Where to see Australia's adorable animals

1. Snorkeling with sea lions Off the coast of Eyre Peninsula, you'll find a group of curious and friendly wild Australian sea lions that love interacting with humans. While these intelligent marine mammals can be spotted along the southern coast of Australia, joining a tour with Calypso Star Charters is the best way for nature enthusiasts to experience this dream adventure. As you swim through calm shallow waters, sea lions will play and dive nearby, and might even blow bubbles at your snorkeling mask. 2. Snap a photo with smiling quokkas If there's one Australian animal guaranteed to make you smile, it's the quokka. Just a 90-minute ferry ride from Perth, Rottnest Island is home to these adorable creatures. Explore the island on foot or by bike to observe these furry residents. Quokkas are nocturnal, so they're easiest to spot around bushes and grassy areas at dusk. Remember, while they're friendly, they are still wild animals, so interact with care. 3. Spot snoozing koalas Eastern Australia's eucalyptus forests are home to one of the sleepiest residents—the koala. Did you know these marsupials sleep up to 22 hours a day? Raymond Island, located 3.5 hours east of Melbourne, is one of the best places to visit koalas. A 2-kilometer Koala Trail winds through fragrant eucalyptus trees, where you can spot these relaxed creatures in their natural habitat. 4. Cuddle a baby kangaroo Kangaroos thrive in Australia's diverse habitats, with their population nearly double that of humans! From serene beaches to deserts, you'll have plenty of opportunities to see them. At the Kangaroo Sanctuary near Alice Springs, you can cuddle rescued baby kangaroos and learn how to care for and protect them. Guided sunset tours also provide insights into rescuing injured wildlife. 5. Encounter waddling wombats Meeting wombats often requires patience and a bit of luck. These burrowing animals are skilled at blending into their surroundings and are most active at night. However, on Maria Island, wombats are so abundant that visitors joke about tripping over them. A 30-minute ferry ride from Triabunna on Tasmania's east coast will take you to the island, where you can observe wombats, hike, and explore convict history. 6. Spot elusive platypuses Searching for platypuses in the wild requires some strategy. Visit their habitats at dawn or dusk and remain absolutely quiet while observing. The best option is to join a guided tour with experts. Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours, departing from Cairns, takes you into the world's oldest tropical rainforest to track signs of platypus activity. 7. Encounter echidnas Echidnas are shy yet charming Australian animals. These unique egg-laying mammals are known for their excellent digging skills and slow, waddling gait. At Healesville Sanctuary in Yarra Valley, you can find echidnas wandering through the Koala Forest, searching for grubs, ants, and worms. For a closer experience, book the Echidna Experience tour to feed them alongside park rangers. 8. Swim with wild dolphins Australia's extensive coastline is home to at least 14 species of dolphins. To swim with these incredible marine athletes, join Dolphin Swim Australia tours for a world-first experience—strap on a safety harness and be towed by a slow-moving catamaran to swim alongside wild dolphins. Playful dolphins dart around the boat just meters away from you. Tours depart from Port Stephens, a 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney. 9. Meet Tasmanian devils Despite their cute appearance, Tasmanian devils earned their name from their eerie growls, grumbles, and howls. These nocturnal carnivores can only be found in the wild in Tasmania, and they're notoriously elusive. a sanctuary near Cradle Mountain, is dedicated to preserving these loud marsupials. You can join a nighttime feeding tour to observe them in action or participate in the Joey Encounter Tour to learn about devil joeys. 10. Watch penguins return home At dusk, Phillip Island, located two hours south of Melbourne, becomes a stage for the world's smallest penguins as they waddle ashore in large groups, filling the beach. After a long day of fishing, these tiny penguins return from the sea to their nests. While little penguins can be seen along Australia's southern coast from Tasmania to Western Australia, Phillip Island boasts the largest colony. Visit between December and February to hear the chirping of baby penguins in their nests.