Top Places to See Animals in the Wild in WA

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We are fortunate here in Western Australia and indeed throughout the whole of Australia, that there are many native animals and we are quite easily able to see many of these in their natural habitat as well as having some excellent zoos and wildlife parks, where we can see those that are not so easy to get a glimpse of in the wild.

We have a vast range of wildlife from crocodiles to kangaroos, as well as many smaller animals. Some animals are even unique to our state, such as the famous quokka of Rottnest Island.

There are also about 375 reptiles and over 500 native birds that call Western Australia home.

Some of these places where you can see native animals are included in this list:

[b] 1. ESPERANCE[/b]
Firstly, our most popular animal which appeals to tourists and locals alike - the kangaroo.

Esperance has perfect white sandy beaches and is also a nature lovers delight. Among these famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay, and this has about 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago near it and here even the kangaroos show up and relax!



Esperance is about a 1½ plane flight from Perth and a longer eight-hour drive south-east of Perth. Many attractions are easily accessible from Esperance and there are plenty of guided tour options, but a four wheel drive is a necessity if you want to go off the beaten track. You are also likely to see seals at Tanker Jetty.

[b]2. ROTTNEST ISLAND[/b]
Rottnest Island is, of course, our most famous Island in that it is the only place that has quokkas. These friendly animals are generally very tame and are dotted throughout this lovely island. They are a mini marsupial.



Rottnest is just a short ferry ride from the mainland of Perth or Fremantle and it is an A class reserve. Throughout the many bays and calm beaches of Rottnest, you will often spot seals, ospreys and occasionally whales. The name of the Island was from the words "rat's nest" which was at first what it was thought the quokkas were - giant rats!

[b]3. ALBANY[/b]
Albany is about a five-hour drive South of Perth and a beautiful spot for a holiday. The main attraction for animals here are the humpback, southern right and blue whales. Albany used to have a whaling station and still has a museum dedicated to this. This is the only museum of its kind to be housed in a former whaling station. You can sometimes see them from the shore or join a whale watching cruise for a fascinating journey.

One of the most scenic areas for whale spotting is a place called Torndirrup National Park.

[b]4. MONKEY MIA[/b]
There are several places you can see dolphins in Western Australia, but possibly the best and most well-known one is at Monkey Mia.

Here the dolphins have been coming in to be fed every day for the past 40 or so years and you can be part of this and get very up close and personal.



Monkey Mia is about a 30-minute drive from the town of Denham, and well worth spending some time at.

[b]5. ABROLHOS ISLANDS[/b]
This area, near Geraldton which is north of Perth, abounds with sea life and there are about 120 islands in this group. Teaming with various fish, and all sorts of sea life, if you bring binoculars you are sure to see some of the 90 odd seabirds, including the white-breasted sea eagles cruising along to prey on smaller seabirds.



[b]6. KINGS PARK[/b]
Kings Park lies just out of Perth city and is a huge area with heaps of wildlife and occupies about 400 hectares of land. In this, there are about 80 species of birds to be seen, as well as the Tawny frogmouths at certain times of the year. Tawny frogmouths are big-headed, stocky birds often mistaken for owls due to their nocturnal habits and similar colouring.



[b]7. JURIEN BAY[/b]
Jurien Bay hosts a rather unusual animal and here, you have the opportunity to swim alongside them on special tours. This is the sea lion, often called the "puppies of the sea", and you can witness this rare and endangered Australian Sea Lion in their natural habitat in this area.



The sea lion is an inquisitive, gentle natured animal and at this location they actually swim towards the boat and frolic around, often performing somersaults and graceful swirls in the water! They are "pinnipeds", which means "fin footed" in Latin, and the Australian sea lion is the world's rarest species with possibly less than 12,000 remaining along the country's southern coastline.

[b]CONCLUSION**
There are many more places to see wildlife in Western Australia, some of which are deadly like some of our snakes, and a critter you do not want to come across in the wild!

A good place to see many species, although not in the wild, is always a zoo or wildlife park, some of which are:


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