Coming to Australia many visitors would like to have a close up look at the native fauna, So where do you go to see them? We have listed a number of attractions below and would be happy to work out itineraries and cost for you. Our experts are familiar with all areas and offer the best possible advise and cost. You can contact Patricia Gordon at patricia@thetravelcatalyst.com
Koalas – Kangaroo Island has a great number of Koalas but you will only see them up in a tree. If you want to hold them, take a photo with them, cuddle them you need to go to Queensland and one of the main operators if the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala anytime, handfeed kangaroos and encounter a large variety of Aussie wildlife, all in beautiful, natural settings. Check them out at: http://www.koala.net/
Platypus – has a well earned reputation for being shy and difficult to spot. However, in Tasmania in the town of Latrobe you can go on a guided platypus walk through the Warrawe Forest Reserve and you have a close to 100% chance of seeing them. Guided tours are led by local Landcare members for a $ 10 donation ( children are free). Want more information? Go to: http://www.latrobe.tas.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=267&c=166
Penguins – The Phillip Island parade is the most well known spot to see little penguins walk across the sand. Boardwalks and enclosed viewing areas and grandstand viewing is in my opinion just a bit too much. I recommend the Ultimate Tour which takes small groups to a secluded beach that the penguins march past en route to their burrows. The cost is $ 72 but worth it, you support the penguins at the same time. Have a look; http://www.penguins.org.au/
Whales – You can watch whales along Australia’s east coast from July to October but Hervey Bay, a couple of hours north of Brisbane is the ultimate destination for the whales so going there you’ll visit them on their holiday grounds. This ensures a captive population and very easy viewing. Normally there are up to 100 whales in the area during that period. Further details at: http://www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au/
Tasmanian Devils – where else but Tasmania ! There are quite a few wildlife parks where you can see these cute devils but for a real experience the King’s Run Wildlife Tours is the way to go.
Kings Run Wildlife Tours are based in the far North West of Tasmania, Australia and focus on interpretive tours of Geoff Kings 830 acre coastal property. (Approximately the same size as New York's Central Park)
The main feature of Kings Run is its nocturnal wildlife. The former pasture areas are now a marsupial lawn grazed by large numbers of wallaby as well as wombat and bandicoot. These animals in turn support healthy populations of the world's largest carnivorous marsupials, Tasmanian Devils and Spot Tail Quolls. With the co-operation of the Tasmanian Nature Conservation service Geoff has developed a method of viewing the Tasmanian devil in the wild. (His agreement with the Conservation Branch states that he only operates 5 nights per fortnight & not more than 3 nights in a row)
There are no roads on the property only sandy tracks; devils traverse these tracks during their nightly search for food. A scent trail is dragged along these sandy tracks to a rustic fisherman's hut to view the devils that generally arrive within a few hours of sunset. The devils extraordinary senses of smell & hearing do not detect the guests watching in candlelight through a window as the animals feed on a road kill relocated from a local road. A devil restaurant as such where it's safe for them to eat! http://www.kingsrun.com.au/
Dolphins – Commercial show at Seaworld on the Gold Coast, an hour south of Brisbane. Wild but regulated populations at Monkey Mia in Western Australia and Tangalooma Island, just outside Brisbane. However, at Baird Bay, approx. 8 hours drive from Adelaide you can swim with them. This is Ocean Eco Tourism at its best and is highly recommended by many national and international visitors. Unfed, untrained and in naturally wild conditions, where the "Lions of the sea" choose on their own accord to interact with you as they wish. Take the time and delight in the antics of a truly great Australian mariner. http://www.bairdbay.com/
Sharks – Head for Port Lincoln, a 40 minute flight from Adelaide or 7hours drive and board the Calypso Star Charter for a 1-day Shark Cage Diving Charter. This is an Australian First & only available in Port Lincoln. They are ideal for people with limited time or budget and best of all NO diver qualification is required! Details at http://www.calypsostarcharter.com.au/
Turtles – From November to April turtles come ashore along Queensland’s coast for their annual egg-laying. Two of the best places to observe them is Heron Island and Mon Repos Conversation Park just outside Bundaberg ( about 5 hours drive north of Brisbane or a short flight). http://www.heronisland.com/ or http://www.bundabergregion.info/
Kangaroos - No we did not forget them. They are all over Australia but most visitors arrive or depart from Sydney and here is an opportunity to see them in the wild. We take you into the Australian bush to see the wildlife in its natural setting. There are several options available so check it out at: http://www.boutiquetoursaustralia.com.au/
Koalas – Kangaroo Island has a great number of Koalas but you will only see them up in a tree. If you want to hold them, take a photo with them, cuddle them you need to go to Queensland and one of the main operators if the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala anytime, handfeed kangaroos and encounter a large variety of Aussie wildlife, all in beautiful, natural settings. Check them out at: http://www.koala.net/
Platypus – has a well earned reputation for being shy and difficult to spot. However, in Tasmania in the town of Latrobe you can go on a guided platypus walk through the Warrawe Forest Reserve and you have a close to 100% chance of seeing them. Guided tours are led by local Landcare members for a $ 10 donation ( children are free). Want more information? Go to: http://www.latrobe.tas.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=267&c=166
Penguins – The Phillip Island parade is the most well known spot to see little penguins walk across the sand. Boardwalks and enclosed viewing areas and grandstand viewing is in my opinion just a bit too much. I recommend the Ultimate Tour which takes small groups to a secluded beach that the penguins march past en route to their burrows. The cost is $ 72 but worth it, you support the penguins at the same time. Have a look; http://www.penguins.org.au/
Whales – You can watch whales along Australia’s east coast from July to October but Hervey Bay, a couple of hours north of Brisbane is the ultimate destination for the whales so going there you’ll visit them on their holiday grounds. This ensures a captive population and very easy viewing. Normally there are up to 100 whales in the area during that period. Further details at: http://www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au/
Tasmanian Devils – where else but Tasmania ! There are quite a few wildlife parks where you can see these cute devils but for a real experience the King’s Run Wildlife Tours is the way to go.
Kings Run Wildlife Tours are based in the far North West of Tasmania, Australia and focus on interpretive tours of Geoff Kings 830 acre coastal property. (Approximately the same size as New York's Central Park)
The main feature of Kings Run is its nocturnal wildlife. The former pasture areas are now a marsupial lawn grazed by large numbers of wallaby as well as wombat and bandicoot. These animals in turn support healthy populations of the world's largest carnivorous marsupials, Tasmanian Devils and Spot Tail Quolls. With the co-operation of the Tasmanian Nature Conservation service Geoff has developed a method of viewing the Tasmanian devil in the wild. (His agreement with the Conservation Branch states that he only operates 5 nights per fortnight & not more than 3 nights in a row)
There are no roads on the property only sandy tracks; devils traverse these tracks during their nightly search for food. A scent trail is dragged along these sandy tracks to a rustic fisherman's hut to view the devils that generally arrive within a few hours of sunset. The devils extraordinary senses of smell & hearing do not detect the guests watching in candlelight through a window as the animals feed on a road kill relocated from a local road. A devil restaurant as such where it's safe for them to eat! http://www.kingsrun.com.au/
Dolphins – Commercial show at Seaworld on the Gold Coast, an hour south of Brisbane. Wild but regulated populations at Monkey Mia in Western Australia and Tangalooma Island, just outside Brisbane. However, at Baird Bay, approx. 8 hours drive from Adelaide you can swim with them. This is Ocean Eco Tourism at its best and is highly recommended by many national and international visitors. Unfed, untrained and in naturally wild conditions, where the "Lions of the sea" choose on their own accord to interact with you as they wish. Take the time and delight in the antics of a truly great Australian mariner. http://www.bairdbay.com/
Sharks – Head for Port Lincoln, a 40 minute flight from Adelaide or 7hours drive and board the Calypso Star Charter for a 1-day Shark Cage Diving Charter. This is an Australian First & only available in Port Lincoln. They are ideal for people with limited time or budget and best of all NO diver qualification is required! Details at http://www.calypsostarcharter.com.au/
Turtles – From November to April turtles come ashore along Queensland’s coast for their annual egg-laying. Two of the best places to observe them is Heron Island and Mon Repos Conversation Park just outside Bundaberg ( about 5 hours drive north of Brisbane or a short flight). http://www.heronisland.com/ or http://www.bundabergregion.info/
Kangaroos - No we did not forget them. They are all over Australia but most visitors arrive or depart from Sydney and here is an opportunity to see them in the wild. We take you into the Australian bush to see the wildlife in its natural setting. There are several options available so check it out at: http://www.boutiquetoursaustralia.com.au/
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