think about Australian animals, they tend to think of kangaroos and koalas. These native animals are a fascinating sight to see if you’re not used to spotting them in the wild.

While kangaroos and koalas should be on your list of animals to spot in Australia, there are a few more native critters to add to the list!

What animals are native to Australia?

There are lots of animals and species native to Australia, but here are ten of the most common ones that travellers try to see.

1. Kangaroo

Kangaroos are marsupials, which means that they have a pouch. There are different species of kangaroos, which vary by location. They can be found across the country of Australia, including small towns, islands, and the beach. However, they stray from cities as there isn’t much green space for them to lounge.

2. Koala

Koalas are another marsupial native to Australia. They are only found in the wild in the eastern and southeastern states of Australia. They mainly live in eucalyptus forests because they mostly eat eucalyptus. They are also nocturnal, so they are often sleeping during the day. Heaps of our tours include koala spotting, including this Great Ocean Road tour!

3. Wombat

Wombats are indeed another native Australian marsupial. They are mostly found in southern and eastern Australia. They are also found in Tasmania. One fascinating fact about wombats is that a group of them is called a “Wisdom”.

4. Echidna

Echidnas are fascinating in that they can be found all across Australia. They don’t stick to one specific habitat, so you can find them on a snowy mountain or in the arid desert. You’ll likely spot one of these creatures when visiting Australia, as they can also be found in city suburbs.

5. Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian Devil can only be found in the forests of Tasmania. It is likely that they once roamed across the mainland, but due to hunting and predators, their natural home is only in Tasmania. They can be difficult to spot in the wild as they are nocturnal and often hunt during the night.

6. Platypus

Platypuses live in the eastern part of Australia and Tasmania. They are the most aloof of any mammal in the world. You’ll be lucky to spot one of these creatures in the wild, as they are quite shy. The best time to try and spot them is at dusk or dawn.

7. Emu

Emus live naturally all over Australia except for Tasmania. Like many other animals, they tend to avoid crowded areas, so you won’t ever see one in the city. They live in eucalyptus forests, desert shrubs, sand planes, and woodlands.

8. Wallaby

Wallabies are one of the other well-known native Australian marsupials. Wallabies and kangaroos occasionally get mistaken for one another. However, the wallaby is a different species with shorter legs amongst other differences. They tend to live in remote areas surrounded by lots of trees across Australia.

9. Dingo

Dingoes are native Australian animals that look very similar to dogs. They can be seen throughout Australia, except for Tasmania. The most common places to spot dingoes are on Fraser Island.

10. Little penguin

Little penguins are found on the southern coast of Australia and in Tasmania. They are the tiniest penguins in the world and are adorable. One of the most popular ways to view the little penguins is on a Phillip Island tour, where you can catch the famous penguin parade!

Now that you know more about some of Australia’s native wildlife, keep an eye out and spot them like an expert!

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward began with a passion for travel and turned it into a thriving tourism business. He co-founded Sightseeing Tours Australia after starting out as a tour guide in Melbourne. Cameron delights in helping visitors get the most from their trip to Australia. Whether he's leading tours or writing about his favourite places, Cameron loves sharing his local insight with fellow travellers.

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