australia - kangaroos and koalas

I know this sounds like the stupidest question someone can ask...but i've asked people this already and the responses have been "they get hid by cars. its sad" and "yeah, there are plenty of zoos there."

but, i still feel the need to ask:

If i just travel to Cairns and Whitsundays area, will i be able to see kangaroos and other marsupials in their own natural habitat? I'm considering flying down to Adelaide and go to Kangaroo Island for 1 day just to see a kangaroo... but then ppl tell me that there are plenty of places where I can take a pic of koalas.

Do I need to go to Kangaroo Island or like the outback in the West to see animals?? I changed my flight so that I only have 1 week in Australia b/c of work and I dont know if its worth it to rush my stay so that I can fly from the north to the south part of Australia to see a kangaroo and a seal..... any advice from you guys? Did u see any animals in their own natural habitat near Cairns or the northern territory? Does it require a trip to the zoo?

Now im all freaked about ppl in Sydney hahaha. jkjk.
Thanks in advanced btw. You guys are like travel gurus!

Kangaroos are easy to find especially at night you wont have any problem seeing them in the wild.

You would be wasting your time flying to Kangaroo Island to see them. As said they are kind of everywhere just not in the cities. In my opinion the only reason to go to Kangaroo Island is to see the Remarkable Rocks. Koala's are a different story. They are hard to spot and need seclusion. Probably in one of the larger National parks up by Cairns. Not entirely sure about this though, Cairns was one of the only places I did not visit.

Hi Quagmire,

You won't have any trouble seeing Roos - they are everywhere, except in cities and larger towns. All you need to do is travel out into the country. Yes you will see them dead on the side of the road at times - depending on where you are going to visit.

Koalas - yes again you can see them in their natural habitat however as said above they are difficult to see as they blend in so well with their background/trees. The best place I have seen them in the wild is in the Grampians National Park in Victoria - however they have had some big fires in recent years so am not sure what has happened to that population.

I have found this site on the net which may help you - if you are going to be in New South Wales.

http://www.infogunnedah.com.au/tourism/koalas.php

There are some interesting facts and links on this page also.

http://www.thekoala.com/koala/

You best bet, if you don't have time is to visit a wildlife park or zoo.

Enjoy your trip over here.

Kathryn

For what it's worth as you probably won't visit that part, but I saw loads of kangaroos and koalas in Tower Hill State Game Reserve near Warnambool at the western end of the Great Ocean Road. It's about half way between Adelaide and Melbourne and a week could be spend on that route easily, visiting Kangaroo Island, Grampians (mentioned before), Tower Hill, Great Ocean Road and even Melbourne.
I also saw a fox and several echidnas over there and a few birds.

Maybe I was unlucky but I did not see any kangaroo in the week I have spend between Cairns and Cape Tribulation. I did see loads of other animals though.
Probably south of Cairns is better for kangaroos, don't know.

You are mentioning Northern Territory as well. Just for the record: that's a different part than where Cairns is (Queensland) but you probably knew that. But it is great for seeing wild camels and red (larger) kangaroos and huge lizzards as well. But for a week it is rather big and you will be driving too much

[ Edit: Edited on Jan 22, 2008, at 12:07 PM by Utrecht ]

Don't freek out about ppl in Sydney, they are almost normal !!!. Are you going to Sydney?
All Aussies are in general friendly and welcoming, pitty you are only staying 1 week in Feb (refer - your previous thread)

If you are arriving in Cairns and visiting the Whitsunday's, I suggest you just enjoy that area. It would not be practical to visit the Southern parts of Oz also.

Kangaroos
Kangaroos are very prolific and there are various species like the common grey and big red ones (the Red is more prevelant inland - the outback plains). There are also wallabies which can be mistaken for 'roos. They are smaller, dark grey and also quite wide spread. You may see some kangaroos and/or wallabies in your travels between Cairns and Whitsunday’s.

Koalas
Koalas are more abundant south of Brisbane but this link indicated they do extend to the Atherton Tablelands which I suggest you should visit as this area is close to Cairns (Google Kuranda).

Koalas are difficult to spot unless you go to a reserve because they are nocturnal and feed only on certain varieties of eucalypt which means they are confined to colonies in specific locations and not widespread

http://www.thekoala.com/koala/

Cheers
Mario

Quoting quagmire33

If i just travel to Cairns and Whitsundays area, will i be able to see kangaroos and other marsupials in their own natural habitat? I'm considering flying down to Adelaide and go to Kangaroo Island for 1 day just to see a kangaroo... but then ppl tell me that there are plenty of places where I can take a pic of koalas.

The natural habitat for a Kangaroo, is where you are not. If you get close too one, expect to see it jumping away. Bring binoculars in any case if you want to study them in the wild.

There are several places around Cairns and Whitsundays, typically bush camp sites, where you can get close, but that is because the animals are used to beeing fed. I wouldnt call that their natural habitat, as they are not instinctivly afraid of humans anymore, which they should be.

As for Koalas you would be pushing your luck expecting to just stumble upon one in the wild. Since you are in Cairns, maybe you want to head towards Cape Tribulation and try your chances on spotting a Cassowarie. Or the best option Id say, is to go to Brisbane, and head for Steve Irwins Zoo. You will see them all, close up, easy.

Jo