There are many great reasons to visit Western Australia, but one thing you may not be aware of is just what a wealth of wildlife it has. There’s always something new for us to discover.
Marvelous marsupials
What’s the first animal you think of when you picture Australia? For me, it’s a kangaroo. There are two species to be found in Western Australia – red kangaroos and Western grey kangaroos. The former are the biggest marsupials to be found today and can reach more than six feet in height and 175 pounds in weight. Drivers should be cautious as they have a habit of wandering onto the roads without much care. The plus side of this fearless behavior is that it’s easy to see them up close, though you should exercise caution as they can be aggressive if they feel threatened.
The kangaroo’s smaller relative, the wallaby, is represented in Western Australia by the black footed wallaby, which is rare but can sometimes by spotted in remote, rocky places. Still smaller bilbies are easy to spot for those willing to be patient and quiet. There’s also the numbat (or walpurti), a handsome striped marsupial anteater that is the emblem of Western Australia.
Reptiles galore
The most impressive reptile in Western Australia is, indisputably, the crocodile. The freshwater species are generally non-aggressive and can be found in impressive numbers around Lake Argyle and along the state’s major creeks and rivers. Saltwater crocodiles are mostly found along the Kimberley coast but sometimes make their way inland. Bigger and surprisingly fast on land, they will cheerfully eat humans and should not be approached without a knowledgeable local guide on hand to deal with any problems. Seeing them in the wild is a truly thrilling experience, however!
There are more than 400 other species of reptile in the state, including a profusion of snakes. Many are venomous, so I wouldn’t recommend approaching them too closely unless a guide advises that it’s safe, but they tend to be shy, so the risk of stumbling upon them accidentally is pretty low. Also hard to spot, but fascinating, is the thorny devil (or moloch), a lizard that looks like a miniature dragon. The bungarra, meanwhile, grows to an impressive size for a lizard, over four feet in length, and can sometimes be seen climbing trees.
Sea life
One of the most famous marine sites on the Western Australian coast is Ningaloo Reef, where snorkelers can see amazing coral formations and the fish that swim among them. Whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world, regularly visit the reefs to feed on plankton. When I was there, I joined a guided group and swam among these gentle giants – a truly breathtaking experience. Humpback whales, reef sharks, manta rays, dugongs and turtles can also be seen in the area.
You can get up close and personal with wild dolphins at Monkey Mia, where they come right up into the shallows to allow visitors to hand-feed them fish. This is supervised by rangers – it’s very unwise to try and feed a dolphin without supervision, or to touch or chase a dolphin. Sometimes they approach swimmers elsewhere along the coast; if this happens you should stay still to avoid scaring them.
Bird life
Western Australia also has an abundance of avian life, including giant flocks of wild, brightly-colored budgerigars, parrots, finches and lorikeets. If you hear a mysterious voice shouting at you from a tree, it may be a bird that has learned some words of English. Striking black necked storks and other wading birds can be seen in the coastal wetlands, while wedge-tailed eagles soar across the desert plains.
Accommodation
Although there’s no shortage of comfortable modern hotels in Perth, many visitors keen to see wildlife prefer a more immersive experience. Fortunately, Western Australia has a lot of small settlements where it’s possible to stay in close proximity to wild animals – in fact, the remoteness of some of these places can be quite disorientating for newcomers. Take the plunge and you’ll be rewarded with remarkable views of nature at large.
Getting around
The easiest way to reach Western Australia is to fly to Perth International Airport. Flights.com makes it simple to find your nearest option for a flight, though in some cases a stopover en route will be necessary or recommended. The best way to get around within the state is to hire a car, and when going to remote places it’s always advisable to carry spare petrol and repair equipment. For those who don’t fancy driving, there are lots of organized bus tours that head out from Perth for the smaller cities and towns, and these often come with guides who are experts in spotting wildlife.
Australia’s natural history is full of surprises for visitors. A trip to this fascinating state will give you wildlife experiences you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
