Australia is a wildlife destination like no other; it is home to some of the most diverse and unique animals on the planet, and offers countless opportunities for both wildlife lovers and wildlife photographers to experience the natural world. Join us on our journey, as we two wildlife-crazy amateur photographers travel across Australia’s East Coast from Daintree to Melbourne. We hope our wildlife photography can inspire you to add some of these remarkable destinations to your Australian wildlife bucket list!
Here are 10 of our favourite Australian wildlife photos…
Koala: Home to the largest population of koalas in Queensland, Magnetic Island is a haven for wildlife. This is of one of 7 koalas we saw in one day exploring the Forts Walk track (see our Ultimate Guide to Seeing Koalas on Magnetic Island).
Eastern-Grey Kangaroo: Kangaroos are arguably the pinnacle of Australian wildlife. They are Australia’s most iconic animal and can easily be found in many locations across the East Coast. Look out for open grassland and forested coastal areas for the best chance at spotting Australia’s national animal! Jervis Bay, to the south of Sydney, is a great place to start your search!
Wombat: Wombats are some of the most intriguing and charismatic wildlife you are likely to encounter in Australia. These large boulder-esque creatures can be seen emerging from their underground burrows in the evenings in certain areas along the East Coast. This photograph was taken at Bendeela Recreation Area, a hotspot for wombats near to Sydney. Check out how to see wombats from Sydney here!
Humpback Whale: The winter time marks the beginning of one of Australia’s truly magnificent wildlife spectacles – the humpback whale migration. During this period, from May to November, over 25,000 humpback whales will pass along the East Coast in order to breed. There are some amazing viewpoints along the coast where you can see them from land – or alternatively you can join a whale watching boat tour to get up close and personal!
Cassowary: If you need to be reminded that we still have the descendants of dinosaurs living amongst us, look no further than the cassowary. These rainforest-dwelling giants are the planet’s second heaviest birds, standing at around 6ft tall and up to 80kg. We found cassowaries both in the Daintree Rainforest and Etty Bay – jump in your car and head on a slow drive along the quiet roads of Daintree to spot these magnificent creatures, but don’t forget to check out the boardwalks winding through the rainforest too! If beaches are more your thing, head to Etty Bay for a sunbathe and the chance to spot cassowaries! See our Guide to Finding Wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest!
Saltwater Crocodile: You cannot visit Australia as a wildlife enthusiast without seeing some crocs. As soon as you get up into Northern Queensland or into the Northern Territory, you are well and truly in croc country! Here is a shot we took of a gigantic salty hiding in amongst vegetation on the Daintree River.
Laughing Kookaburra: Kookaburra’s are one of Australia’s most iconic birds, and produce one of the most charismatic “laughs” in the bird world. Known as the laughing kookaburra, these massive kingfishers are a treat to see.
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins: Explore many of the pristine coastlines of the East Coast, where pods of dolphins play in the azure waters. Dolphins occur year round in Australia so there is no limit to when you can see them. Head to a high point if you want a far-reaching view and chance to spot dolphins from land!
Little Penguin: Maybe surprising to many – Australia is home to penguins! Little penguins or “fairy penguins” are the world’s smallest species of penguin and can be found in Melbourne. These penguins can be spotted year-round, returning from the ocean every evening before sunset.
Allied Rock-Wallaby: Magnetic Island isn’t only home to adorable koalas. There is also a beautiful colony of allied rock-wallabies at Geoffrey Bay that are best spotted around sunrise and sunset! Just remember, despite their friendliness these are wild animals and should not be fed! Check out our guide to seeing Rock Wallabies on Magnetic Island!
Find more Australian Wildlife: If you are interested in seeing some of Australia’s best wildlife in person, check out our Australia Wildlife & Travel Destination Guides, including guides to finding flying foxes and wombats in Sydney, and how to see koalas on Magnetic Island. As well as plenty more of our Australian wildlife photography!
