Meet the quokkas and five more reasons why Western Australia is a must for wildlife lovers

Western Australia's diversity means it is home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife on Earth. It's a destination for animal-lovers

quokka on hind legs
Single spot: head to Rottnest Island for a chance to visit the adorable Quokka in the only place on Earth they call home Credit: Getty

Australia is known for its abundant variety of wildlife but in the untouched landscapes of the wilder west not only the more famous faces can be spotted but also charismatic creatures such as the friendly little quokka, a marsupial with an apparently permanent smile, which is found nowhere else on Earth. 

Around 70 per cent of all native Australian mammals grace the region and 25 unique species thrive in its diverse habitats. Every visitor benefits from sustainable practices in a state that remains blissfully unspoilt and where experts work hard to make sure spotting wildlife is a memorable experience.

Take swimming with whale sharks – it’s a thrilling encounter and it’s made as ecologically sound as possible, both for the visitor and for the wildlife. No one feeds the whale sharks to draw them in, or crams too many swimmers in the water. Numbers and distances are very carefully monitored, and each tour operator sends images and insights to conservation projects. It’s this attitude that makes wildlife spotting in the state such a rewarding experience.

1 Meet the quokkas

It’s impossible not to smile on seeing a quokka. These engaging little marsupials, like a cross between a small wallaby and a meerkat and about the size of a domestic cat, are rendered adorable because nature has arranged their faces into a permanent smile. Trusting and friendly, they are found in the wild at only one place on the entire planet and that’s Western Australia. Rottnest Island, 12 miles off the coast of Perth is the best place to spot them. Ferries run from Perth and Fremantle and take you to a world of wonderful beaches and carefully protected wildlife.

2 Glide with manta rays

The Coral Bay manta rays star all year round. On first sight these Darth Vader-like dark leviathans – which can grow to more than 16ft wide –  can look a little intimidating, but these graceful acrobats have neither teeth nor the sharp barb of sting rays, making them very safe to swim with so you will soon settle into the experience of a lifetime as you float above them. If you are lucky you may catch sight of them barrel rolling as they feed on krill or leaping out of the ocean during a mating display.

manta ray swimming in the australian ocean
Ocean giant: despite their impressive stature, the manta ray is a graceful sight to behold Credit: Getty

3 Spot the orcas of the Southern Ocean

January to April is the time to head down to Bremer Marine Park where the largest recorded pod of killer whales in the Southern Ocean comes to hang out. They are drawn by a hydrocarbon release that kicks off a food-chain feeding frenzy, with the “killer whales” (actually the largest species of dolphin, which can grow to whopping 4.5 tons) very much at the top of the chain. Boat trips regularly spot whales, other dolphin species and an astonishing array of birdlife.

orcas swimming in the australian ocean
Did you know: orcas or 'killer whales' are actually the largest species of dolphin? Credit: Getty

4 Swim with whale sharks

From March to July you have the breathtaking opportunity to swim with the largest fish in the world. There are day trips, but if you really want to spend time in their world a longer cruise really opens up their adopted home of the Ningaloo Reef. The reef is one of the few places on Earth where it’s possible to approach and mingle with these gentle giants in their natural habitat, helped by the crystal-clear water. Spotter planes pinpoint the whale sharks’ position – meaning that you will almost certainly be able to swim with them and have plenty of time for snapping photos – and expert management practices mean the number of tours per day is restricted so the whale sharks are respected and there is no overcrowding.

swimming with whale sharks in australia
Once in a lifetime: swim with these gentle giants for a day you'll never forget Credit: Getty

And if you want to help the conservationists, new ID programmes such as Ecocean have started to track the whale sharks using their unique spot patterns. So far more than 300 have been individually identified but anyone can help by sending in their underwater whale shark photos to Ecocean.

5 Snorkel with humpback whales

Since 2016, a lucky few have been allowed into the water to meet our marine mammal cousins at Ningaloo Reef – one of the few places in the world where it’s possible. Around 30,000 humpback whales migrate through these waters from July to October. Swimmer numbers are strictly limited to a maximum of seven at a time for this eco experience – you will feel like the only person in the world when these hulking beauties loom into view.

ningaloo reef humpback whale breaching
Bespoke experience: swim with a very limited number of people plus some very special guests Credit: Getty

6 Mass migrations of birds

Western Australia is an ornithologist’s paradise with mass migrations and swathes of native birds found in abundance all over the state. From March through to May, Broome’s Roebuck Bay is the shorebird capital of Australia. The beaches and mangroves host more than 200,000 shorebirds, stretching across 300 species, which come there to breed and forage before spiriting off back to the northern hemisphere. Highlights include the ibis, brolga, crane, red-headed honeyeater and the rare Gouldian finch.

australian ibis in the wild
Mass migration: time your visit right to experience Australia's native birds, including the ibis, in all their glory Credit: Getty
Leave the everyday behind and step into a dream in Western Australia

Explore an ancient land of otherworldly landscapes and extraordinary nature and wildlife experiences that can be found nowhere else.

Audley Travel is a tour operator with more than 25 years’ experience in creating meaningful travel experiences. They understand that what motivates you to explore is deeply personal. A trip to Australia with Audley is created completely around you, from the experiences you have to the places you stay. Audley’s award-winning Australia specialists have a deep connection to Australia that can only have come from living or travelling there extensively, so you can rely on them as the dedicated experts who’ll craft your plans into the Australia trip you’re imagining. They won’t just ask you how you want to explore, they’ll ask you how you want to feel and create experiences that will stay with you long after you return home.

Start planning at audleytravel.com

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