Where to see Australia’s cutest animals in the wild

Plus, we’ve rounded up some tips from Tripadvisor travelers on the best spots in the country to see these creatures in their natural habitats. Stick around to find out which cuddly critter topped the list and get your heart-eye emojis ready.

As you explore, remember that these are wild animals and should be treated as such. Please do not feed them and keep a safe distance at all times.

Lucky Bay, 770km/478mi south-east of Perth, is home to some of the luckiest ‘roos in the country. These beach bums get to chill out on some of Australia’s whitest sand all day. Visit in the morning or in the late afternoon for your best chance to spend quality time with these friendly marsupials. (They’re probably hiding in the shade and taking a nap in the afternoons when the sun gets too hot—lucky guys.)

“Friendliest kangaroos ever! Beautiful beach. The kids loved playing around... The kangaroos were super friendly and did rounds of the beach so everyone could get photos with them. Must visit this place!” —ja83ke

Nicknamed the ‘Serengeti of Tasmania’ for its vast plains and abundant wildlife, Narawntapu National Park is a great place to meet the native Forester kangaroos. Stroll around Springlawn Nature Walk at dusk to see kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons grazing on the sun-bathed grassland. The park is also home to some incredible kid-friendly hikes including the Archers Knob Trail and Bird Hike Walk, as well as some of the most scenic camping sites on the island. A valid Parks Pass is required for entry.

“Narawntapu is a little-known gem! It is within easy driving distance of Devonport, but is uncrowded and feels remote. The wildlife viewing was easy and amazing. Not only are there several walks on which a variety of animals can be seen, but Narawntapu is one of only a couple of places in Tasmania in which Forester Kangaroos live, and they are in abundance. Early morning and late afternoon into dusk are the optimal times to see them (along with wallabies), and doing so is easy—there are a couple of open fields on which they congregate when it is time to graze. (Be sure to go to both to maximize viewing opportunities.) The sight of large open areas with kangaroos as far as the eye could see is magnificent and not to be missed.” —good4trav

Tassie devils may resemble cute bear cubs but don’t be fooled by their appearance—they are carnivorous marsupials that are also known for their disturbingly loud screams. They are also nocturnal and almost impossible to spot in the wild. But Tripadvisor travelers have had some luck at Maria Island National Park. This off-shore sanctuary is one of the best places to meet Tasmania’s native wildlife—including wallabies, Forester kangaroos, quolls, and the elusive Tasmanian devils. In 2012, 15 devils were introduced on the island to protect them from a facial tumor disease and the population has since grown in size. Keep your belongings close to you—these cheeky devils will steal your food!

“We all did many walks and our kids were young. Between us, we kept them happy and hydrated for a walk of a few hours. The first one was to the painted cliffs—yeh! Brilliant. Gorgeous place to swim and snorkel. Then up to Bishop and Clerk—brilliant views and you can see the dolomite columns. Watch out for wildlife, in particular, the possums. They will come right into your campsite and rummage through garbage bags. Wombats can do the same. Did see some wallabies and the occasional echidna. Tasmanian devils that did not have the facial tumour disease were put on the island... Beware though, they can be aggressive and although they may look cute, they can easily bite your finger off.” —urbandrifter

The inquisitive and highly intelligent Australian sea lion is the world's rarest sea lion species. But visit the Coral Coast of Western Australia and you’ll be able to see large colonies of these playful creatures frolicking in the waters all year round at Jurien Bay Marine Park. For a closer encounter, join a snorkeling tour conducted by Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2020 winners Turquoise Safaris and Sea Lion Charters. You’ll get the opportunity to swim with sea lions in the crystal clear waters of Jurien Bay.

“We saw around five-six sea lions but we stayed for around two hours and they hung around jumping out of the water and playing near whoever was in the water. It was incredible. [Turquoise Safaris’] staff had loads of gear for my little kids like smaller wetsuits, masks, floaties, etc and were very accommodating. The kids didn’t last in the water long so the staff were happy to take them out of the water, get them into towels or clothes and feed them while we adults kept swimming. I’d love to do it again, the sea lions were so fun, like playing with friendly dogs. Definitely recommended.” —fiinternational

If you’re not so keen on swimming, Seal Bay Conservation Park allows visitors to observe a wild Australian sea lion colony from a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. The conservation center also offers guided tours for the whole family to learn more about the habitat and habits of this endangered animal.

“Watching seals in their natural habitat was quite amazing. Our guide, Alex, was very informative. Our children learned quite a bit about seals, and we have been playing family quiz about seals for two nights since we visited the Seal Bay.” —Beena T

This coral cay along the Southern Great Barrier Reef is an important nesting site for the threatened Green and Loggerhead Turtles. November to April is usually considered the best time to visit Heron Island. Nesting season runs from November to March, while hatchlings often start appearing from early January. The magical sight of thousands of baby turtles waddling towards the sea is truly an experience for the bucket list. But don’t worry if you miss hatching season; there’s probably never a wrong time to visit. The waters around Heron Island support a whopping 900 of the 1,500 fish found on the Great Barrier Reef and any snorkeling adventure here will be one to remember.

“We have just returned from a seven-night stay (3-10t Jan) and all five of us (two adults, three kids 11, 9 and 6) were absolutely blown away by the beautiful environment and ecosystem! We saw green turtles hatching, green and loggerhead turtles laying (returning 30 years+ to the beaches they were born on), hawksbill turtles, blacktip reef sharks, lemon sharks, shovel-nosed rays, cowtail rays, eagle rays, epaulette sharks, hundreds of different tropical fish, a coral wonderland and even a hammerhead shark hunting eagle rays, which was an incredible sight…” —Ruth Ellett

Lady Musgrave Experience departing from Bundaberg is also a great option if you’d like to get up close and personal with turtles. They run snorkeling and scuba diving tours to the teeming reefs around Lady Musgrave Island—glass-bottom tours for travelers who prefer not to swim as well as Junior Reef Keeper programs for kids. Many of their onboard crew are also marine biologists who will be able to share everything you need to know about sea turtles and the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.

“We had a fantastic day out with the kids (11 and 10). The ride out was bumpy, but the crew were among the best I have experienced anywhere, very thoughtful, attentive and looked after everyone brilliantly. Once we arrived, it was perfect. Glass bottomed boat tour and a walk on the Island followed by snorkelling in the postcard-perfect lagoon with inquisitive turtles swimming along with us. A day to remember.” —TravelingKiwi

Koalas—arguably Australia’s most iconic animal. This furry friend is best admired from afar in their native habitat, and this small island off the coast of East Gippsland is probably one of the easiest places to spot them. Board a ferry from Paynesville, then embark on the island’s clearly marked Koala Trail. The walk is easy to complete for all ages and winds through a sprawling forest of gum trees. Don’t forget to look up for a glimpse of these cuddly creatures.

“This is such a simple but brilliant little expedition. Take the ferry which goes every 20 mins across the 300m or so stretch of water to the island, then walk through the paths and streets looking at koalas! It’s a small island, no shops at all—just houses, weekenders, and koalas. We took the car on the ferry for $12 (free for pedestrians), did the walk (about 20 mins) and then drove around the island, looking at nice houses, boats, and views. Stayed for about an hour. A great little activity especially for kids, a real hidden gem. There are literally no shops on the island, so take some water.” —Vanmerino

Fairy penguins, also known as little penguins, are the world’s smallest (and possibly also the cutest) penguins. Over 4,000 of them waddle back to their homes among the dunes of Summerland Beach every evening. You can view this adorable spectacle from the Penguin Parade’s fully accessible viewing platforms and boardwalks.

“Well worth doing this with kids. There were thousands of little fairy penguins marching inland after dusk, what an incredible view…” —Penny D

What is it about short-legged creatures that just makes them instantly more adorable? Our runner-up on this list is none other than the wombat, a chonky marsupial that’s native to Australia. While they can be spotted pretty much throughout the country, Cradle Mountain is probably one of the most scenic places to see a wild wombat wandering about its natural habitat.

“If you have young kids, [we recommend] the Pencil Pine hike, which is a 20m/65ft hike from Peppers Cradle Mt. Lodge. Easy 10m/32ft down and 10m/32ft back with the spectacular Pencil Pine waterfalls... If you walk after 5pm when it is cooler, you are almost guaranteed to see wombats. We saw four wombats… they are so adorable especially in the wild.” —vincentlau

And taking the pole position on this list is—without a doubt—the “happiest animal on Earth”, the quokka. How can you resist that cheeky smile! Take a ferry to Rottnest Island from Fremantle, hire a bike, then pedal around the island in search of your Insta-worthy quokka selfie. These photogenic marsupials are everywhere on Rottnest Island and should be easy to spot.

“Some tips we got from Tripadvisor that we were extremely grateful for and wish to pass on: Hire bikes from Pedal and Flipper on the Island… Pedal and Flipper opens on the island at 8:30. The staff are very helpful. There are bikes for all kids ages and also kids seats. They will come to you on the island if you get a flat tire! But best of all the bikes have gears!!!! Essential—Rottnest Island is hilly! Cycling around the island is fun but exhausting—possible for boys aged 8 and 9 who aren't that fit but can bike ride… Children [also] love the quokkas and they are quite tame!” —littlefarm

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