5 Incredible Wildlife Experiences to Have in Australia at Least Once

From lush rainforests and underwater wonderlands to the rugged outback, Australia’s natural playgrounds are as diverse as the wildlife that occupy them. Whether you’re a burgeoning David Attenborough or are simply looking for a way to reconnect with nature, these are some of the best – and most exclusive – wildlife experiences around the country.

Watch killer whales on the hunt in Western Australia

Naturaliste Charters takes up to 3500 passengers to the deep-sea gorge of Bremer Canyon, 70 kilometres off the WA coast, in its 23-metre catamaran between December and April each year. On the way, they regularly encounter sperm whales, striped dolphins, blue sharks, “super pods” of up to 400 long-finned pilot whales and seabirds, including wandering albatrosses. But the undisputed star of the show are the 300 or so orcas that form the largest-known congregation in the Southern Hemisphere. On the popular all-day Killer Whale Bremer Bay Expedition, you’ll spend the 90-minute voyage from the coast observing the marvellous animals while listening to the crew describe the complex social dynamics of the pods. That leaves five hours at Bremer Canyon to spot as much wildlife as possible. Marine biologists are also on board to answer questions as are photographers to help record the day’s events, including capturing underwater footage.

Spot native wildlife on a walk through the Tasmanian wilderness

On Maria Island – a car-free land mass just a 30-minute ferry ride from Tasmania’s east-coast town of Triabunna – golden-haired wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and endangered Tasmanian devils roam free, earning it the nickname ‘Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark’. Complete the four-day guided walk to spot 300-million-year-old fossil cliffs, stands of majestic blue gums and sleep in rugged bush camps and Bernacchi House, part of UNESCO World-Heritage-listed convict site Darlington Probation Station.

See pink cockatoos soar overhead in NSW

Echidna Walkabout’s six-day conservation tour begins in Mildura, Victoria, right on the border to NSW. From here, you’ll venture into the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park to spy elusive bird species, including the Mallee emu-wren, before heading to Mungo National Park in south-west NSW, a World Heritage Area that is considered the oldest human living site on earth. Here, you’ll spot majestic pink cockatoos, kangaroos and emus wandering over the red sand plains and take part in research projects that help to protect this fragile environment.

Amble through the outback in search of crocs in the Northern Territory

Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris' three-day custom tour from Darwin offers a backstage pass to the Top End. Prepare to have up-close (but not too close) encounters with Saltwater crocodiles, watch Jacana birds walk across water, spot buffalo ambling across the vast floodplains, gain rare access to the region’s most impressive First Nations rock art sites and sleep under the stars in a private bush camp.

Snorkel alongside turtles in the Great Barrier Reef

Immerse yourself in the abundant beauty of the Frankland Islands, a cluster of five uninhabited islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off the coast of Queensland. On an exclusive all-day experience with Frankland Islands Reef Cruises, you’ll encounter sea turtles, octopus, colourful fish and the occasional reef shark while you snorkel, paddleboard or kayak in the crystal-clear waters of this archipelago. The tour includes return transfer from Cairns CBD, a guided walk around Normanby Island and a beachside buffet lunch.