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Wildlife

All sorts of native wildlife can be spotted throughout your travels in Victoria. Many areas, particularly parks and forests, are home to a variety of animals, and if you take a quiet walk through these areas, there are good opportunities for catching sight of some these creatures. Wildlife can also be observed at dedicated animal sanctuaries.

Koalas

Most international visitors don't feel like they've truly experienced Australia until they've come up close with a koala. Luckily for visitors to Victoria, there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

French Island is home to the most significant population of koalas in Victoria. Their thriving growth allows hundreds of koalas each year to be relocated to other reserves in the state. French Island is located in Western Port Bay and is accessible by passenger ferry from either Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula or Cowes on Phillip Island. Less than 100 people live on the island and much of the land is part of the French Island National Park.

At Kennett River, on the Great Ocean Road between Apollo Bay and Lorne, is a good place to go koala spotting. Grey River Road, which cuts through the Great Otway National Park, is lined with gum trees that house families of koalas in their natural habitat. You may need a pair of binoculars as koalas often fall asleep among branches of eucalypt trees and all but camouflage themselves into the bark.

The Brisbane Ranges National Park, near Anakie, is a rich wildflower habitat and has one of the greatest densities of koalas in the state, particularly around the Anakie Gorge.

Ulupna Island, in the Barmah National Park near Strathmerton, is home to both koalas and kangaroos.

Many animal sanctuaries in Victoria have colonies of koalas allowing visitors to get up and close to them.

Kangaroos

Kangaroos are a national symbol of Australia and these native marsupials can commonly be found throughout Victoria. The red kangaroo typically inhabits open areas of shrub, grasslands and deserts in the north-west of the state, while the eastern grey and western grey can be found along the coast, grasslands and in forests.

Kangaroos can ideally be seen in parks in Victoria or at animal sanctuaries.

On the Mornington Peninsula, Sorrento back beach is a good place to go at dusk to see eastern grey kangaroos. The southern end of the Mornington Peninsula is also inhabited by wallabies, bandicoots and a variety of birdlife. As night descends, possums, sugar gliders and bats may be seen.

To see kangaroos in Victoria's high country, a good place to go is Pines Clearing, near Mansfield. At dusk, the kangaroos emerge from the state forest to graze there. The clearing is around 5 kilometres along Walshs Road, off Goughs Road. Many other species, such as wallabies, wombats, possums and birds also inhabit the area.

An interesting place to observe kangaroos are at some of Victoria's country golf courses. The most famous kangaroo spotting course is the Anglesea Golf Club on the Great Ocean Road at Anglesea where you'll always see the resident population of eastern grey kangaroos around. At the Cohuna Golf Club on the Murray River at Cohuna, kangaroos share the fairways which are lined with red gum and box forest trees. And in central Victoria, visit the Heathcote Golf Club at Heathcote where kangaroos and emus call the course their home.

Emus

Australia's largest native bird is the emu which is flightless. It has a docile but curious nature and stands up to 2 metres in height.

While not as common as kangaroos, emus can be found throughout Victoria, from coastal regions to inland plains. See them also at one of Victoria's parks or at animal sanctuaries.

Penguins

The best place to see penguins in Victoria is by attending the twilight Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. This is one of Victoria's premier tourist attractions, attracting around half a million visitors each year who come to see the penguins emerge out of the ocean, waddle up the beach and into their burrows in the sand dunes each evening after time spent at sea. Viewing platforms have been erected to allow visitors to watch the parade without disturbing the penguins. Private viewing options are also available, with a ranger providing information about the birds.

Melbourne also has a couple of small fairy penguin colonies. The birds have adopted a rock structure in Port Phillip Bay as their home, and some can also be found within the rocks that form the edge of the harbour at the St Kilda Pier.

	Penguin Island Tours	Explore, experience and embrace the beauty and wildlife that is Phillip Island as you are shown the island like you've never seen it before, with a visit to a wildlife park, Cape Woolamai, The Nobbies, Seal Rocks, and at sunset, witness the nightly show of the penguins waddling ashore
	Phillip Island Day Tour	See the world class attractions of Phillip Island all in one day on a small group eco tour from Melbourne. Indulge yourself with wine tasting, see chocolates being made, get up close to koalas, and at dusk watch the fairy penguins waddling up the beach into their burrows in the sand dunes.
	Penguin Waters Cruises	Take a sunset cruise from Southbank or Docklands and observe Melbourne's fairy penguin colony up close near the mouth of the Yarra River. Also enjoy great views of Melbourne and the city lights.

Whales

Taking in the serene and calming influence of a whale is best done when the mammal is safely ensconced in its own natural environment.

The coastal city of Warrnambool is Victoria's most well-known vantage point for whale watching. In fact, between the months of June and October, visitors flock to the area to watch female southern right whales return to the calm water of Logan's Beach to give birth to their calves. They usually stay in these waters for several weeks while the calf grows in strength, before returning to the colder, sub-Antarctic waters where they spend the summer. Visitors do not even usually have to hop aboard a whale charter to get up close and personal with this magnificent animal - many whales come within a few hundred metres of shore, and viewing platforms atop the sand dunes specifically made for whale watching dot the beach landscape.

The Portland area is the place to go to view blue whales, the largest animals on the planet. From November to May, the whales migrate to the Bonney Upwelling to feed on krill. This is an area where cold, nutrient-rich water from deep in the ocean is brought to the surface and is one of only three known coastal feeding areas in the southern hemisphere. The whales generally aren't close enough to the coast to be seen from land, though sometimes their blows may be sighted as they come to the surface to breathe near Cape Bridgewater and Cape Nelson. Whale lovers can either a ride above the waters in a helicopter to see how the whales eat and frolic, or get up and close on a whale watching boat tour.

	Air Warrnambool	Conducting scenic flights daily from Warrnambool Airport in a 4-seat Cessna 172. Experience coastal scenery from the best advantage point with flights over Warrnambool, the whales off the coast, Hopkins Falls, Port Fairy and the many attractions of the Great Ocean Road along the Shipwreck Coast including the Bay Of Islands, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and 12 Apostles.
	Heli-Explore	Take to the air in a helicopter from Portland Airport and enjoy a whale watching flight or scenic journey over the district's varied coastline, lakes, forests, farmland and volcanic plains
	Sea Spray Charters	Based in Portland, we offer an amazing fishing experience on a charter, or simply enjoy a whale, dolphin and seal watching cruise
	Southern Coast Charters	Operating deep sea and reef fishing charters from Warrnambool. Whale watching cruises during the calving season off Logan's Beach also available.

Seals

It would be unkind to keep fur seals in a captive environment - the bold animal is much better suited to roaming freely along the water's edge with their family and friends. But you can't help visitors from wanting to get as close as possible with these amazing creatures who are magnetically drawn to the Victorian coastline.

Lady Julia Percy Island, just off the coast of Port Fairy, is a fur seal heaven thanks to its flat surface and sheltering surrounding cliffs. The seals share their much-loved home with fairy penguins and endangered mutton birds, a few sharks and plenty of fish and seabirds. It is expected that up to 30,000 fur seals inhabit this island and enjoy the feast of squid that the waters around the area provide them with. Visitors can take a ferry or charter a boat to Lady Julia Percy Island to get an up-close look at the gorgeous and gregarious fur seal that love to call Victoria home.

Seals can also be found at Cape Bridgewater near Portland. You can opt to hop aboard a chartered sea spotting boat and cruise out into the deep blue to get as close as possible to seals that are frolicking and flaunting themselves alongside the boats. You can also spot the seals from vantage points along the Cape Bridgewater Trail.

Discover one of Australia's largest wild fur seal colonies at Seal Rocks off the western tip of Phillip Island. Drift within metres of these fascinating and curious creatures in their natural environment. Wildlife Coast Cruises offer regular seal watching cruises departing from the jetty at Cowes. Dolphins are also regularly sighted during the cruise and many seabirds frequent the area. For those not wishing to venture out onto the seas, visit The Nobbies Centre which provides the opportunity to watch the seals, with special cameras available to allow close-up viewing.

Fur seals can also be seen at Chinaman's Hat, a octagonal channel navigation marker in Port Phillip Bay, just inside its entrance between Queenscliff and Portsea. It is used by the animals as a rest stop.

	Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak	Offering surf lessons, hire of surf & beach gear and mountain bike hire. Alternatively, take a seal kayaking tour with qualified guides as you paddle out to a seal colony while viewing the coast's beautiful hills and reefs from the ocean at Apollo Bay.
	Seals By Sea Tours	Take a cruise from Seal Point at Cape Bridgewater (near Portland) which is home to around 1,000 Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals and observe these amazing mammals at play
	Sea Spray Charters	Based in Portland, we offer an amazing fishing experience on a charter, or simply enjoy a whale, dolphin and seal watching cruise
	Sorrento Sailing Escape	Take a cruise aboard a magnificent 40 foot French-built yacht with our qualified skipper, departing from Blairgowrie marina. Sail to the South Channel Fort and seal colony, along the glorious Sorrento and Portsea coastline. An all-day cruise is available with a lunch stop-over at Queenscliff. Food and refreshments inclusive for all cruises.
	Wildlife Coast Cruises	Offering a range of cruises on Western Port Bay and around Wilsons Promontory. See Australia's largest wild fur seal colonies off the rugged south west coast of Phillip Island at Seal Rocks, departing from Cowes. Take a cruise out to remote French Island and experience a bus tour of the historic and scenic island. View breathtaking scenery and inaccessible coastlines of the natural beauty of Wilsons Promontory aboard a modern catamaran cruiser which departs from Port Welshpool and visits the seal colony on Kanowna Island.

Dolphins

These marine mammals have long played a role in human culture and are regarded as one of the most intelligent animals in existence.

Port Phillip Bay is home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins. Take a cruise or get into the water and swim alongside these playful creatures. Many tours also visit the fur seals at Chinaman's Hat, with the opportunity to spend time in the water watching, and being watched by, these inquisitive creatures as well.

Dolphins can also be spotted in other coastal areas of the state including around Portland and Lakes Entrance.

	Bayplay	Providing a wide range of adventure activities on the Mornington Peninsula including kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, dolphin swims, surfing and horse riding
	Lonsdale Cruises	Enjoy a scenic cruise with expert commentary, covering areas from Lakes Entrance to Lake King, and see dolphins (seasonal) and the wonderful birds and floral of the lakes system
	Moonraker Dolphin Swims	Travel on a purpose built dolphin vessel with spacious sun decks and all the equipment required to swim with the seals and dolphins on our 3 hour cruise from Sorrento
	Polperro Dolphin Swims	Offering you the opportunity to observe and swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Bay from a fully licensed vessel with a professionally trained and experienced crew, departing daily from Sorrento Pier
	Sea All Dolphins Swims	Departing from Queenscliff, explore the rich and diverse waters of the southern reaches of Port Phillip Bay by swimming with wild dolphins and seals or snorkelling in unique marine national parks
	Sea Spray Charters	Based in Portland, we offer an amazing fishing experience on a charter, or simply enjoy a whale, dolphin and seal watching cruise

Platypuses

An endangered animal that is happy to call the cool waters of rivers and lakes within Victoria home, the platypus is an unusual and beautiful animal.

Discover platypuses on Lake Elizabeth, which is near the small town of Forrest in the Otway Ranges. Otway Eco Tours conduct canoe tours of the lake at dusk and dawn, allowing you to experience the delights of the forest and discover where the humble platypus likes to play.

You can also clap eyes on one in their natural habitat in the beautiful lakes and rivers in the far eastern corner of Gippsland. They can be found in the Snowy River near Orbost and the rivers around Cabbage Tree Creek, Cann River and Mallacoota.

Otway Eco Tours

Operating fully guided tours through the Great Otway National Park and along the Great Ocean Walk. Discover Australia's most elusive animal on a guided platypus canoe tour departing from the Otway's town of Forrest. Take a mountain bike trail tour or simply hire a bike.

Birds

Bird watchers will know that among the serene backdrop of much of regional Victoria, it will be easy to spot plenty of birds making nests in the branches of trees, window sills of lighthouses and nesting boxes lining the driveways of farmhouses and wineries along the way.

Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Found in the hills north of Port Welshpool and Toora near Wilsons Promontory, the Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve has a canopy of tall eucalypts which provide food and nesting areas for a range of native birds including kookaburras, robins, rosellas and honeyeaters.

Barmah National Park - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

On the Murray River between Echuca and Cobram, the wetlands of the Barmah National Park are an important breeding ground for water birds. Over 200 species of birds have been identified in the area, and it's within a major flightpath for migratory birds.

Boneo Maze & Wetlands - www.boneomaze.com.au

Also on the Mornington Peninsula, the Boneo Maze & Wetlands are located between Rosebud and Cape Schanck. There are 6 hectares of swamp and wetlands with a boardwalk and bird hide that provides views over the lake and an opportunity to observe many species of birds.

Cape Woolamai

The south-eastern tip of Phillip Island at Cape Woolamai is home to a colony of short-tailed shearwaters, or mutton birds. At sunset between September and April, you can see them return to the land after a day's fishing.

Coolart Wetlands - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Located between Balnarring and Somers on the Mornington Peninsula, the Coolart Wetlands feature extensive swamp areas and a lagoon where huge numbers of white ibis and other waterbirds gather during the winter and spring breeding season.

Feeding the Pelicans - www.pelicanview.com.au

See between 15 and 30 pelicans being fed on the San Remo foreshore each day at 12 noon with freshly caught fish.

Grampians National Park - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

The Grampians, with its mountain ranges, lakes, and dense forests, is the perfect natural habitat for birds. Almost half the species of all birds in Victoria, including honeyeaters, kookaburras, parrots, robins and wrens, can be found in the Grampians, making it a bird watcher's paradise. In addition to birds, around 40 percent of all mammal species in Victoria can be found within the region. Base yourself in the park's main town of Halls Gap and enjoy this hub of wildlife.

Gunbower National Park - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Gunbower Island, along the Murray River near Cohuna, is home to a diverse collection of wildlife. There are over 200 species of birds to be found, and the area is one of the largest breeding grounds for water birds in the state.

Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

A series of wetlands, lakes and grasslands constitute this reserve along the Port Phillip Bay coast at Williamstown. A haven for water birds including ducks, coots, moorhens, swans, spoonbills and pelicans.

Kings Billabong Park - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

See some of north-western Victoria's water birds and birds of prey within Kings Billabong Park, located on the Murray River floodplain between Mildura and Red Cliffs. There's a bird hide located on a nature walk through the park which gives a great view of the largest part of the billabong.

Sale Wetlands - www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

The Sale Wetlands, which is part of the 300 hectare Sale Common State Game Refuge at Sale, has walking tracks, a boardwalk and hides from which birds including pelicans, swans, egrets, swamphens, coots, cormorants and ducks can be viewed.

Glow worms

In a place known as the Melba Gully, on the Great Ocean Road just out of Lavers Hill, you can hunt down the most amazing sight. Glow worms in all of their burning glory. These amazing and alluring creatures are a huge attraction in Melba Gully, with many visitors choosing to take the trail with a tour group after dark to catch the colony of incandescent critters who live along the way. You can usually spot glow worms along the walking track itself - an amazing form of late-night bushwalking illumination to delight visitors.