Nature

Australia is a country with a massively diverse and iconic wildlife. With 550 national parks, 15 World Heritage sites, a coastline that stretches for 50,000 km and beaches totalling 10,000 km, this is a continent ruled by  the majesty of nature. Spectacles range from ancient rainforests to snow-capped mountains and the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Most Aussie wildlife is endemic to Australia - in fact 83% of its mammals, 89% of its reptiles, 90% of its fish and insects and 93% of its amphibians are only found here.

This is because 50 million years ago, Australia broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana, so its flora and fauna have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world ever since.

Kangaroo

One of Australia’s most unique and recognisable mammals, the kangaroo is not found anywhere else. There are an estimated 40 million wild kangaroos in Australia, more than when Australia was first settled. There are four main species, and about 50 closely related cousins, including dozens of types of wallaby.

Like all native Australian mammals they are marsupials, which means they give birth to very tiny young who do most of their growing in an external pouch, rather than in utero.

According to popular myth, the name ‘kangaroo’ came from the phrase ‘ I don’t understand you’ in the Guugu Yimithirr language, from when Captain Cook pointed to one of these animals and asked a local Aborigine what it was.

Koala

Found in the coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, the koala survives solely on eucalyptus leaves and spends most of its time sleeping – three out of its five waking hours are dedicated to eating! Eucalyptus leaves are low in calories, so there’s not a lot of energy to spare.

Saltwater crocodile

The largest species of crocodile in the world, the adult male saltwater crocodile can grow to a length of 4.8 metres. They are generally found only in the northern reaches of Australia, and are called ‘salties’. They are probably the most dangerous species on Australian soil – so don’t do a Steve Irwin and try to catch one.

Their cousins, the Freshwater crocodile (freshie) are not considered dangerous.

The little penguin

All penguin species live south of the equator, and the Little Penguin is the only species that breeds on mainland Australia. There are many beaches where you can sit and watch them waddle home at dusk. Watching their lurching, squabbling, tuxedo-clad bachelor parties in the dunes is a very entertaining and endearing sight.

Snakes

Australia is the only continent where venomous snakes outnumber the count of non-venomous snakes. There are several families of snake found in Australia, and the most venomous species are from the Elapidae family, and include the Fierce Snake, the Eastern Brown Snake, the Taipan and the Eastern Tiger Snake.

However, they are found mainly out in the bush or outback, and are generally very shy of humans. If you do see a snake, first of all consider yourself fortunate because not everyone does get to see one – and second, perhaps more importantly, move calmly in the opposite direction and do not try to touch or attack it.

Sharks

Australia is home to the world’s biggest fish, the toothless whale shark, which often patrol Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef between April and June. Swimming with these bus-sized gentle giants is a treat for the select few.

Sharks can be found all over the world, and Australia’s waters boast 166 species, including three of the most dangerous varieties: the bull shark, tiger shark and the great white.

Flora

Australia supports 25,000 species of plants, compared to just 17,500 in Europe, and there are over 12,000 species of wildflowers in Western Australia alone! Indeed Western Australia is famed for its springtime show of wildflower blooms.

There are also a number of the unique ‘living fossils’, such as the Wollemi pine and the grass tree, that have survived unchanged since the dinosaurs roamed.

Australia’s top 10 Deadliest:

1. Box jellyfish
2. Irukandji jellyfish
3. Saltwater crocodile
4. Blue-ringed octopus
5. Stonefish
6. Redback spider
7. Brown snake
8. Tiger snake
9. Great white shark
10. Funnelweb spider

Plan your unforgettable wildlife experience.

Find out more about Australian fauna.