5 Unique Australian Animals You Can’t Miss

by Brooke Schoenman

Everyone knows the cute and cuddly koalas and the adorable kangaroos and wallabies that inhabit the giant country-continent of Australia. In fact, a trip Down Under is often not complete without an up-close encounter with the stereotypical animals listed above. However, even though they are pretty cute, they’re just not quite as interesting as some of the other types of unique animals in Australia.

Dingo

Creative Commons photo by PartnerHund.com

To foreigners, the dingo is somewhat of a joke, and you’ll more than likely hear the line, “A dingo ate my baby!” whenever the name is mentioned. Sure, we all laugh, but did you know that was a true story? Still, the dingo is probably one of the most beautiful dogs in the world – almost majestic looking. If you fancy seeing one in the wild, just head to Fraser Island. But keep your distance: They have been known to bite.

Cassowary

Creative Commons photo by Brian Gratwicke

The cassowary may not be an animal you have heard about before, but when you see one in the wild, you’ll never forget it. They’re sort of like an emu, but with a blue neck and a dinosaur-looking head. In other words, they’re completely unique! You can catch cassowaries in the wild up near Mission Beach in Queensland, but do drive carefully as they have been known to pop out on the road.

Quokka

Creative Commons photo by Ken and Nyetta

When I heard about a quokka, I was intrigued with the name. When I saw a quokka, I wanted nothing more than to steal one and take it home. These little marsupials resemble a tiny wallaby crossed with a guinea pig, and they get to be about the size of a cat. You can catch their cuteness (they love people) over on Rottnest Island in Western Australia.

Wombat

Creative Commons photo by Atsushi Kase

The wombat is a stocky little marsupial that is deceptively hefty. They sometimes get so big that they look literally like small boulders when in the road from afar. One cool thing about the wombat is that their baby pouches are backwards, which is helpful to keeping dirt out of their baby’s face when burrowing underground. To see a wombat in the wild, you should head to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

Tasmanian Devil

Creative Commons photo by Dan Taylor

The Tasmanian Devil has been made popular by the Looney Tunes character, but unlike the cartoon, these little animals do not spin into a tornado. They are, however, carnivorous marsupials with a bit of attitude, so you won’t be walking up to pet these guys in the wild (at least if you know what’s good for you). To see a Tasmanian Devil in the wild, you will need to visit the island, Tasmania.

Brooke Schoenman is the blogger behind WhyGo Australia, an online travel guide to the land Down Under.  Book your flights to Australia, or learn more about things to do in Australia.