Experiencing Australian wildlife in their natural habitat is both thrilling and rewarding. In these untouched environments, you can immerse yourself in nature and observe animals as they go about their daily lives.
One of the most iconic experiences for travelers to Australia is encountering kangaroos in the wild. Let us introduce you to seven of Australia's best wildlife tour operators across four Australian states to make this unforgettable experience a reality for you.
- Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
- Kangaroo Island, South Australia
- Riverland, South Australia
- East Gippsland, Victoria
- Mungo National Park, New South Wales
- Southern Highlands, New South Wales
- Maria Island, Tasmania
Where to see Kangaroos in South Australia
Eyre Peninsula with Australian Coastal Safaris
South Australia's Eyre Peninsula is famous not only for its quality seafood and thrilling marine wildlife encounters, such as swimming with Australian Sea-lions and cage diving with Great White Sharks, but also for being an excellent spot to observe kangaroos in their natural habitat.
Thousands of Western Grey Kangaroos reside throughout the region, and Australian Coastal Safaris will take you to some of the top hotspots. One such destination is the 29,000-hectare Lincoln National Park, which features a mix of coastal and inland landscapes. This park offers a wide diversity of wildlife species, including Long-nosed Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions, emus, goannas, and Western Grey Kangaroos. Another popular stop is Mikkira Station. Although best known for its population of koalas found snoozing in the treetops, wild but placid kangaroos casually hop around in this beautiful setting. The property is also a bird hotspot, with trees filled with honeyeaters, robins, and wrens, while emus roam between them.
Western Grey Kangaroo in Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Image: Australian Coastal Safaris
Featured wildlife tour - Port Lincoln Wildlife Encounters (2D/2N)
This incredible two day adventure combines the best terrestrial and marine protected areas across the region including Lincoln National Park, Coffin Bay National Park, Big Swamp, Mikkira Station and Mount Dutton Bay Conservation Park. There is an abundance of seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, parrots (including the beautiful Port Lincoln Parrot) and raptors including Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagles, with Western Grey Kangaroos, Emus, Koalas and Rosenberg’s Goannas a delight for visitors travelling from around the globe.
Kangaroo Island with Exceptional Kangaroo Island
With a name like Kangaroo Island, you would expect to find kangaroos there, right? Spot on. Australia's third largest island is home to a large population of kangaroos - specifically, the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo. It is a sub-species of the mainland Western Grey Kangaroo, and through an extended period of isolation has evolved to become unique enough to deserve it's own name.
"Our kangaroos are very distinctive. You'd pick them out of the lineup of other kangaroos in Australia mainly because they're quite a distinctive color. They're more of a chocolate brown, and all their points — their muzzle, their paws, their tail, their ears — are black."
Craig Wickham - Guide at Exceptional Kangaroo Island
While Kangaroo Island Kangaroos are found right across the island, there are some parts which have higher densities, and better environments for close-up encounters. Local operators Exceptional Kangaroo Island know just where to find them, often requiring a little walk through the bush where kangaroos and wallabies spend the day keeping cool in the share - and for the sake of the Tammar Wallabies, out of sight of the Wedge-tailed Eagle!
A pair of Kangaroo Island Kangaroos on the north coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Image: Exceptional Kangaroo Island
Featured wildlife tour: Kangaroo Island In Style (2D/1N)
Discover what makes Kangaroo Island such a celebrated region, as you experience the Island's history, ecology, landscape, contemporary lifestyle, regional produce and incredible wildlife offerings. Key species regularly encountered are Koalas, Tammar Wallabies, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, endangered Glossy Black Cockatoos, Short-beaked Echidnas, Australian Sea-lions, Long-nosed Fur-seals, Rosenberg's Goanna (warmer months) and a variety of bush birds, shorebirds and seabirds.
Riverland with Murray River Trails
The Murray River, Australia's longest river, flows from the Australian Alps in New South Wales and Victoria to the Southern Ocean off the South Australian coast. Along its journey, it traverses a variety of habitats, each with its unique charm. However, the Riverland region around Renmark in South Australia stands out for its exceptional diversity and rich biodiversity, offering an incredible mix of landscapes perfect for a wide range of experiences and encounters.
Renmark is the heart of South Australia's Riverland region, and local operator Murray River Trails operate two multi-day experiences in the region to showcase the landscapes, wildlife encounters and local produce. Key wildlife encounters along the river include koalas, Western Grey Kangaroos, Lace Monitors, and a plethora of birdlife such as emus, spoonbills, pelicans, and kites. Excursions away from the riverbank can reveal additional kangaroo species like Red Kangaroos, and very rarely, Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
A solitary Red Kangaroo on the plains adjacent to the Murray River in South Australia. Image: Murray River Trails
Featured wildlife tour: Murray River Safari (4D/3N)
Experience the diverse wildlife offerings where Australia's river oasis meets the outback. This multi-activity wildlife safari along Australia's greatest river includes guided walks, canoeing, an outback drive and open back cruising, combined with luxurious houseboat accommodation and superb dining including local wines. Spot Koalas, Western Grey and Red Kangaroos, Australian Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, Black Swans and Darters from the comfort of a private pontoon cruiser.
Where to see Kangaroos in Victoria
East Gippsland with Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
East Gippsland, located in the eastern corner of Victoria where the South Pacific Ocean meets the Southern Ocean, offers an unparalleled diversity of ecosystems within a concentrated area. This region features lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, pristine rivers and estuaries, and white sandy beaches. It is one of the few places in the world with an unbroken chain of forest stretching from the alps to the sea, providing critical sanctuaries for many iconic species such as Superb Lyrebirds, Powerful Owls, King Parrots, Eastern Whipbirds, Satin Bowerbirds, and various honeyeaters. Mammals include Koalas, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, wallabies, possums, gliders, wombats, Platypus and Short-beaked Echidnas.
Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, founded in 1993, aims to bring people and wildlife together for mutual benefit. They offer multi-day tours that immerse guests in the region's natural beauty, with a focus on observing iconic species such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Koalas, Echidnas, Swamp Wallabies, and a variety of parrots, honeyeaters, and seabirds. These tours include walks through local forests, providing ample opportunities to witness these animals in their natural habitat and enriching guests' understanding and appreciation of East Gippsland's diverse wildlife.
Eastern Grey Kangaroos in East Gippsland, Victoria. Image: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
Featured wildlife tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey (4D/3N)
This four day tour explores East Gippsland's magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, offering you encounters with an incredible array of species including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, koalas, gliders, wallabies, Lace Monitors, Short-beaked Echidnas and an array of birds such as King Parrots, Eastern Whipbirds, and the fascinating Superb Lyrebird.
Where to see Kangaroos in New South Wales
Southern Highlands with Sydney Bespoke Tours
New South Wales offers a variety of landscapes perfect for spotting kangaroos in their natural habitat. The Southern Highlands, located approximately 110 kilometers (70 miles) southwest of Sydney, is particularly renowned for its wildlife. This region is home to the Great Western Wildlife Corridor (GWWC), a critical link for wildlife migration between the southern Blue Mountains World Heritage area and Morton National Park. Visitors to this corridor can expect to see Eastern Grey Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, lizards, bushbirds, and amphibians.
Sydney Bespoke Tours, operating since 2009, specializes in unique wildlife viewing experiences in the Southern Highlands. With an abundance of parks, forests, coastline, and natural attractions, the team provides both diurnal and nocturnal wildlife encounters.
A mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the Southern Highlands, New South Wales. Image: Boutique Wildlife Tours
Featured wildlife tour: Sydney Wildlife Safari (Full Day)
Venture to the pristine bushland of the Southern Highlands, just 90 minutes from Sydney, to observe several of Australia's most iconic species in the afternoon and evening! With the help of a knowledgeable and passionate Naturalist Guide, travellers will have the opportunity to spot Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Koalas, Red-necked Wallabies, Platypus and some of the 260 bird species that call the area home.
Mungo National Park with Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
Located in southwestern New South Wales, Mungo National Park is approximately 875 kilometers (544 miles) west of Sydney and 580 kilometers (360 miles) northwest of Melbourne. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Willandra Lakes Region, an area encompassing 2,400 square kilometers (930 square miles) and incorporating seventeen dry lakes. Renowned for its striking arid landscapes and rich biodiversity, the park is home to two of Australia's five species of great kangaroos, offering visitors the chance to encounter Red Kangaroos, Western Grey Kangaroos and occasionally Eastern Grey Kangaroos in their natural habitat. Additionally, the park hosts many rare and beautiful parrots, birds of prey, reptiles, and a diverse array of arid land flora.
In addition to the experiences offered in East Gippsland, Victoria, wildlife tour operator Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours also provides opportunities to explore the unique landscapes and wildlife of Mungo National Park.
A Red Kangaroos with Galahs in the foreground at Lake Mungo, New South Wales. Image: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
Featured wildlife tour: Private Mungo Outback Journey (4D/3N)
Be captivated by the expansive red sand plains and dunes, riverine ecosystems of the famous Murray and Darling Rivers and the arid land ecosystems around Lake Mungo. Spot Kangaroos, Emus, Pink Cockatoos, several parrot species including Mulga, Red-rumped, Mallee Ringnecks and Blue-bonnets, raptor birds including the Wedge-tailed Eagle and several species of lizard basking in the sun.
Where to see Kangaroos in Tasmania
Maria Island with The Maria Island Walk & Premier Travel Tasmania
World Heritage Listed Maria Island, off Tasmania's east coast, is renowned for its historic ruins, stunning bays, rugged cliffs, and exceptional fossils. The island became a National Park in the 1970s, transforming it into a sanctuary for rare birds and animals, including the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote and a healthy population of Tasmanian Devils. For many visitors, the highlight is the island's thriving wildlife, largely undisturbed by human activity. The island known for it's extraordinary marsupial encounters - specifically Common Wombats, and Forester Kangaroos.
"The island is nicknamed Noah's Ark because in the 1960s a variety of threatened species, such as Cape Barren Geese and Forester Kangaroos, were introduced to the island for their own protection. You really have to come here to understand just how much wildlife is around."
Holly Schorta - Guide at The Maria Island Walk
The Maria Island Walk showcases the serene and remote beauty of Maria Island, emphasizing natural wildlife encounters paired with exceptional hospitality. Designed as a soft adventure experience, the walk features light packs, gourmet food, Tasmania's finest wines, and comfortable beds each night, making it accessible to most. With a maximum of ten guests led by two professional guides, the walk ensures a personalized and intimate experience. This approach fosters a deep connection between walkers and guides, continuing its legacy of world-class service and unforgettable natural beauty.
Premier Travel Tasmania has been offering refined encounters with nature across the 'island state' for over 20 years. With around forty percent of Tasmania's land protected by national parks and reserves, the company connects guests to the quintessential essence of Tasmania. Their tours showcase diverse flora and fauna, pristine wilderness, rich heritage, gourmet food and wine, and local characters. They offer extended vehicle-based tours across the entire island state, with a visit to Maria Island as a highlight of their multi-day itineraries. Guests take a ferry from Triabunna in the morning, spend the day exploring the island, and return to the mainland to continue their journey north to the Freycinet Peninsula.
A mob of Forester Kangaroos on Maria Island. Image: The Maria Island Walk
Featured wildlife tour: The Maria Island Walk (4D/3N)
This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food. As a vital location for numerous threatened and endangered species, Maria is now an island sanctuary and one of the best places in Australia to observe Common Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Cape Barren Geese, Forester Kangaroos, Bennett's Wallabies and 125 species of birds; including all of Tasmania's endemics, the beautiful Swift Parrot and the endangered 40 Spotted Pardalote.
Featured wildlife tour: 5 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter (5D/4N)
Tasmania, Australia's island state, provides a rare opportunity to encounter unique and endemic wildlife. Renowned as a prime area for marsupial spotting, Tasmania is a crucial habitat for many species, including quolls, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and the most famous resident, the Tasmanian Devil. Experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge.