Guide
Where to see kangaroos in the wild in Australia
The best places to see wild kangaroos and wallabies across Australia, from beaches and golf courses to outback ranges, with timing tips, species identification and essential safety advice for walkers and drivers.
Published
For many visitors, seeing a kangaroo in the wild is the moment their Australian trip becomes real. The good news is that kangaroos and their smaller relatives, the wallabies, are common across much of the country. You do not need to travel to the outback to see one. With the right timing and a little knowledge, you can watch mobs grazing on beaches, in national parks and even on golf courses close to major cities.
This guide explains where to go in each state, when to go, how to tell the main species apart and how to stay safe. For more on the animals themselves, see our kangaroo profile and kangaroos and their relatives.
Kangaroos, wallabies and their relatives
Kangaroos belong to a family of marsupials called macropods, which means "big feet". There are dozens of species, ranging from tiny rat-kangaroos to the red kangaroo, the largest living marsupial. The ones you are most likely to see include:
- Eastern grey kangaroo: common in open woodland and grassland in eastern Australia and Tasmania, where it is known as the forester kangaroo.
- Western grey kangaroo: found across southern Australia, including on Kangaroo Island, which has its own distinctive subspecies.
- Red kangaroo: the iconic outback species of arid and semi-arid inland plains. Males are often reddish and females bluish-grey.
- Common wallaroo or euro: a stocky macropod of rocky hills and ranges.
- Agile, red-necked and swamp wallabies: smaller species of forest edges, coastal heath and woodland.
- Rock-wallabies: agile cliff-dwellers, including the strikingly patterned yellow-footed rock-wallaby of South Australia and New South Wales.
When to look
Macropods are crepuscular and nocturnal. They rest in shade through the heat of the day and come out to graze in the late afternoon, through the night and into early morning.
- The best viewing is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset.
- Cool, overcast days may bring them out earlier.
- Kangaroos can be seen all year, and in spring you may see joeys peeking from pouches.
The best places to see kangaroos
Queensland
- Cape Hillsborough National Park: north of Mackay, this park is famous for wallabies and kangaroos that visit the beach around sunrise. Rangers and local operators manage the viewing, so follow their instructions and do not feed the animals.
- Girraween and Sundown National Parks: granite country on the Granite Belt with eastern greys, wallaroos and wallabies.
- Carnarvon Gorge: whiptail wallabies, eastern greys and many other species around the campground and lower gorge at dusk.
New South Wales and the ACT
- Murramarang National Park: eastern greys graze at places such as Pebbly Beach and Pretty Beach on the South Coast, often close to the sand.
- Morton and Kosciuszko National Parks: open grassy valleys hold large mobs. In Kosciuszko, look around the plains and campgrounds at dusk.
- Sturt and Mutawintji National Parks: red kangaroos and euros in the far west outback.
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT: reliable eastern greys and swamp wallabies close to Canberra. Canberra's nature reserves are also full of kangaroos in the evenings.
Victoria
- Grampians National Park (Gariwerd): eastern greys are frequently seen grazing on the ovals and parks of Halls Gap, as well as in the surrounding bush.
- Anglesea: the town on the Great Ocean Road is known for kangaroos grazing on its golf course.
- Wilsons Promontory National Park: kangaroos, wombats and emus around Tidal River and the grassy flats.
- The You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary: easy day trips from Melbourne or Geelong.
South Australia
- Kangaroo Island: the Kangaroo Island kangaroo is common in grassy areas and on farmland edges, along with tammar wallabies at night.
- Flinders Ranges National Park (Ikara-Flinders Ranges): red kangaroos on the plains, euros on the slopes and yellow-footed rock-wallabies in rocky gorges such as Brachina Gorge.
Western Australia
- Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park: famous for kangaroos on the white sand near Esperance.
- Perth's bushland and parks: western greys are commonly seen at places such as Yanchep National Park and Heirisson Island.
- Rottnest Island (Wadjemup): not kangaroos, but the island's quokkas are small macropods and a highlight for many visitors.
Tasmania
- Maria Island and Narawntapu National Park: Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies, pademelons and wombats roam openly.
- Cradle Mountain and Mount Field: Bennett's wallabies and pademelons are common around tracks and car parks at dusk.
Northern Territory
- Kakadu and Litchfield: agile wallabies are common, and antilopine wallaroos live in the Top End.
- Central Australia: red kangaroos and euros around the West MacDonnell Ranges and the plains.
How to tell the main species apart
| Species | Look for | Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern grey | Grey-brown fur, pale face, dark tail tip | Open woodland, grassy valleys |
| Western grey | Chocolate-brown fur, darker face | Southern woodland and farmland |
| Red | Large size, white muzzle stripe, reddish males | Outback plains |
| Euro | Stocky build, shaggy fur, upright stance | Rocky hills |
| Swamp wallaby | Dark fur, yellow-orange belly | Dense forest and heath |
| Yellow-footed rock-wallaby | Ringed tail, yellow legs | Rocky gorges, SA and NSW |
Kangaroo safety
Kangaroos are generally shy, but large males are powerful animals with strong claws. Most problems happen where people have fed kangaroos and the animals have lost their natural wariness.
- Keep your distance. Use binoculars or a zoom lens rather than walking up for a selfie.
- Never feed them. Feeding can cause illness, including lumpy jaw, and makes kangaroos bold and aggressive.
- Read the body language. A male standing tall, grunting, scratching or pulling at grass may be about to challenge. Back away slowly without turning your back.
- Keep dogs on a lead. Kangaroos may defend themselves, and dogs can be injured.
- Do not get between a mother and her joey.
Driving at dawn and dusk
Collisions with kangaroos are a significant hazard on Australian country roads, particularly at dawn, dusk and night.
- Slow down in areas with wildlife signs and where grassland meets forest.
- Be especially cautious after rain, when green pick on roadside verges attracts grazers.
- If you see one kangaroo, expect more. They often move in groups.
- Brake in a controlled way rather than swerving sharply.
- If you hit an animal and it is safe to stop, check the pouch of a female for a living joey and call your state's wildlife rescue service.
Combine kangaroos with other wildlife
Many kangaroo sites are also excellent for other animals. Wilsons Promontory and Maria Island have wombats, Kangaroo Island has koalas and sea lions, and the Flinders Ranges have emus and wedge-tailed eagles. If you are looking for platypus or koalas, our guides to seeing platypus in the wild and seeing koalas in the wild suggest sites that pair well with kangaroo watching. The wildlife hub brings them all together.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to see kangaroos in the wild?
Good options include Cape Hillsborough near Mackay for wallabies and kangaroos on the beach at sunrise, Murramarang National Park on the NSW South Coast, the Grampians in Victoria, Tidbinbilla near Canberra, Kangaroo Island in South Australia and the Flinders Ranges for red kangaroos and euros.
What time of day are kangaroos most active?
Kangaroos are most active from late afternoon through the night to early morning. They usually rest in shade during the heat of the day and graze in the open at dawn and dusk.
Are kangaroos dangerous?
Kangaroos usually avoid people, but large males can be aggressive, particularly where they have been fed and have lost their fear of humans. Keep your distance, never feed them, do not approach a male that stands tall or grunts, and back away slowly if one approaches.
Can you see kangaroos near Sydney or Melbourne?
Yes. Eastern grey kangaroos are common in parks within a couple of hours of both cities. Around Melbourne, places such as Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road and the You Yangs are well known. From Sydney, the South Coast parks and the Southern Highlands are good choices.
What is the difference between a kangaroo and a wallaby?
They belong to the same family, the macropods. 'Kangaroo' generally refers to the largest species, such as the red and grey kangaroos. 'Wallaby' refers to smaller species. The difference is mainly size, not a strict scientific division.