Finding a kangaroo in Australia

Want to promote your business or idea?

We Support Local

Written by

The Informer

Published on

September 9, 2025

Tips to suggest how to find a kangaroo in the wild and what sanctuaries you can visit.

BY SARAH-JANE, TRAVEL WRITER

My love affair with Australia begins with a short three-hour flight from New Zealand, a quick hop across the ditch that feels less like an international trip and more like a visit to family and friends. The moment those plane doors open, you’re not just in a new country; you’re on an Aussie adventure. Your mission is simple: find a kangaroo.

So, you’ve come to Australia, the land of sunshine, incredible beaches, and things that can kill you. But what’s the one thing everyone wants to see? A kangaroo, of course. You’ve seen them on Qantas planes, on tea towels, and in your dreams. They’re the unofficial mascot of this sunburnt country, and a trip here isn’t complete without seeing one of these magnificent, hopping marsupials.

Where to Find Your Hopping Companion

Don’t expect to just walk outside and find a kangaroo waiting to say hello. While they are everywhere, they tend to be a little shy. Your best bet is to combine a few approaches to guarantee a sighting.

In the Wild: A True Bush Encounter

There’s nothing like seeing a mob of kangaroos freely hopping in their natural habitat. For a truly unforgettable experience, head to some of the country’s most famous spots.

• On an Island: For a practically guaranteed roo encounter, hop on a ferry to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. It’s not named that for nothing!

• At the Vineyard: Nothing says “Aussie life” like sipping a great wine and watching a kangaroo graze in the vineyard. The Barossa Valley in South Australia and the Yarra Valley in Victoria are excellent places to spot them.

• In the Bush: Venture to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, where you can find kangaroos foraging in dry riverbeds and near waterholes. Just don’t ask them to share their water.

• On the Beach: Yes, really! Kangaroos love a good beach day as much as we do. You might find them catching some rays at places like Lucky Bay in Western Australia or Pebbly Beach in New South Wales.

• Travelling the hinterland of Brisbane in Queensland quite often guarantees you a sighting when you park by the side of the road near a park or resting place.

Warning: Going into the wild to find kangaroos can be hit or miss.

At a Sanctuary: Up-Close and Personal

If you want to get up close and personal, a sanctuary is the way to go. Here, you can safely interact with kangaroos and sometimes even feed them.

• Cleland Wildlife Park: This open-air park in South Australia is a fantastic place to walk among the kangaroos. Buy some pellets and prepare to be mobbed by your new best friends!

• Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary: Also in South Australia, this place is known for its incredible conservation efforts and offers another great opportunity to see kangaroos up close.

• Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria: Just outside Melbourne, this sanctuary specializes in native Australian wildlife and offers fantastic kangaroo experiences.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park, New South Wales: In Sydney, this park is home to a large mob of kangaroos that are so friendly they’ll often eat right out of your hand.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland: While famous for its koalas, this Brisbane sanctuary also boasts a massive, open kangaroo reserve where you can get up close with hundreds of roos.

Don’t Forget the Wallabies!

While you’re at it, why not meet a kangaroo’s smaller, cuter cousin? Wallabies are also marsupials but are generally smaller and often just as friendly.

• Andamooka Sanctuary: At this South Australian sanctuary, you can see wild rock wallabies come to drink in the evenings. It’s a great chance to see these agile little hoppers in action.

• Maria Island, Tasmania: This island is home to a huge population of forester kangaroos and also a very large, visible mob of resident wallabies.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park, New South Wales: Along with kangaroos, this Sydney park is a great place to see and interact with wallabies.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland: While the koalas get all the fame, the wallabies here are just as delightful. You can walk among them and often feed them by hand.

Why are we so obsessed with kangaroos? Because they’re the ultimate Aussie icon, an animal so unique they defy every other mammal on the planet. Their powerful hops, the sight of a mother carrying her baby in a pouch – it all feels like a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary. They are the living embodiment of Australia’s wild, untamed spirit, and spotting one in the flesh is a travel moment you’ll never forget.

Republished, original found: Bestbitstravel.com

BY SARAH-JANE, TRAVEL WRITER

Where to Find Your Hopping Companion

Don’t expect to just walk outside and find a kangaroo waiting to say hello. While they are everywhere, they tend to be a little shy. Your best bet is to combine a few approaches to guarantee a sighting.

In the Wild: A True Bush Encounter

There’s nothing like seeing a mob of kangaroos freely hopping in their natural habitat. For a truly unforgettable experience, head to some of the country’s most famous spots.

• On an Island: For a practically guaranteed roo encounter, hop on a ferry to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. It’s not named that for nothing!

• At the Vineyard: Nothing says “Aussie life” like sipping a great wine and watching a kangaroo graze in the vineyard. The Barossa Valley in South Australia and the Yarra Valley in Victoria are excellent places to spot them.

• In the Bush: Venture to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, where you can find kangaroos foraging in dry riverbeds and near waterholes. Just don’t ask them to share their water.

• On the Beach: Yes, really! Kangaroos love a good beach day as much as we do. You might find them catching some rays at places like Lucky Bay in Western Australia or Pebbly Beach in New South Wales.

• Travelling the hinterland of Brisbane in Queensland quite often guarantees you a sighting when you park by the side of the road near a park or resting place.

Warning: Going into the wild to find kangaroos can be hit or miss.

At a Sanctuary: Up-Close and Personal

If you want to get up close and personal, a sanctuary is the way to go. Here, you can safely interact with kangaroos and sometimes even feed them.

• Cleland Wildlife Park: This open-air park in South Australia is a fantastic place to walk among the kangaroos. Buy some pellets and prepare to be mobbed by your new best friends!

• Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary: Also in South Australia, this place is known for its incredible conservation efforts and offers another great opportunity to see kangaroos up close.

• Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria: Just outside Melbourne, this sanctuary specializes in native Australian wildlife and offers fantastic kangaroo experiences.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park, New South Wales: In Sydney, this park is home to a large mob of kangaroos that are so friendly they’ll often eat right out of your hand.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland: While famous for its koalas, this Brisbane sanctuary also boasts a massive, open kangaroo reserve where you can get up close with hundreds of roos.

Don’t Forget the Wallabies!

While you’re at it, why not meet a kangaroo’s smaller, cuter cousin? Wallabies are also marsupials but are generally smaller and often just as friendly.

• Andamooka Sanctuary: At this South Australian sanctuary, you can see wild rock wallabies come to drink in the evenings. It’s a great chance to see these agile little hoppers in action.

• Maria Island, Tasmania: This island is home to a huge population of forester kangaroos and also a very large, visible mob of resident wallabies.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park, New South Wales: Along with kangaroos, this Sydney park is a great place to see and interact with wallabies.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland: While the koalas get all the fame, the wallabies here are just as delightful. You can walk among them and often feed them by hand.

Republished, original found: Bestbitstravel.com

Share this article:

More Stories