Travelling with children in Australia is very easy and an absolute joy. One of the highlights for my daughters has been the opportunity to get up close with the local fauna, both with farm animals and with wildlife so different from what we have in Europe.
Leaving the more alarming ones aside for now, here are a few of the more affable species of Australian wildlife.
Alex found a connection with this gorgeous little koala bear first time we were in New South Wales.
Kids and animals in Australia
Everywhere in Australia, kangaroos abound – and some don’t mind being petted. But some tire of the constant attention. In Steve Irwin’s wonderful Australia Zoo, a grumpy roo pushed Cat away and left her with a scratch mark on her forehead. But then, how many toddlers – outside of Australia – can add a Skippy scratch to their CV?
not the grumpy one
In Victoria, in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne, these crimson rosella parrots were practically tame.
And back in New South Wales, this beauty named Pippa lives in Bateman’s Bay. Alex has all kinds of animal allergies, but not to wombats she was glad to note.
I think the spiny anteater – more correctly known as an echidna – is charming in its own way, but best kept at a certain distance perhaps.
On Phillip Island (also in Victoria), fairy penguins come out of the ocean and walk up to their nests on shore every night as they have for thousands of years. A tourist attraction very much worth seeing. Photography is not allowed as the flash disturbs the little ones and tourists can’t seem to control their cameras.
Have you had close encounters with Australian wildlife?
To see more travel photos, pop over to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday
I never heard of fairy penguins. I wonder what they look like.
And, yes, best stay away from the echidna
Ana O recently posted..The architecture of Downtown Dallas
Fairy penguins are utterly adorable.
I hiked the Cradle Mountain Trail in Tasmania over about 5 days – and every night we had the cute little wallabies visit us at our camp.
Leigh recently posted..Dazzled by the Lake Louise Ice Sculptures
Tasmania is high in my list. Wallabies, too
What a fun time and what delightful photos. I could almost imagine being there and holding one of those cuties. . .well, not the anteater, of course.
Jackie Smith recently posted..Oh, the stories they could tell. . .
Good memories indeed
So cute
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Nightmare – Mimic
I love Australia and her animals – but then I am prejudiced!
budget jan recently posted..Wwoofing Interview – A Ticket to Budget Travel
And rightfully so
Definitely plenty of these animal encounters all over Australia. Koalas and wombats are so sweet!
Andrea recently posted..A Walk In the West Village
Aren’t they… love the peculiar animals of Australia.
Cute animals, even that spiny anteater.
It’s good that your daughter found an animal that she wasn’t allergic to.
InsideJourneys recently posted..The Story Behind the Lucea Clock Tower
Only trouble is, it’s difficult to find a pet wombat in Norway…
I still love it when we see a koala in the wild( which isn’t often!) but I must admit we take seeing kangaroos for granted. Our wildlife can be very cute and different.. Just anther reason to come and visit us!!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..The Children of Jordan’s Al-Amir Village.
One of the thousands of good reasons to visit Australia
My children would love petting a koala. I think we might have a hard time getting them back on the plane to America after that…
EverywhereAmy recently posted..Photo Adventure : My Favorite Alaskan Harbors
Know exactly what you mean
The koala looked so cute. I didn’t realize you could pet them! Kids and animals mix no matter where you are.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..How Gutenberg Changed the World in Mainz
They really do, don’t they…
Wallabies came by our Kangaroo Island cabin every night. And my son also had an altercation with a kangaroo who was tired of all the attention. Your girl looks like she’s enjoying herself.
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders recently posted..Penang Cooking Schools
Wallabies coming by every night – the kid must have loved it. We still haven’t made it to South Australia, but will definitely include Kangaroo Island when we do.
My younger daughter knows very little about Australia apart from the fact that there are kangaroos and koalas there – and that’s reason enough for her to want to visit. Love your photos!
Lisa from Gone With The Family recently posted..This is My Canada
You know, I think it’s a good enough reason to visit, too
Koala bears are just so adorable. They look so innocent and cute. Reminds me of Sam the koala who was saved in an Australian forest fire. Alex must have been happy to hold a wombat without any problems.
Salika Jay recently posted..Passport Safety Tips To Consider For Your Travels
Gotta love wombats
I’ve only encountered Australian wildlife in pubs and zoos. This looks a lot more authentic.
ItalianNotes recently posted..Baked vegetable recipes: Fennel and tomato gratin
Good point; I’ve met a few examples of Australian wildlife in the pubs, too
I’m glad you left the dangerous animals off the list. You make Australia look much friendlier with wombats and koalas.
I too was attacked by a kangaroo when I was a little kid. But I tend to think it’s a rite of passage as a young Aussie
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That’s cool to hear, Michael – a rite of passage for young Aussies, shared by my little Chinese Norwegian. She likes that
I love the photo of Alex with the blue koala! My husband and I visited Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. We got to pet the kangaroos, saw koalas unclose, fed emus, etc. It was an amazing experience, I can just imagine much more so it is for the kids.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Vietnam: The Colorful Hilltribe Market of Bac Ha
Isn’t that just the greatest experience in Australia…
You don’t have to be a kid to get excited about seeing exotic animals.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..The Drunken Tree of Buenos Aires
Very true.
The wildlife in Australia is unbelievably exciting – for grown ups as well as kids! Having wombats and kangaroos wandering through campsites has just been amazing
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..In Commemoration: Visiting Auschwitz
Would love to have these animals casually wandering/hopping about in the neighbourhood every day.
AIex was lucky to get an awake koala that day. After spending most of my life in Australia, I can say that i only ever saw them sleeping! About close encounters, So those are my close encounters, then!!! It IS worth going to Australia, though, as there’s just so much to see, so don’t let me discourage anyone…
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Santiago street shots
We adore visiting Australia, for the wildlife and everything else…