Where to see wild animals in Queensland

There’s no better place to introduce yourself to Australia’s native fauna than Queensland. The Sunshine State is not only home to a cluster of outstanding zoos, but some heart-stopping wildlife encounters, with a chance to get up close and personal with these native inhabitants in their natural habitat.

From reef to rainforest, when it comes to where to see wild animals in Queensland, you can’t beat the following opportunities. Just don’t forget that for the most part you are asked to keep your distance.

Dingoes

In terms of our national wild dog, K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) is a mecca of sorts. It’s here on the world’s largest sand island that dingoes roam, offering plenty of potential to catch them in their natural habitat. While you’re often lucky enough to spot one as you get better acquainted with the slew of natural landmarks on this beautiful part of the Fraser Coast, you have a stronger chance to see them as a part of a specialised overnight tour - try Nomads, Dingo’s, Drop Bear Adventures or Fraser Explorer.

Rock Wallabies

When it comes to where to see these wild animals in Queensland, you have a few options up your sleeve. Rock Wallabies are particularly plentiful up the northern end of the state - they’re one of the draw cards of Granite Gorge National Park, an hour’s drive east from Cairns. Or off-shore, near Townsville, you’ll find an equally abundant colony on Magnetic Island right by Geoffrey Bay - they tend to socialise at dusk.

Wallabies

Older cousin the wallaby, is equally popular to socialise with in the Sunshine State. Make for a truly memorable occasion and share your sunrise (or sunset) with these leg-heavy creatures with a visit to Cape Hillsborough. The national park on Mackay’s outskirts has become famous for its wallaby enouncters, which sees the local population descend onto the sandy shoreline at daybreak, alongside a cluster of kangaroos.

Cassowaries

When it comes to where to see wild animals in Queensland, there may be no species more popular than cassowaries. The third largest bird species in the world, this native animal stretches up to two metres in height and 60kg in weight. With a population of just about 4000 in the wild you can find them in the rainforest of the aptly titled Cassowary Coast, two hours south of Cairns, where Mission Beach resides.

Whales

Depending on the time of year you visit, whales are a common sight in the waters off Queensland. Hervey Bay, as the world’s only Whale Heritage Site, is the best place to catch humpbacks in the wild. Join an experienced crew for a day swimming with the giants of the deep, like Whalesong Hervey Bay, Tasman Venture, Blue Dolphin Marine Tours, or Sunreef Mooloolaba.

Further north off the Great Barrier Reef you’ll have a chance to dive with Dwarf Minke Whales instead - Mike Ball Dive Expeditions comes highly recommended.

Platypus

One of the most shy residents of the Australian bush is the platypus. If you’re very lucky you’ll be able to spot them on your own accord in quiet waterways in regional areas, like Broken River in Eungella National Park near Mackay. Though it’s often far easier to rely on abilities of experts to find these adorable natives, like Rainforest Scuba, the world’s first forest diving experience. In Cairns, the nocturnal Wait a While Rainforest Tours are also on hand.

Turtles

Turtle enthusiast? The Sunshine State is home to six of the world’s seven marine species - if you’re after where to find these wild animals in Queensland look no further than Bundaberg. It’s here that Mon Repos resides, where more than half of the Southern Hemisphere’s loggerhead turtle population nest during hatching season.

Out to sea at Lady Musgrave Island is another turtle-drenched opportunity with the Lady Musgrave Experience, while those on the Gold Coast will find a chance to snorkel with turtles courtesy of Watersports Guru. Want to be involved? Work at a turtle rehabilitation centre with No Limit Adventures’ new Wildlife Conservation Program.

Grey Nurse Sharks

Perhaps sharks hold more appeal and you’re not sure where to find the wild animals in Queensland? Wolf Rock Dive Centre on Rainbow Beach is your best bet. The devoted team here will take you to the neighbouring dive site of the same name where you’ll greet packs of whale nurse sharks alongside wobbegongs, leopard sharks and even bronze whaler sharks. Keep in mind this spot is for advanced divers only.

Crocodiles

If crocodiles pique your interest you’ll need to make your way to the northern half of the Sunshine State. It’s among the Daintree where the majority of croc-focused tours reside, where boats will lead you down the river and get you better acquainted with our local saltwater and freshwater crocodile population. You’ll find yourself in good hands with Daintree River Cruises, Daintree Boatman Nature Tours, Solar Whispers, Snapping Tours of Innisfail, or Croc and Crab Tours in Karumba.

Glow worms

When it comes to where to see wild animals in Queensland, it’s not just large fauna that we’re talking about. There are plenty of opportunities to get a good look at our much smaller native friends. There are glow worms galore at the Undara Lava Tubes in North Queensland, which can be explored with Wildlife at Sunset Tour on site.

Further south, the Australian Day Tours by JPT Tours will sweep you off to the Natural Bridge Glow Worm Tour in the depth of the Gold Coast Hinterland’s Springbrook National Park. These aren’t the only limits for people happy to cave-dive of course - the Bat Cleft at the Mount Etna Caves is home to thousands of little bent-wing bats.