With heaps of native animals, Australia is an animal lover’s paradise. No matter the state, territory, or island, it’s sure to be full of fascinating creatures that’s only found in the Land Down Under. There are numerous spots in Australia where you can see native Australian animals. Some popular choices are:
- Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos: throughout Australia, there are numerous wildlife parks, sanctuaries, and zoos where you can see a wide variety of cute animals up close, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and many others.
- National parks and reserves: Australia is home to a diverse range of cute and fascinating animals, including echidnas, quokkas, and wombats.
- Coastal regions: many of Australia's coastal regions are home to adorable marine animals such as dolphins, penguins, and sea lions.
- Outback areas : even in Australia's arid outback regions, cute animals such as bilbies, bandicoots, and wallaroos can be found.
While it may be tempting to get close to these adorable animals for photos and interactions, it is critical to respect their natural habitat and avoid causing any harm or disturbance to their environment.
Although Australia has gained a reputation for being home to many deadly animals, it also boasts some of the most adorable creatures on the planet. From icons like koalas and quokkas to lesser-known charmers like echidnas and sugar gliders, here are 10 cute Australian animals you can't miss:
1. Koalas - one of Australia's most beloved animals, thanks to their cuddly appearance and adorable nose
2. Quokkas - a.k.a the world's happiest animal
3. Wombats - Australia's incredibly cute, chubby marsupials
4. Wallabies - no these aren't kangaroos
5. Penguins - known for their adorable waddle
6. Sugar Gliders - Australia's favourite gliding marsupials
7. Echidna - often mistaken for hedgehogs
8. Dolphins - friendly creatures often called the geniuses of the ocean
9. Jellyfish - Australia's most mesmerising marine animal
10. Meerkats - a mischievous mob that also dwell in Australia
1. Koalas - one of Australia's most beloved animals, thanks to their cuddly appearance and adorable nose
With their grey fur, big, fluffy ears, and large nose, koalas are not just one of the most well-known cute Australian animals, they can actually only be found (in the wild) in the country’s east. Although they may look as cute as a teddy bear while they’re sleeping soundly on a tree, they’re not actually bears. Like kangaroos, they’re marsupials who have pouches where their babies can grow.
See them in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve! Go on a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island and get an up-close look at the local koalas. You’ll see that most of them are napping while you’re there since koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day, but you can still take lots of cute photos next to them.
2. Quokkas - a.k.a the world's happiest animal
When you see this cute Australian animal IRL, it’s hard to hold back a smile. Quokkas, with tiny arms, are always grinning from ear to ear, making them the perfect selfie partner. But be careful not to touch them! They’re friendly and likely to approach people but they’ve been known to bite unsuspecting visitors. They’re also the size of a domestic cat, so they’re bigger than you might expect. Wait for them to approach you before you get close and snap a photo with the mini wallabies.
Quokkas are only found in select locations in Western Australia, including Rottnest Island, which is less than an hour away from Perth. The best way to see them is to go on a Rottnest Island tour, where you’ll discover the island’s gems on top of seeing the cute creatures face to face.
3. Wombats - Australia's incredibly cute, chubby marsupials
Photo Credit: pen_ash on Pixabay
Wombats may not be as famous as kangaroos or koalas but they’re just as lovable with their short legs and cuddly body. In fact, they also have pouches to develop their babies just like other marsupials. Like their closest living relatives (koalas), they’re mostly found in the eastern part of Australia. What sets them apart from the other Aussie critters is their use of butts to defend themselves against predators — yes, really.
See these fluffy animals and their big booties for yourself at the Symbio Wildlife Park in Sydney! Meet Millie the Wombat and other adorable animals at the zoo. You can even take it up a notch and feed these cute Australian animals yourself.
4. Wallabies - no these aren't kangaroos
Photo Credit: sandid on Pixabay
At first glance, you’ll probably think they’re kangaroos but if you look closely, you’ll notice the differences between wallabies and kangaroos are pretty noticeable. Wallabies are much smaller, and fluffier, and their coat are typically lighter. Like lots of other cute Australian animals, they’re also marsupials with pouches full of joeys.
Meet these hopping marsupials when you visit the Sydney Zoo! Find these yellow-footed rock-wallabies situated near the wombat. Some like to keep to themselves, while others are friendlier and more likely to approach visitors.
5. Penguins - known for their adorable waddle
Cute Australian animals aren’t limited to marsupials or mammals. There are also adorable birds, like penguins, to meet in the Land Down Under as well. While there are penguins in Antarctica, these little penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world and they’re only found in Australia and New Zealand. Their average height is 33 cm (13 in), around a third of the height of an Emperor penguin.
The best way to watch these tiny animals in action is to watch the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. The island is home to over 40,000 penguins, making it the largest colony of Little Penguins in Oz. After dusk, you can see the aquatic birds emerge from the water and make their way to their colony. It’s a show you won’t want to miss!
6. Sugar Gliders - Australia's favourite gliding marsupials
Photo Credit: Timur Garifov (@timgarifov) on Unsplash
With big eyes and even bigger ears, sugar gliders are among the cutest animals from Australia. These pocket-sized mammals can also fly as high as 50 meters (165 feet). Native to the forests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and of course, Australia, these creatures are also marsupials like roos and wallabies.
Want to see them take flight? Head to the Taronga Zoo and you might get a chance to see a glider training session in action where they’ll spread their “wings” and coast from one point to another.
7. Echidna - often mistaken for hedgehogs
Photo Credit: pen_ash on Pixabay
Don’t let the spikes fool you. These spiked creatures are echidnas, not hedgehogs. And the “spikes” are actually just long and tough hair follicles that they use to help them climb rocks. Despite their spiky appearance, they’re more adorable than intimidating when you see them waddling through the ground and looking for food with their long noses. Echidnas are endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
For a truly immersive experience, visit the Australia Zoo and take part in the Spiky Little Echidna Encounter. You’ll get a chance to hand-feed them and if you’re lucky, they might even crawl on your lap.
8. Dolphins - friendly creatures often called the geniuses of the ocean
Friendly and playful, dolphins are among the cutest Australian animals that dwell in water. Plus, they’re smart and do tricks as well. Found in oceans all over the world, they’re normally spotted in the wild doing back flips, spins, and leaps together. Dolphins also live up to 40 years, so there’s a chance that you might be seeing the same animals that you saw when you were a kid.
Watch them do acrobatic stunts in their natural habitat when you go on a dolphin watching cruise along Jervis Bay. The bay is home to over a hundred bottlenose dolphins, so there’s a good chance you’ll see the animals interacting with each other. Keep your eyes peeled for seals and turtles as well.
9. Jellyfish - Australia's most mesmerising marine animal
Photo Credit: ToniLynMuller on Pixabay
Another aquatic creature you have to see in person is the jellyfish. To see them move gracefully across the water is a visual treat because of their colorful flesh that appears to be glowing. Just like dolphins, they’re found in oceans all over the world and Australia has its fair share of them. Although they only live less than a year, scientists have found that they’ve been around for years, even before dinosaurs!
They might be pretty but they sting. The best and safest way to admire these creatures is in a controlled environment like in the Cairns Aquarium. Admire different species of jellyfish, like the moon, box, and upside down jellyfish, floating along the massive glass aquarium.
10. Meerkats - a mischievous mob that also dwell in Australia
Photo Credit: quhl on Pixabay
Hakuna matata! There are no problems when there’s a cute meerkat around. Nothing is more adorable than when you see their bushy fur, small face, and mini ears in person. It’s even better when you spot them standing up only using their hind legs like a tiny human. They’re omnivores but their favorite food is insects.
These adorable animals can be found in Botswana and South Africa but you don’t have to go all the way to Africa to meet meerkats. Come face to face with the cute animals in Australia! At Werribee Zoo, you can join the Meerkat Encounter for an immersive experience with the entire mob. Learn about the conservation efforts straight from the professional ranger.
For all things animals, there’s no better place to be in Australia. From fluffy mammals and smiling marsupials to adorable aquatic animals, you’re spoilt for choice. What are you waiting for? Head to the Land Down Under to see these cute creatures in person.
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