Australia's Top 16 Animal Encounters You Must Experience at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Continue reading for our curated Bucket List of Australia's Top 16 Animal Encounters You Must Experience at Least Once in Your Lifetime.

For further information including booking tours and getting directions to each of these locations and attractions, click through to the listing on our Aussie Bucket List website or app, and scroll down to the bottom to see their locations pinned on Google maps. You can then easily get directions from your current location to each of the animal encounter attractions listed below.

Australia’s Best Animal Encounter Experiences and Tours

Australia is world-renowned for its unique and diverse wildlife. From kangaroos and koalas to whale sharks and wombats, the country offers unforgettable animal encounters that appeal to nature lovers, families, and adventure seekers alike. Whether on land or in water, these wildlife experiences showcase the incredible natural beauty and biodiversity that Australia is famous for.

1 - Swim with Whale Sharks – Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Image credit: Tourism Australia

One of the most iconic animal experiences in Australia is swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. From March to August, these gentle giants visit the reef’s warm waters, allowing snorkellers to swim alongside the world’s largest fish. Tours operate from Exmouth and provide spotter planes to help locate the whale sharks for a truly awe-inspiring encounter.

2 - Meet Kangaroos on the Beach – Lucky Bay, Western Australia

Image credit: Tourism WA

Few things are more Australian than seeing kangaroos sunbathing on a beach. At Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, visitors can experience this iconic sight up close. The friendly kangaroos are known to laze on the white sands and hop freely around tourists, making for incredible photos and memories.

Add meeting the Lucky Bay kangaroos to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

3 - Koala Encounters – Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland

Image credit: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Located just outside Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary. Visitors can cuddle a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, and learn about Australia’s native species in a safe and ethical setting. It’s a family favourite and a great introduction to Australia’s most iconic animals.

Add Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

4 - Swim with Sea Lions – Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Image credit: Jurien Bay Oceanic

For a playful and interactive wildlife experience, swimming with wild Australian sea lions is hard to beat. These curious creatures love to show off, spinning and flipping in the water. Guided tours depart from Jurien Bay, offering small group excursions that respect the animals’ natural behaviours.

To book or to add Swimming with Sea Lions to your Aussie Bucket List, click HERE.

5 - Tasmanian Devil Night Tour – Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania

Image credit: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

See Tasmania’s most famous carnivore come to life at night on a behind-the-scenes tour at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, just 30 minutes from Hobart. Watch Tasmanian devils feed and interact in a protected environment while learning about conservation efforts to save this endangered species.

6 - Crocodile Cage of Death – Darwin, Northern Territory

Image credit:  Crocosaurus Cove

Swimming with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin is a heart-pounding bucket list experience for thrill-seekers. Inside the “Cage of Death,” you’re lowered into a clear tank with massive saltwater crocodiles, coming face-to-face with these ancient predators in total safety. It’s the only experience of its kind in Australia and offers a rare chance to observe crocodiles up close—snapping jaws, powerful tails, and all—from just inches away. An unforgettable encounter with one of nature’s fiercest reptiles.

Book tickets, purchase a gift card or add Crocodile Cage of Death experience to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

7 - Penguin Parade – Phillip Island, Victoria

Image credit: Phillip Island Nature Parks

Every evening at Phillip Island Nature Parks, hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore after a day of fishing in the ocean. The famous Penguin Parade is one of Australia’s most popular and family-friendly wildlife experiences, offering viewing platforms and boardwalks to minimise impact on the penguins’ natural routine.

8 - Swim with Dolphins – Monkey Mia & Glenelg, WA & SA

Image credit: Temptation Sailing

Swimming with wild dolphins is a magical experience, and Australia offers several ethical ways to connect with these intelligent creatures. At Monkey Mia in Western Australia, bottlenose dolphins have been visiting the shoreline for decades. Visitors can observe and sometimes wade into shallow waters as rangers conduct supervised feeding sessions.

Alternatively, join a dolphin swim tour in Glenelg near Adelaide, South Australia. These boat tours let you snorkel with pods of wild dolphins in the open ocean, offering a natural and non-invasive way to encounter them up close.

To book or add Swimming with Wild Dolphins to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

9 - Snorkel with Manta Rays – Lady Elliot Island, Queensland

Image credit: Lady Elliot Island

Situated on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is a protected marine sanctuary and one of the best places in the world to snorkel with manta rays. These gentle, graceful giants glide through the crystal-clear waters, often coming close to snorkellers without fear. The island is also home to turtles, reef sharks, and vibrant coral gardens.

Add xxx to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

10 - See Platypus in the Wild – Finch Hatton Gorge, Queensland

Image credit: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The elusive platypus is one of Australia's most fascinating creatures, and spotting one in the wild is a rare treat. Head to Eungella National Park near Mackay in Queensland for one of the best chances of seeing these shy, semi-aquatic mammals in their natural habitat. Viewing platforms and guided tours are available along Broken River, where platypus are often seen during early mornings and late afternoons. Finch Hatton and Eungella National Park, located about 90 minutes west of Mackay, is fast earning a reputation as one of the top places on the planet to see wild platypuses. Thanks to the clear, calm waters and well-positioned viewing platforms, it’s one of the easiest spots to catch a glimpse of these shy creatures—no wading required. On one visit, I spotted three platypuses from the same platform in just 10 minutes. It was incredible!

Add Finch Hatton Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

11 - Whale Watching – Gold Coast, Queensland

Image credit: Sea World Whale Watching

From July to November, the east coast of Australia becomes one of the world’s top whale watching destinations. Humpback whales migrate through these calm, sheltered waters on their way to and from Antarctica, often stopping to rest, play, and teach their calves. Whale watching tours offer up-close views of breaching, tail-slapping, and even whale songs via underwater hydrophones.

Books tickets or add Sea World Whale Watching to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

12 - Birdwatching in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Australia is home to over 800 species of birds, and Kakadu National Park is a hotspot for twitchers and wildlife lovers. Wetlands, billabongs, and sandstone cliffs provide a variety of ecosystems where you might spot jabirus, brolgas, rainbow bee-eaters, and sea eagles. The region is also home to crocodiles, wallabies, and agile rock kangaroos.

Add Kakadu National Park to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

13 - Quokka Selfie – Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Image credit: Chris Hemsworth

No Aussie wildlife list is complete without mentioning the quokka, often dubbed “the world’s happiest animal” thanks to its smiling expression. Found almost exclusively on Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Perth, quokkas are famously friendly and not afraid of people. While selfies are popular, visitors are reminded to never touch or feed these adorable marsupials to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Add Rottnest Island to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

14 - Camel Safari – Broome, Western Australia

Image credit: Red Sun Camels

Riding camels at sunset along Cable Beach in Broome is a truly iconic Australian bucket list experience. As the sun dips below the Indian Ocean, you’ll gently sway atop a camel, casting long shadows on the golden sand. The peaceful rhythm, stunning colours, and ocean breeze create an unforgettable moment. With experienced handlers and breathtaking views, it’s a must-do for travellers seeking something unique, relaxing, and utterly photogenic on Western Australia’s spectacular Kimberley coast.

15 - Wombat Watching – Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Image credit: Pen_Ash @ Pixabay

Wombats are stocky, burrowing marsupials that are surprisingly active in the wild—especially in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Early morning and dusk are the best times to see these gentle creatures grazing in open alpine meadows. The park is also home to echidnas, Tasmanian devils, and a range of native birdlife.

Add Cradle Mountain to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

16 - Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef – Queensland

Image credit: Explore Group

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do bucket list experience, offering a front-row seat to the world’s largest coral reef system. Teeming with colourful fish, sea turtles, vibrant corals, and crystal-clear waters, it’s a breathtaking underwater adventure. Whether you explore from Cairns, Port Douglas, or the Whitsundays, the reef promises unforgettable encounters with marine life in a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder. It’s the ultimate way to connect with nature and Australia's iconic coastal beauty.

Add Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

Whether it’s snorkelling with manta rays, watching whales breach, or spotting a platypus in the wild, Australia’s wildlife tours offer world-class experiences that create lifelong memories. These animal encounters are more than just photo opportunities—they connect travellers to the land, inspire respect for nature, and support vital conservation efforts across the country. From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to cuddling koalas and witnessing wild animal behaviour in spectacular landscapes, Australia offers some of the best animal encounter experiences in the world. These ethical tours not only inspire wonder but also support wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism across the country. Many of these tours are led by expert guides and operate under strict ethical and sustainability guidelines, ensuring the welfare of animals and the preservation of their habitats. When planning your next adventure, be sure to include a few of these wild encounters on your Aussie Bucket List.

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We hope that you are able to tick some of these bucket list animal encounters off your Aussie Bucket List very soon! Feel free to browse our other blog posts for further inspiration on travelling Australia.

Article by Samantha Porter - Aussie Bucket List Founder & Travel Writer

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