Australia is home to animals found nowhere else in the world, so if you’re after some wildlife experiences that will have you meeting some cute, crazy and unique critters, step this way…
So we have selected some incredible wildlife experiences that will give you the chance to get up close and personal with some of the country’s most iconic, cute, strange and rare species. All creatures great and small – we love ’em all.
Swim with the great eight on the reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of our most iconic locations, stretching 2,300 kilometres along Queensland’s coast, from the tip of Cape York Peninsula in the north, to just above Bundaberg in the south.
While Africa may have its ‘big five’ animals, this ocean habitat is home to the ‘great eight’ – clownfish, giant clams, manta rays, Maori wrasse, potato cod, sharks, turtles and whales.
There are plenty of Great Barrier Reef tour companies that offer single or multi-day snorkelling experiences, each with their own unique opportunities to get up close to these colourful and often entertaining marine creatures.
Reef Magic has just launched a new pontoon floating on the edge of the reef, designed to hold 450 guests. From the pontoon, there are plenty of activities to choose from including a guided snorkel safari led by an expert marine biologist, scuba diving, or even helmet diving. Basically, you wear a contraption much like an astronaut’s helmet, which is connected to the surface via an air-hose that provides oxygen. In the water, explorers walk along a submerged platform for awesome views of the marine life.
Trek the desert with a camel
Camel Trek owner Karen Jane Ellis has worked with camels across Australia for more than 30 years, and her love for camels shines through in her friendly and sustainable approach to the business.
“Camels are intelligent, emotionally aware animals. They remember how they are treated. That’s why every trek we offer is grounded in compassion—not control,” Karen says. “If you’re seeking an experience that honours both animal welfare and human connection, we look forward to welcoming you.”
Join a 5, 7 or 9-day experience led by a knowledgeable team who point out birdlife, flora and fauna as you amble along. Camp out under the stars and experience the true Aussie outback.
Each morning guests are invited to learn how to care for the camels, including skills such as feeding and saddling up, before heading off on a day of riding. The cameleers are with guests every step of the way, ensuring that the camels are behaving, and cooking delicious meals to enjoy around the campfire where you can talk long into the night and make new friends.
Date a meerkat
Walkabout Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Calga was established to care for sick and endangered animals for release back into the wild. Home to 180 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, it’s known as Australia’s largest operational wildlife sanctuary.
The meerkat experience is a highlight and there are three options to choose from – a 10-minute speed date, a 20-minute date and tour of the enclosure, or a 30-minute date and the opportunity to help the meerkat ranger go about their daily tasks.
For anyone wishing to spend more time in the ranger’s shoes, Walkabout Park offers a ‘ranger for a day’ experience, where guests work alongside the rangers as they complete activities such as feeding animals, checking their health, and operating enrichment activities to keep the animals happy and stimulated.
Watch a penguin parade
Phillip Island is an island sanctuary that is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. Discover breathtaking beaches and family-friendly activities bound to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Aside from its reputation as a fantastic day trip, Phillip Island is also home to the largest Little Penguin Colony in the world.
At Penguin Parade Nature Park’s Penguin Parade experience, the specially-built viewing platforms allow guests clear views of the penguins as they arrive from the ocean in the evening and head to their burrows. Or, for an even better view of these adorable animals, the underground viewing bunker is perfect for ‘peering out from a burrow’ and watching the penguins at eye level.
Meet a Tasmanian Devil
Devils @ Cradle is a wildlife conservation facility primarily concerned with protecting the Tasmanian Devil, located on the edge of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park.
Whether watching from the visitors centre, walking through the sanctuary facilities or taking part in a tour, enjoy the unparalleled opportunity of seeing these beautiful and endangered animals up close.
Keeper Tours operate daily, inviting guests to join a keeper as they lead you through the facility and explain the conservation efforts currently underway. On a Joey Encounter, you can meet and pat a young devil, and on an After Dark Feeding Tour, you can watch the devils in action as you learn about their biology, behaviour and threats.
By joining any of these tours, you’ll be supporting Tassie Devils, and keeping the facility operating.
Cuddle a koala
Established in 1970, Australia Zoo is an institution on the Sunshine Coast sprawling over 700 acres and home to more than 1,200 critters great and small.
This renowned zoo, made even more famous due to the late Steve Irwin (aka The Crocodile Hunter) and his wife Terri owning and promoting it. The wildlife hospital here rehabilitates more than 7,000 native animals annually.
There are plenty of experiences on offer, however nothing compares to the fun of cuddling a koala. Snap a picture with these furry Aussie icons while keepers answer all of your questions and talk you through the importance of protecting the koalas’ natural habitat.
Enjoy breakfast with an Alpaca
Iris Lodge Alpacas is a working farm located on the Central Coast in NSW and home to more than 100 alpacas, nine llamas and several sheep, cows and horses.
It’s also an ecological sanctuary that focuses on solar energy, waste management and the use of rainwater to promote sustainability.
On a 2.5-hour alpaca breakfast experience, share a delicious meal with several friendly alpacas while gazing out over the stunning farm surrounds. Dine on bacon, eggs and fresh yoghurt, before feeding the alpacas using a special alpaca mix and learning about their unique (and let’s face it, goofy) personalities along the way. You’ll also get to meet sheep, llamas and the farm’s dogs who are always up for a pat.
For a complete guide to Australia’s best nature and wildlife experiences, click here.
