Kangaroos

There are at least 65 species of ‘kangaroos’, with most being found in Australia and also New Guinea.

This kangaroos are a diverse but recognizable group of marsupials. Despite the varied range of forms, there is a common body plan to all members of this group. They are often referred to as the ‘macropods’ from the scientific name of the superfamily, which translates from the Greek to mean ‘big-footed’. This term describes one of their most defining and distinctive characteristics; long toes on big feet, on the end of strong hindlegs. In contrast, the arms and hands are generally much shorter and weaker.

All of the extant species belong to two families; the smaller, more primitive potoroids (rat-kangaroos, potoroos, bettongs), and the generally larger and more recently evolved macropodids (kangaroos and various wallabies).

All living macropods are essentially herbivorous, the smaller ones being a little more omnivorous, and the larger ones being more standard grazers.

where can I see kangaroos and wallabies?

It's amazing how many tourists I hear complain that they have been in Australia for several weeks, and not seen a kangaroo. But there are many species that are very common. Many of the bigger species fill the niche of deer in other countries around the world, and can be just as abundant.

Once you get your 'kangaroo eye' in, you'll realise how common some of the larger species are. But one never gets sick of looking at them. And there are many species to be found, with some of the smaller ones providing a challenge by being rare and difficult to find.

It helps to look at a certain time of the day. Most species tend to be active at night, with a peak of activity around dawn and dusk.

Most of the larger species are grazers, which means they will be found in open areas. As much of Australia is open country, either natural woodland and grasslands, or farmland, there is a great many habitats for kangaroos.

If you are in Sydney, head up to Euroka Clearing on the way to the Blue Mountains, (access from Glenbrook train station). You can't touch the kangaroos here, for they are truly wild, but you can get pretty close to them for great photographs.

In Tasmania, you don't get better than Asbestos (Narawntapu) National Park, where you can see all three of Tasmania's macropods. Here, the Bennets Wallabies come out to graze (alongside the wombats and native hens), as well as Tasmanian Pademelons in the shrubs, and this is one of the few places you can still see 'Foresters', (the Tasmanian version of Eastern Grey Kangaroos).

In North Queensland, Agile wallabies can be seen alongside the Captain Cook highway on the way to Palm Cove. In Mission beach they can be seen in paddocks on the edge of the forest at dawn and dusk. Eastern Greys can also be seen at the Mareeba golf course, literally hopping through the town of Chillagoe at night, and around the farms and roads of Tinaroo. On Magnetic Island, Rock Wallabies can be seen in the boulders at the old ferry terminal.

where can I see kangaroos and wallabies in the Australian rainforest?