Know Before You Go: Australia Tours

Australia is one of the few places on Earth where travelers can see egg-laying mammals, tree-dwelling kangaroos and flightless rainforest birds on the same journey. Separated from other continents for millions of years, Australia is a living laboratory of evolution, producing wildlife found nowhere else on the planet.

The continent is best known for its marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, pademelons and Tasmanian devils. Many of these species evolved to fill ecological roles occupied by very different animals elsewhere in the world. Australia is also home to the platypus and echidna, the world's only surviving monotremes—mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

Wildlife encounters vary dramatically across Australia's diverse habitats. In the tropical rainforests of Queensland, travelers may search for the southern cassowary, a towering bird often described as one of the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. On Kangaroo Island, sea lions rest on sandy beaches while koalas nap in eucalyptus trees overhead. In Tasmania's forests, wombats emerge to graze at dusk and Tasmanian devils patrol the undergrowth after dark.

Australia's surrounding seas are equally rich. The Great Barrier Reef supports thousands of marine species, including sea turtles, reef fish, rays and seasonal visitors such as humpback whales. Along the southern coast, dolphins, fur seals and Australian sea lions thrive in nutrient-rich waters shaped by the Southern Ocean.

Will I See Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia?

Kangaroos are often seen grazing in open grasslands, national parks and private reserves throughout southern Australia, Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. Koalas are commonly spotted resting in eucalyptus trees on Kangaroo Island, along the Great Ocean Road and in other protected habitats across southern Australia.

Can I See a Platypus in the Wild?

Yes. Australia is one of the few places on Earth where travelers can search for wild platypuses in their natural habitat. Although shy and elusive, they are regularly observed in locations such as Tasmania and the Atherton Tablelands of Tropical North Queensland.

What Wildlife Can I See in Tasmania?

Tasmania protects some of Australia's most intact wildlife habitat and is one of the best places in the country to search for endemic species.

Wildlife commonly seen in Tasmania includes:

• Tasmanian devils

• Spotted-tail and eastern quolls

• Wombats

• Platypuses

• Echidnas

• Pademelons

• Wallabies

• Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles

What Marine Wildlife Can I See on the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems. Stretching more than 1,400 miles along Australia's northeast coast, it supports thousands of species of fish, corals and marine animals. Snorkeling and boat excursions offer opportunities to observe this remarkable marine environment while learning about ongoing reef conservation efforts. Wildlife commonly encountered on the reef includes:

• Sea turtles

• Reef fish

• Rays

• Reef sharks

• Giant clams

• Dolphins

• Seasonal humpback whales

What Birds Are Unique to Australia?

Australia is home to more than 800 bird species, including many found nowhere else on Earth. From tropical rainforests to coastal wetlands and arid Outback landscapes, birdlife is an important part of the country's biodiversity.

Notable species include:

• Southern cassowary

• Glossy-black cockatoo

• Galah

• Rainbow lorikeet

• King parrot

• Black swan

• Australian pelican

• Various honeyeaters, parrots and raptors

What Wildlife Is Active at Night?

Many of Australia's most intriguing animals are nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn, dusk or during the night. Species often encountered during evening wildlife outings include:

• Tasmanian devils

• Quolls

• Possums

• Pademelons

• Wallabies

• Wombats

• Echidnas

Why Is Conservation Important for Australia's Wildlife?

Australia is home to thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth, yet many native animals face ongoing pressures from habitat loss, invasive predators, changing fire regimes and climate change. Across the country, conservation organizations, Indigenous communities, researchers and private landowners are working to protect wildlife and restore critical habitat.

Travelers may encounter these efforts firsthand. In Tasmania, conservation programs are helping safeguard Tasmanian devils, whose populations have been severely reduced by a contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Breeding, monitoring and reintroduction programs are central to the species' recovery.

On Kangaroo Island, habitat restoration and species recovery initiatives support native wildlife including the endangered glossy-black cockatoo. Long-term conservation efforts have helped stabilize populations through habitat protection, nest-box programs and ongoing monitoring.

Private reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and rewilding projects also play an important role by restoring habitat, controlling invasive species and creating safe refuges for native wildlife. Along the Great Barrier Reef, conservation efforts focus on protecting coral ecosystems, monitoring reef health and supporting marine species including sea turtles and seabirds.

For many travelers, these conservation stories add another dimension to the wildlife experience, revealing both Australia's remarkable biodiversity and the ongoing work required to protect it.