Ningaloo Marine Park
Swim with gentle ocean giants: whale sharks and humpback whales. From April to July, you can join a one-day snorkeling tour from the resort towns of Exmouth or Coral Bay, snorkeling alongside these 14-meter (46-foot) long, harmless vegetarian fish. In addition to whale sharks, the warm waters of Western Australia are home to tropical fish, manta rays, turtles, dolphins, and whales. From July to October, you can also swim with migrating humpback whales at Ningaloo Reef.
Great Ocean Road
Look for koalas sleeping among the trees; this is one of Australia's most exciting roads. It winds along the southwestern coast of Victoria, passing cliffs, forests, sharp bends, and seaside towns. Along the way, there are also groups of gray koalas hiding in the treetops. The best place to see them is along Lighthouse Road at Cape Otway, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) ahead from the town of Apollo Bay on the tourist route. There are koalas everywhere here, but they are well camouflaged, so you might find it hard to spot them at first glance.
Freycinet Lodge
Encounter the Tasmanian Devil; one of Australia's premier luxury hotels, operating a Tasmanian Devil conservation center. The one-hectare (2.5-acre) enclosure simulates the natural habitat of the devils, allowing guests to observe these endangered animals during their daily meals. If you visit Cradle Mountain, it is also a must-see nearby destination where you can view and learn more about these unique native animals.
Pebbly Beach
Capture the kangaroos resting on the beach; the sight of beach kangaroos is extraordinary and will leave you with unforgettable memories. The eastern grey kangaroos living on the south coast of New South Wales love to rest and bask in the sun. You can see them in groups on the grass and sand. Located about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Sydney, this popular surfing and bushwalking spot is also where many kangaroos don't mind becoming your photo models.
Kakadu National Park
Even under the warm sunshine, the first sight of a Northern Territory crocodile's back will make your hair stand on end. These giant reptiles move silently through the water, causing only small ripples when they approach the surface. You can join a two-hour Yellow Water Wetlands cruise in the heart of Kakadu National Park to observe these expert predators in their natural habitat, which will become an unforgettable memory for you.
Lady Elliot Island
This is a small coral cay at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Turtles skim the island's sandy shores into the emerald sea. You might encounter them on several snorkeling trails. While snorkeling, you can swim freely or join a guided snorkeling tour. The lagoon on the eastern side of the island is particularly rich in marine life. If you prefer not to get wet, you can take a glass-bottom boat to view tropical fish and colorful corals.
Wilson's Promontory National Park
Smile and greet the foraging wombats as dusk settles over the beautiful Wilson's Promontory National Park in Victoria. These round, sturdy, short-legged, and snub-nosed wombats start to appear. Naturally shy, they are nocturnal and come out of their burrows at dusk to graze. You can often see them at the main beach entrance, with their thumping footsteps echoing throughout the campsite. During your visit, you may also encounter kangaroos, emus, echidnas, and rosellas.
Rottnest Island
Take a selfie with a quokka, one of the cutest marsupials around Western Australia. On Rottnest Island, which is separated from Perth by the sea, quokkas happily hop around, stopping to watch people relax at bars, play golf, or ride bicycles on this car-free island. They are social enthusiasts, happy to pose for photos in settled areas, but are rarely seen elsewhere in the state. After numerous celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Martin Clunes posted selfies with these little marsupials online, taking selfies with them has also become a trend.
Port Lincoln
This activity is specially designed for thrill-seekers. After jumping into the cage, they are submerged underwater to witness great white sharks fiercely hunting the bait right in front of them. If this sounds exciting to you, come and visit. In the deep waters off the coast of Port Lincoln at the southern end of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, you can rent a steamboat to the shark-infested waters for a full day experience. Of course, ensuring safety is the top priority, but this does not diminish the thrill of the experience. If you prefer not to get wet, a glass-bottomed submarine is also an option, and diving at twilight adds an extra touch of excitement.
