From penguins to Tassie Devils, native animals abound if you know where to look.
With more than a million hectares of national parks and reserves, and vast stretches of pristine coastline, Tasmania’s a haven for native fauna. We’ve found the top spots for seeing animals in their natural state, so all you need to do is be still, quiet and have your camera ready!
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Penguin parades
Prepare to be enchanted when the world’s smallest penguin species waddles up the beach back to their burrows. Every evening just after sunset from around September to April, little (aka fairy) penguins appear at various points along the coast – as far south as Bruny Island, but especially near the northern town named after this cute birdie. Say g’day to the three-metre penguin statue and get advice about the real thing from the Penguin Visitor Information Centre. Or go straight for Penguin Point, Lillico Beach, Sulphur Creek or Burnie. Volunteer guides are often on hand during the breeding season, and ticketed tours are available in Low Head, and the east-coast town of Bicheno.
More bird watching
Tasmania, like green rosellas and black currawongs. The Tamar River Conservation Area‘s bird hide is a good spot to spy waterbirds, but twitchers should consider Inala Nature Tours, ideally on their private Bruny Island reserve that’s home to 95 bird species. There are also guided birdwatching tours during the annual Bruny Island Bird Festival. For guaranteed encounters with hunters like wedge-tailed eagles and Tasmanian masked owls, visit Kettering’s Raptor Refuge, which rehabilitates sick and injured birds.
Platypus playtime
Latrobe calls itself the world’s platypus capital, and rightly so because these usually elusive monotremes are often seen in Warrawee Forest Reserve, especially early in the morning and around dusk. Down south, Tassie Bound‘s kayak tour guides know a stretch of river only accessible to paddlers where platypus often play. Short on time? They’re always on show at Platypus House.
See some sea creatures
You don’t need to get wet to see whales, which migrate along the east coast. The best vantage points for landlubbers are Frederick Henry Bay and Great Oyster Bay, with different species passing by from June to November. For a closer look, and sightings of other marine wildlife including seals, dolphins and sea eagles, take a cruise with nature-focused operators such as Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and Wild Ocean Tasmania.
Be a Tasmanian Devil’s advocate
You might hear them growling but probably won’t see the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial in the wild, because the Tasmanian Devil is nocturnal and its population has been devastated by a facial tumour. Several Devil sanctuaries are striving to save these fierce little creatures, so visiting one ensures devilish encounters and also supports their rehabilitation. Options include, Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary where you can also view the Big Tassie Devil, Wings Wildlife Park, Devils@Cradle and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. For a nearly wild experience, take a Devils in the Dark tour to a 10-hectare bushland enclosure where they roam free.
More marvellous mammals
There’s so much wilderness here that you’re bound to see other marsupials in their natural habitat, including kangaroos, wallabies and their smaller Tasmanian cousin, pademelons. You’ll probably see wombats foraging the moment you enter Cradle Mountain National Park, but the state’s wildlife hot spot is Narawntapu National Park, also known as Tasmania’s Serengeti. Keep your eyes peeled for shy critters like quolls and echidnas, as well as birds, bats, reptiles and frogs.
Wildlife spotting, guaranteed!
Various native and international animals await at attractions such as Tasmania Zoo and Natureworld, while Marakoopa Cave’s glow-worms always turn on a bio-luminescent light show. Take a tour and be amazed!
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