Australian wildlife FAQ: 20 questions travellers ask

Many of them. Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, platypus, echidnas, Tasmanian devils, quokkas, cassowaries, kookaburras and lyrebirds are all found naturally only in Australia, or only in Australia and New Guinea, because the continent was isolated for millions of years.

Kangaroos graze at dawn and dusk in many national parks. Wild koalas are reliable on the Great Ocean Road and Magnetic Island. Platypus can be seen at sites such as Broken River in Eungella. Tasmania and Kangaroo Island are excellent all-rounders. See our wildlife hub for more.

Dawn and dusk. Most Australian mammals are nocturnal or crepuscular, so the hours around sunrise and sunset, and guided spotlighting walks after dark, are the most productive.

Kangaroos, koalas and platypus can be seen all year. Whales migrate along the coasts from about May to November. Spring brings wildflowers, active birdlife and young animals. In the tropical north, the dry season from about May to October is the easiest time to travel.

A mammal whose young are born at a very early stage and then develop further, usually in a pouch. Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, possums and Tasmanian devils are all marsupials.

A mammal that lays eggs. The only living monotremes are the platypus and the echidnas, found in Australia and New Guinea.

Australia has venomous snakes and spiders, saltwater crocodiles, box jellyfish and sharks, but serious incidents are rare. Following local safety advice, staying on tracks, swimming at patrolled beaches and observing crocodile warning signs keeps the risk low.

Stay calm, keep your distance and let it move away. Most bites happen when people try to catch or kill snakes. If someone is bitten, call 000, keep them still and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage as taught in first aid.

In rivers, estuaries, wetlands and coastal waters across northern Australia, roughly from around Rockhampton in Queensland across the Top End to the Kimberley. Obey warning signs and do not swim where crocodiles may be present.

No. Feeding wild animals harms their health, makes some species aggressive and is illegal in many national parks. Watch from a distance and let them find their natural food.

Wild koalas must not be touched. Queensland allows supervised koala holding at some licensed wildlife parks; most other states do not allow holding.

It depends on the state and the species. Some native reptiles, birds and a small number of mammals can be kept with a licence from the state wildlife authority, but most native animals cannot be kept, and taking animals from the wild is illegal. Check your state's rules before acquiring any native animal.

Do not handle large or dangerous animals. Keep pets and people away, note the location and call your state's wildlife rescue service or a local vet. Small animals can be gently placed in a covered box in a dark, quiet place while you wait for help.

If it is safe to stop, pull over, turn on your hazard lights and call wildlife rescue. Do not approach a large injured kangaroo. If a dead female is safe to check, a living joey may be in her pouch.

Phillip Island's penguin parade, Cape Hillsborough's sunrise wallabies, Kennett River's koalas, Kangaroo Island and accredited sanctuaries such as Healesville are all family-friendly. Short walks and dusk outings suit young children best.

Wild devils live only in Tasmania, where they are nocturnal and shy. Your best chance of a reliable view is a sanctuary or conservation park in Tasmania, many of which run evening feeding talks.

Phillip Island in Victoria is the best known, with a managed evening penguin parade. Little penguins can also be seen at St Kilda pier in Melbourne, Bicheno and other sites in Tasmania, and on Granite Island in South Australia, where numbers have declined.

Yes. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936, and the species is officially listed as extinct.

Keep your distance, never feed animals, stay on tracks, use dim red light at night, slow down on roads at dawn and dusk, and choose operators who follow official guidelines.

No, many animals are easy to see independently. A good guide, however, greatly improves your chances with nocturnal and shy species, and spotlighting tours are an excellent introduction.