Placental Mammals
There are over 140 terrestrial placental mammals in Australia, with almost all of these being bats or rodents. Bats are the only mammals that can fly and can be split into two main groups; fruit eaters and insect eaters.
The Grey-headed Flying Fox is one of the most common fruit bats and is distributed along the eastern part of the continent and can be seen around the You Yangs and Great Ocean Road. Baby flying foxes can be spotted in ‘maternity camps’ around October. Across Kakadu & Arnhem Land, the Black Flying Fox congregates in large groups and is known to follow the ripening of fruit and the blossoming pollens of eucalypts, Melaleuca Paperbarks and banksias. Little Red Flying Foxes and Blossom Bats can also be seen in this area. Also in Northern Australia, the Spectacled Flying Fox is a common sighting across the Wet Tropics outside of Cairns. Endemic to Christmas Island, the Christmas Island Flying-fox is critically endangered and is the island's only remaining native mammal. It is estimated that there are 2000 individuals left on Christmas Island (compared to 4000 in the 1980s).
Ghost Bats are the second largest insect-eating bat in the world and are characterised by their almost transparent wings and large protruding ears. These bats feed on lizards, birds and large insects. Only 10,000 individuals are left in the wild, with significant colonies present in the Kakadu area. Large and Small Bentwing bats can also be seen in the tropics and eastern coast of Australia, often seen flying in and out of caves or mines at dusk.
Australia’s best-known placental mammal is the Dingo. Fossil evidence suggests that Dingoes, which are a subspecies of the Grey Wolf, arrived with Asian seafarers 3,000-5,000 years ago. They can be heard howling in the early morning and late evening throughout Kakadu & Arnhem Land and the Wet Tropics. Dingoes often hunt in packs and will target kangaroos, wallabies and waterbirds, as well as domestic farm animals such as sheep and calves (young cows). This led to the Australian government erecting the 'dog fence', which stretches more than 5,600km (almost 3,500 miles) across south-eastern Australia. The fence is the longest in the world and is designed to restrict the flow of dingoes into Australia's most productive livestock farming country.
Search for tours including Placental Mammals, using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page or find out more at the tour links below:
Daintree & Cape Tribulation Tour Ultimate Nature, Daintree Exclusive, Three Day ‘Peek’ Kakadu & Arnhem Land, SEIT Red Centre Iconics, East Gippsland Wildlife Journey
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5 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter
From $2,205 USD
5 days/4 nights
5 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter
From $2,205 USD
5 days/4 nights
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,... -
Sydney Wildlife Safari
From $280 USD
Full Day - Sydney
Sydney Wildlife Safari
From $280 USD
Full Day - Sydney
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, you will have the chance to spot Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Emus, wallabies, cockatoos,... -
5 Day Tasmania's Western Wilderness
From $2,160 USD
5 days/4 nights
5 Day Tasmania's Western Wilderness
From $2,160 USD
5 days/4 nights
Explore Tasmania’s incredible alpine regions as well as the wild and rugged west-coast. Visit the famous Cradle Mountain National Park, get close to our icon animal, the Tassie Devil and feel the sea breeze while exploring quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.
Wildlife highlights include the opportunity to see... -
The Maria Island Walk
From $1,920 USD
4 days/3 nights
The Maria Island Walk
From $1,920 USD
4 days/3 nights
This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.
Small groups of maximum 10 guests and 2 guides, will explore the World Heritage Listed island with gentle walks by day and enjoy elegant private accommodation...
Viewing opportunities that include placental mammals
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January,February,December, East Gippsland
East Gippsland - Summer Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Eastern Grey Kangaroo*, Red-necked Wallaby*, Swamp Wallaby* | Koala* | Wombats: Common Wombat* | Rat Kangaroos: Long-nosed Potoroo | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Common Brushtail Possum* | Gliding Possums: Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Feathertail Glider | Ringtail Possums & Greater Gliders: Common Ringtail Possum, Greater Glider | Carnivorous Marsupials: Dusky Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot
Monotremes Platypus* | Short-beaked Echidna*
Placental Mammals Bats: Grey-headed Flying Fox* | Rodents: Bush Rat, Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Smoky Mouse
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
How to find these species
"Grey-headed Flying Foxes are large fruit-eating bats that roost in camps of thousands of individuals during the day near Bairnsdale, which provides great viewing of their diverse social interactions. Most of their babies are born in spring, and by summer the juveniles are quite noticeable, clinging under their mothers arm. Swamp Wallabies prefer denser vegetation of wet eucalypt forests or heaths at this time of year, with their beautiful dark brown or almost black fur a delight to see. The warm evenings also provide the opportunity to see possums and if we are lucky, Yellow-bellied and Greater Gliders in the mature eucalypt forests. These remarkable creatures have a membrane of skin from their wrists or elbows to their ankles, enabling them to glide up to 100 between trees, as they search for insects and nectar to feed upon."Roger Smith, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared, PrivateVenturing across East Gippsland's magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, this four day immersive adventure offers you encounters with an incredible array of species.
Tours in East Gippsland related to Placental Mammals
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September,October,November, East Gippsland
East Gippsland - Spring Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Eastern Grey Kangaroo*, Red-necked Wallaby*, Swamp Wallaby* | Koala* | Wombats: Common Wombat* | Rat Kangaroos: Long-nosed Potoroo | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Common Brushtail Possum* | Gliding Possums: Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Feathertail Glider | Ringtail Possums & Greater Gliders: Common Ringtail Possum, Greater Glider | Carnivorous Marsupials: Dusky Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot
Monotremes Platypus* | Short-beaked Echidna*
Placental Mammals Bats: Grey-headed Flying Fox* | Rodents: Bush Rat, Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Smoky Mouse
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
How to find these species
"The Common Wombat is a resident of the lush East Gippsland forests, with the cool nights in Spring an ideal time to see them. Short-beaked Echidnas are also active at this time, with November being the peak viewing time to see these intriguing animals across East Gippsland. Cool nights and mild sunny days make for perfect conditions for viewing echidnas in the daytime, as they are an animal that cannot tolerate high temperatures. They hibernate in winter and usually breed in spring. Females lay a single egg into a simple pouch in the abdomen about four weeks after mating."Roger Smith, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared, PrivateVenturing across East Gippsland's magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, this four day immersive adventure offers you encounters with an incredible array of species.
Tours in East Gippsland related to Placental Mammals
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Koala
March,April,May, East Gippsland
East Gippsland - Autumn Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Eastern Grey Kangaroo*, Red-necked Wallaby*, Swamp Wallaby* | Koala* | Wombats: Common Wombat* | Rat Kangaroos: Long-nosed Potoroo | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Common Brushtail Possum* | Gliding Possums: Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Feathertail Glider | Ringtail Possums & Greater Gliders: Common Ringtail Possum, Greater Glider | Carnivorous Marsupials: Dusky Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot
Monotremes Platypus* | Short-beaked Echidna*
Placental Mammals Bats: Grey-headed Flying Fox* | Rodents: Bush Rat, Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Smoky Mouse
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
Suggested tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared, PrivateVenturing across East Gippsland's magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, this four day immersive adventure offers you encounters with an incredible array of species.
Tours in East Gippsland related to Placental Mammals
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March,April,May, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Kakadu & Arnhem Land - Autumn Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Agile Wallaby*, Black Wallaroo, Antilopine Wallaroo*, Common Wallaroo, Wilkins' (Eastern Short-eared) Rock Wallaby | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Northern Brushtail Possum* | Carnivorous Marsupials: Northern Quoll, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Fawn Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Northern Brown Bandicoot
Monotremes Short-beaked Echidna
Placental Mammals Bats: Black Flying Fox, Little Red Flying Fox*, Ghost Bat, Blossom Bat | Rodents: Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Long-tailed Mouse, New Holland Mouse, Broad-toothed Rat | Dingo
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
How to find these species
"After the end of the wet season we see more Black Wallaroo joeys taking shelter across the rocky escarpments and Antilopine Wallaroos in larger mobs across the Savanna woodlands. Little Red Flying Foxes also give birth to young around April and can be seen at dusk. Occasionally we see Northern Brown Bandicoot and Brush-tailed Phascogale around our camp at night. Dingos sightings are more common across Kakadu and Arnhem Land after the wet season, as they prey on Agile Wallabies and other small mammals."
Sab Lord, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure
Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Type: Private Charter
Departs: On requestThe World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet and the combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests and river mangroves make this one of the world's great birdwatching sites, with over 280 species found across the region.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Placental Mammals
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June,July,August, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Kakadu & Arnhem Land - Winter Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Agile Wallaby*, Black Wallaroo, Antilopine Wallaroo*, Common Wallaroo, Wilkins' (Eastern Short-eared) Rock Wallaby | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Northern Brushtail Possum* | Carnivorous Marsupials: Northern Quoll, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Fawn Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Northern Brown Bandicoot
Monotremes Short-beaked Echidna
Placental Mammals Bats: Black Flying Fox, Little Red Flying Fox*, Ghost Bat, Blossom Bat | Rodents: Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Long-tailed Mouse, New Holland Mouse, Broad-toothed Rat | Dingo
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
How to find these species
"We see Agile Wallabies across the floodplains and creek beds at this time due to the lower availability of food and fresh water. The Wilkins’ Rock-Wallaby is a popular sighting amongst the rocky hills and escarpments with it’s distinct grey, brown and white markings on its head and sides. The Black Flying Fox, Little Red Flying Fox and Blossom Bat congregate in groups following the ripening of fruit and the blossoming pollens of eucalypts, melaleuca paperbarks and banksias."
Sab Lord, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure
Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Type: Private Charter
Departs: On requestThe World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet and the combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests and river mangroves make this one of the world's great birdwatching sites, with over 280 species found across the region.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Placental Mammals
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September,October,November, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Kakadu & Arnhem Land - Spring Sightings for Land Mammals & Marsupials
Marsupials Kangaroos & Macropods: Agile Wallaby*, Black Wallaroo, Antilopine Wallaroo*, Common Wallaroo, Wilkins' (Eastern Short-eared) Rock Wallaby | Brushtail Possums & Cuscuses: Northern Brushtail Possum* | Carnivorous Marsupials: Northern Quoll, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Fawn Antechinus | Bandicoots & Bilbies: Northern Brown Bandicoot
Monotremes Short-beaked Echidna
Placental Mammals Bats: Black Flying Fox, Little Red Flying Fox*, Ghost Bat, Blossom Bat | Rodents: Swamp Rat, Water Rat (Rakali), Long-tailed Mouse, New Holland Mouse, Broad-toothed Rat | Dingo
* Denotes sighting chance as high or common
How to find these species
"As water dries up, we get many more Agile Wallabies around creeks and billabongs, putting them at greater risk of being ambushed by Saltwater Crocodiles and Dingoes. Antilopone Wallaroos also gather in greater numbers around the Savanna woodlands and grasslands and in the escarpments, the Wilkins’ Rock Wallaby nibbles on the ripening fruits of the Screw Pine from September onwards.
With a bit of luck, a number of nocturnal animals can be seen at dusk around our camp including the Northern Brown Bandicoot and Brush-tailed Phascogale. Almost one-third of all Australian bats are found in Kakadu with opportunities to see numerous species flying at dusk to catch insects, including the Black Flying Fox, Little Red Flying Fox, Ghost Bat and Blossom Bat."
Sab Lord, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure
Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Type: Private Charter
Departs: On requestThe World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet and the combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests and river mangroves make this one of the world's great birdwatching sites, with over 280 species found across the region.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Placental Mammals
