Currently, of about 250 marsupial species existing on the planet, 180 live in Australia. Marsupial anteaters, opossums, badgers, wombats, very reminiscent of marmots, and even marsupial moles and marsupial squirrels live here. Of course, for Europeans, the most familiar of the marsupials is the kangaroo. There are many places near Melbourne where wild kangaroos can be observed—You Yangs Regional Park, Yarra, and Dandenong Ranges. You will be pleasantly surprised when, after 5 minutes, there will come a whole flock of kangaroos, who absolutely will not be afraid of you.
One of the traditional habitats of the kangaroo in Melbourne is the Melbourne Zoo's Australia, which has created real living conditions for grey kangaroos (as in the natural environment), while Healesville Sanctuary boasts a mob of red kangaroos.
In Victoria, there are small grey kangaroos. Besides kangaroos, you might be lucky to spot some wallabies. It is also worth going to one of the golf courses of Anglesea Golf Club along the Great Ocean Road, where you can play golf alongside this funny animal. The wild Tower Hill State Game Reserve, the territory of Grampians, or Gippsland's Wilson's Promontory National Park are great kangaroo watching spots too, where kangaroos freely graze and when they see people, they run away. And here's one more. In the evening, do not drive at high speeds by car in Victoria, as the kangaroo can jump out of the bushes on the highway.
Kangaroos are usually most active at dawn and dusk, so that's the best time of the day to spot them. Locals also say that during the off-season 'roos' get much more aggressive in search for food, so it could be actually quite dangerous to encounter a mob of these marsupial pals.
Practical info
What time of day is best for kangaroo spotting in Victoria?
To have the best chance of spotting kangaroos in Victoria, visitors should observe them at dawn and dusk. During off-season, kangaroos tend to be more aggressive while searching for food, making them dangerous to encounter. Hence, it is advisable to observe them quietly and respectfully from a safe distance. Show more
What are some unique locations for kangaroo spotting in Victoria?
One can spot kangaroos in various unique locations in Victoria, such as Dandenong Ranges, Grampians, Gippsland's Wilson's Promontory National Park, Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo's Australia, Tower Hill State Game Reserve, Anglesea Golf Club, and You Yangs Regional Park. These locations offer a rare opportunity to see these marsupials in their natural habitats. Show more
Can one spot kangaroos in the heart of Melbourne city?
Kangaroos usually cannot be sighted in the heart of Melbourne city. However, visitors can see them in Melbourne's environs, such as Yarra, Dandenong Ranges, and You Yangs Regional Park, or they can see them through sanctuaries that have been created for this purpose, including Healesville Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo's Australia, which boast red kangaroos and grey kangaroos, respectively. Show more
Are there other marsupial species in Victoria besides kangaroos?
Victoria has many other unique marsupial species apart from kangaroos, including marsupial squirrels, opossums, marsupial moles, wombats, wallabies, badgers, and marsupial anteaters. Watching these marsupials in their natural habitats is a one-of-a-kind experience for wildlife enthusiasts and visitors to Victoria. Show more
What safety measures should be taken while watching kangaroos in Victoria?
Visitors are advised to maintain a respectful distance from kangaroos to avoid provoking them, which can lead to aggression or discomfort and increase the risk of injury. As wild animals, visitors should avoid engaging or interacting with them too closely. Visitors should also keep a safe distance while driving, particularly during the off-season, to avoid road accidents. Show more
