Best Places to See Kangaroos in Australia (and Wallabies too!)

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, one of the most unforgettable experiences is spotting kangaroos in their natural habitat. In this guide, we’ll share the best places to see kangaroos in Australia, as well as wallabies, wallaroos, and other fascinating marsupials. Whether you are camping by the beach, hiking in national parks, or exploring the outback, these iconic animals are never far away. Plus, we include practical tips to ensure you have an ethical and rewarding wildlife experience.

📷 Tips for Ethical Viewing of Kangaroos and Wallabies

To enjoy kangaroo and wallaby encounters responsibly, approach with care and respect for their space. Observe from a distance, avoid feeding them, and be especially cautious when driving at dawn or dusk.

🐾 Be quiet and move slowly — sudden movement will scare them off.
🚫 Don’t feed wild animals.
🌅 Visit at dawn or dusk for the best chance of sightings.
📸 Use a zoom lens — don’t get too close.
🚗 Slow down when driving at dusk and dawn — they often cross roads.

Where to See Kangaroos and Wallabies: State-by-State Highlights

Kangaroos, wallabies, and their macropod cousins are most active at dawn and dusk, so plan your wildlife adventures around these golden hours for the best chance of a sighting.

Australian Capital Territory

The bushland around Canberra offers some of the most accessible kangaroo encounters in the country.

• Namadgi National Park — Just south of Canberra, this alpine park is home to eastern grey kangaroos and wallaroos, often seen grazing in open valleys.
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve — Reliable sightings of eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies along scenic trails and open grasslands.

New South Wales

From coastal forests to inland reserves, NSW is full of macropod hotspots.

• Booderee National Park — A mix of kangaroos and wallabies in coastal forests, often spotted near walking tracks and picnic areas.
• Mungo National Park — In the far west, this World Heritage site offers a surreal outback setting with red kangaroos and western grey kangaroos.
• Murramarang National Park — Camp alongside kangaroos just metres from the beach.
• Pebbly Beach — Famous for its photogenic beach kangaroos that often lounge near the surf.
• Warrumbungle National Park — A Dark Sky Park with dramatic volcanic spires and plenty of kangaroo sightings at dawn and dusk.

Northern Territory

Though kangaroos are less common here, the NT is home to some unique macropod species in dramatic landscapes.

• Finke Gorge National Park — Remote terrain where euros (hill kangaroos) and black-footed rock-wallabies are often seen.
• Kangaroo Sanctuary, Alice Springs — A must-visit for up-close encounters and kangaroo conservation stories.
• Litchfield National Park — Agile wallabies can be spotted near campsites and trails, especially at dawn or dusk.
• Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park — Agile wallabies are often spotted near the visitor centre and along walking trails.

Queensland

Queensland offers the widest variety of macropod encounters—from beach sunrises to rainforest treetops.

• Atherton Tablelands — One of the best places to (maybe!) spot a Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroo in the wild. Try Curtain Fig National Park or rainforest trails near Malanda Falls.
• Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) — Spot rare rock-wallabies in a rugged outback setting with emerald waters.
• Cape Hillsborough — Experience magical sunrise kangaroo and wallaby encounters on the beach.
• Carnarvon Gorge — Scenic walks where eastern greys and wallaroos roam among sandstone cliffs.
• Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area — One of the best spots on the Gold Coast to see wild kangaroos and wallabies grazing in open grasslands, especially along the Kangaroo Trail and Melaleuca Boardwalk.
• Daintree Rainforest (Cedar Bay) — Home to the elusive Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo, though sightings are rare and magical.
• Granite Gorge — Known for approachable wallabies, perfect for families and wildlife photography.
• Noosa National Park — While better known for koalas, swamp wallabies are often seen along the coastal tracks.
• Springbrook National Park — In the Gold Coast hinterland, keep an eye out for red-necked pademelons in the rainforest undergrowth.

📝 Tip: Tree-kangaroos are shy and mostly nocturnal. Move quietly, look up, and bring binoculars—luck favours the patient!

South Australia

South Australia’s arid ranges and rocky outcrops are home to some of the country’s most elusive macropods.

• Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary — Spot shy rock-wallabies among ancient granite ridges.
• Coorong National Park — A coastal wetland with occasional sightings of western grey kangaroos near dunes and lagoons.
• Ikara–Flinders Ranges — Dramatic outback landscapes with sunset kangaroo safaris.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s cooler climate and open grasslands make it ideal for daytime wallaby and kangaroo sightings.

• Cradle Mountain — Evening sightings of pademelons and Bennett’s wallabies are common near walking trails.
• Freycinet National Park — Wallabies and pademelons are often seen near campsites and walking tracks, especially around dusk.
• Maria Island — A peaceful haven where kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies roam freely.
• Narawntapu National Park — Nicknamed “Tasmania’s Serengeti” for its abundance of grazing marsupials.

Victoria

Victoria’s national parks and coastal reserves are teeming with kangaroos and wallabies, especially in quieter areas.

• Grampians National Park — Large mobs of kangaroos graze on open grasslands and near visitor centres.
• Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve — A volcanic crater teeming with native wildlife, including wallabies, emus, and echidnas.
• Wilsons Promontory — Coastal trails with both kangaroos and swamp wallabies, often seen near campsites.
• You Yangs Regional Park — Just outside Geelong, this granite range is home to eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies, often seen on the lower slopes.

Western Australia

WA’s macropod sightings are more scattered, but the landscapes make every encounter memorable.

• Dryandra Woodland — A biodiversity hotspot southeast of Perth, home to western grey kangaroos and the rare woylie (brush-tailed bettong).
• Lisa’s Kangaroo Retreat (Redbank) — A sanctuary near Geraldton that cares for rescued kangaroos and wallabies
• Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand — Kangaroos famously lounge on white sand beaches with turquoise waters.
• Yanchep National Park — Easy kangaroo spotting near Perth, with walking trails and picnic areas.

📚 What Are Kangaroos and Wallabies, Scientifically Speaking?

Kangaroos and wallabies belong to a group of marsupials called macropods, meaning “big foot.” They’re all part of the same biological family:

🤔 Kangaroo vs Wallaby: What’s the Difference?

You’ll often hear people refer to all hopping marsupials as “kangaroos” — and that’s perfectly fine! While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences. Kangaroos are usually larger and live in open grasslands, while wallabies are smaller and prefer forests or rocky areas.

But honestly? Regardless of which species you spot, seeing these marsupials in the wild is a true highlight of any Australian adventure.

🦘 From Hoppers to Climbers: The Curious Case of Tree-Kangaroos

Tree-kangaroos are the rainforest-dwelling acrobats of the macropod world—imagine a kangaroo crossed with a lemur, and you’re getting close.

Unlike their ground-hopping cousins, tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus spp.) are arboreal macropods adapted for life in the canopy. They have strong forelimbs, curved claws, and long bushy tails that help them balance and climb. While most species live in New Guinea, Australia is home to two: Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroo and Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo, both found in the tropical rainforests of far north Queensland.

Here are a few standout facts:

• 🌳 They’re surprisingly agile climbers, able to leap up to 9 metres between branches.

• 🐾 Their feet are padded and flexible, helping them grip tree trunks like a rock climber’s hands.

• 😴 They spend up to 60% of their time sleeping, often curled up in the crook of a branch.

• 🍃 Their diet includes leaves, fruit, bark, and flowers, and they’ll occasionally descend to the ground to forage.

• 👶 Joeys stay in the pouch for around 9 months, just like other marsupials.

Despite their charm, many tree-kangaroo species are threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts are underway, but sightings in the wild remain rare and magical.