Australia Things to Do Wildlife Experiences

The 10 Best Wildlife Experiences in Australia (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best wildlife experiences in Australia in 2026 are swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, meeting quokkas on Rottnest Island, walking among sea lions at Kangaroo Island's Seal Bay, whale watching in Hervey Bay and spotting crocodiles on Kakadu's Yellow Water.

Many of Australia's animals are found nowhere else on earth. The best way to see them is in the wild, with ethical operators, or in sanctuaries that rescue and rehabilitate injured animals. Timing matters: whale sharks visit Ningaloo from about March to July, humpbacks pass the east coast from June to November and turtles nest on Queensland beaches from November to March. Most wildlife is active at dawn and dusk, which is also when kangaroos are most likely on the road, so drive carefully.

The list at a glance

Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef Exmouth, Western Australia
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Phillip Island, Victoria
Quokkas on Rottnest Island Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Perth
Sea lions at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Whale watching in Hervey Bay Hervey Bay, Queensland
Yellow Water Cruise, Kakadu Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Turtle nesting at Mon Repos Bundaberg, Queensland
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Brisbane, Queensland
Devils@Cradle Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Kangaroos on Lucky Bay Esperance, Western Australia

1. Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef — Exmouth, Western Australia

Snorkel beside the world's biggest fish on a World Heritage reef.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples · First-timers

Every year from about March to July, whale sharks gather along Ningaloo Reef off Exmouth and Coral Bay. Licensed operators use spotter planes to find them and let small groups snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

Ningaloo is also a fringing reef you can snorkel from the beach, at places like Turquoise Bay, with manta rays, turtles and, from August, humpback whales.

Good to know: Book with a licensed operator and choose a date early in your stay in case of weather.

Exmouth WA 6707

Google Maps

2. Phillip Island Penguin Parade — Phillip Island, Victoria

Little penguins return home across the beach at sunset.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

Every evening at sunset, little penguins (the world's smallest) come ashore at Summerland Beach and waddle to their burrows in the dunes. Viewing stands and boardwalks let you watch from close by.

Phillip Island Nature Parks also runs the Koala Conservation Reserve and the Antarctic Journey on the island.

Good to know: Upgrade to the underground viewing or Penguins Plus platforms for closer views.

1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922

Google Maps Website

3. Quokkas on Rottnest Island — Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Perth

Meet the world's happiest-looking marsupial in the wild.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Budget

Rottnest Island, off Perth, is home to around 10,000 quokkas, small marsupials that live wild all over the island and are famously relaxed around people.

You'll see them around the settlement at Thomson Bay and along the bike tracks. Don't feed or touch them; it's against the law.

Good to know: Take your quokka selfie from a respectful distance; no feeding or touching.

Rottnest Island WA 6161

Google Maps Website

4. Sea lions at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island — Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Walk on the beach among a wild Australian sea lion colony.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

Seal Bay Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island has one of the largest colonies of endangered Australian sea lions. A boardwalk gives views over the beach, and guided tours take you onto the sand among the sea lions.

Kangaroo Island also has kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and goannas.

Good to know: Take the guided beach tour; it's the only way to walk on the sand.

Seal Bay Rd, Seal Bay SA 5223

Google Maps Website

5. Whale watching in Hervey Bay — Hervey Bay, Queensland

Humpbacks resting in calm, sheltered water.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · Couples

From about July to October, humpback whales rest with their calves in the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay on their way back south. The calm water and curious whales make for close, unhurried encounters.

Half-day and full-day cruises leave from the Great Sandy Strait Marina at Urangan.

Good to know: August to October brings mothers and calves, the most playful time.

Great Sandy Strait Marina, Buccaneer Ave, Urangan QLD 4655

Google Maps Website

6. Yellow Water Cruise, Kakadu — Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Saltwater crocodiles and birdlife on a World Heritage wetland.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Couples

The Yellow Water Billabong cruise in Kakadu National Park glides through wetlands full of saltwater crocodiles, water buffalo, wild horses and huge numbers of birds, including jabirus and sea eagles.

The sunrise and sunset cruises have the best light and the most wildlife.

Good to know: Book the sunrise cruise; the birdlife is at its busiest.

Cooinda Lodge, Kakadu Hwy, Jim Jim NT 0886

Google Maps Website

7. Turtle nesting at Mon Repos — Bundaberg, Queensland

Watch loggerhead turtles nest and hatchlings run to the sea.

$ BudgetBest for Families

Mon Repos Conservation Park near Bundaberg is the largest loggerhead turtle nesting site in the South Pacific. Ranger-guided night tours from November to March let you watch turtles lay their eggs and, from January, hatchlings race for the sea.

Tours are limited and sell out, and the visitor centre explains the turtles' story.

Good to know: Book the night tour as soon as bookings open; dates sell out quickly.

Mon Repos Conservation Park, Mon Repos Rd, Mon Repos QLD 4670

Google Maps

8. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — Brisbane, Queensland

The world's first and largest koala sanctuary.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane's west has around 100 koalas, plus kangaroos to hand-feed, platypus and birds of prey. Koala holding is allowed in Queensland, and Lone Pine offers it at set times.

Arrive by the river cruise from the city for the full day out.

Good to know: Take the river cruise from the CBD; it's part of the experience.

708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket QLD 4069

Google Maps Website

9. Devils@Cradle — Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Tasmanian devils up close, at night when they're active.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Devils@Cradle is a conservation sanctuary for Tasmanian devils and quolls at the edge of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. Its after-dark feeding tours show the devils at their noisiest.

Combine it with a walk around Dove Lake, where wombats graze at dusk.

Good to know: Book the night feeding tour; it's the best way to see the devils active.

3950 Cradle Mountain Rd, Cradle Mountain TAS 7306

Google Maps Website

10. Kangaroos on Lucky Bay — Esperance, Western Australia

Kangaroos lounging on one of Australia's whitest beaches.

Best for Couples · Families

Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, about 50 minutes from Esperance, has dazzling white sand, turquoise water and western grey kangaroos that often lie on the beach.

Camp at the bay or visit for the day, and swim in the clear, calm water.

Good to know: Don't feed the kangaroos; human food makes them sick.

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand WA 6450

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to see kangaroos in the wild?

Kangaroo Island, the Grampians, Murramarang National Park's Pebbly Beach and Lucky Bay near Esperance, where kangaroos lie on the white sand. They're most active early and late in the day.

Where can you see koalas in the wild?

Kangaroo Island, the Great Ocean Road around Kennett River and Cape Otway, Magnetic Island and Phillip Island's Koala Conservation Reserve are good bets. In Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the classic sanctuary visit.

When can you swim with whale sharks in Australia?

At Ningaloo Reef, from Exmouth or Coral Bay, from about March to July. Humpback whale swims are also offered there from about August to October.

Can you hold a koala in Australia?

Only in some states. Queensland and South Australia allow koala holding at licensed parks; New South Wales and Victoria do not, but you can get close for photos.

Where can I see Tasmanian devils?

In the wild they're rare and nocturnal. Sanctuaries such as Devils@Cradle near Cradle Mountain and Bonorong near Hobart are the best places to see them, often on night feeding tours.

1. Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef — Exmouth, Western Australia

2. Phillip Island Penguin Parade — Phillip Island, Victoria

3. Quokkas on Rottnest Island — Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Perth

4. Sea lions at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island — Kangaroo Island, South Australia

5. Whale watching in Hervey Bay — Hervey Bay, Queensland

6. Yellow Water Cruise, Kakadu — Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

7. Turtle nesting at Mon Repos — Bundaberg, Queensland

8. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — Brisbane, Queensland

9. Devils@Cradle — Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

10. Kangaroos on Lucky Bay — Esperance, Western Australia

Frequently asked questions

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