Kangaroos And Wallabies Near Cairns
Of all the unique animals in Australia, the kangaroo may be the most famous. Not far behind in terms of popularity is the wallaby, a smaller relative of the kangaroo. Travelers in Australia dream of seeing these fascinating marsupials, mainly because they cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
Kangaroo and wallaby populations are widely-spread across the Australian continent. If you're heading north to Cairns, the so-called Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, you may be wondering if you can see kangaroos or wallabies during your time here. The answer is yes! From local nature parks and wildlife sanctuaries to out in the wild, you can definitely see the most iconic Aussie creatures while visiting Cairns.
Kangaroos And Wallabies Near Cairns
There are many places to see kangaroos and wallabies near Cairns, including wildlife parks and out in nature. Like any wild animal, spotting a kangaroo or wallaby out in nature is much harder than just visiting a park or sanctuary. Though kangaroos and wallabies are much more easily spotted than other elusive species such as platypus or koalas, they are still unpredictable and wild. If you really want to see some local wildlife in Cairns, your best bet is to visit a wildlife park!
We'll list some of the best places to see kangaroos and wallabies near Cairns. All of these local businesses take the conservation and protection of their animals seriously! At the end of the article, we'll also give some tips for spotting animals in the wild near Cairns. Again, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed unless you visit a nature park.
See these furry creatures on one of these tours!
Rainforestation Nature Park
Just outside Cairns lies the beautiful jungle village of Kuranda. Here you can find the Rainforestation Nature Park, which is one of the places to see kangaroos and wallabies near Cairns. In addition to the designated wildlife areas, the park has numerous other attractions that you can add to your day. Go on an army duck tour through the rainforest or take part in an enlightening Pamagirri Authentic Aboriginal Experience!
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Another one of the top places to see kangaroos and wallabies near Cairns is Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. This large nature park is filled with different animal habitats where you can see unique reptiles, birds, mammals, marsupials, and more. People of all ages come here to watch the wildlife experts feed massive saltwater crocodiles and give interesting presentations about all the amazing animals here!
Wildlife Habitat
Located in Port Douglas about an hour north of Cairns, the Wildlife Habitat is also a great place to see kangaroos and wallabies. Here you can try interacting with the animals in ways such as hand feeding or even patting and cuddling! After spending some time admiring all the creatures, enjoy a meal in the on-site cafe where tropical birds will frolic all around you. Other things to do in Port Douglas include trips to the Great Barrier Reef and watching the sunset from Rex Smeal Park!
Kangaroos And Wallabies In The Wild Near Cairns
Kangaroos and wallabies can be found almost anywhere along the east Coast of Australia, including around Cairns! No matter where in Australia you are, you're more likely to see animals in the wild if you head away from the cities and into rural areas. So you probably won't spot any animals in the city center of Cairns, but if you head out into the countryside your chances may improve.
Head for small towns, grassy fields, bush campsites and hiking trails, or quiet roads if you want to try and spot kangaroos and wallabies. They tend to be more active around dawn and dusk. Wildlife spottings have been known to happen around the Captain Cook Highway as you drive north from Cairns towards Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest. Heading west and south towards the rural towns and mountains of the Atherton Tablelands may also put you in a better position to spot kangaroos and wallabies!
If you find yourself heading south towards Airlie Beach to explore the Whitsundays, the nearby area of Cape Hillsborough is famous for its large numbers of kangaroos hopping along the beach at sunrise every day! Just remember that when seeing animals in the wild, never approach them or feed them. Admire them from a distance, respect their space, and drive slowly and carefully to avoid any accidents.
Tree Kangaroos Near Cairns
The rainforest around Cairns is also famous for its unique population of tree kangaroos. These tree-dwelling marsupials are quite rare, and Tropical North Queensland is one of the only places in the world where they can be seen. The ancient jungles of the Daintree Rainforest and the dense forests of the Atherton Tablelands are popular places for tree kangaroos to hang out. They can be hard to spot in the wild, so if you want a guaranteed sighting you can visit the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas!
Find more information about kangaroos and wallabies on the Queensland Government website.
