Australian wildlife pre-cruise

[Trekker954]

We plan to do a precruise visit and enjoy Australia. Our cruise will leave out of Syndey.

 

My daughter is an avid wildlife photographer (hobby). She has read with interest about Melbourne (Phillips Island - penquins); Kangaroo Island - koalas, wallabies, birds, seals and sea lions (do we need to arrive via Adelaide) . Is there other areas that would WOW us? She also read Tasmania might be of interest.

 

Its a very long way for us from the east coast USA, so we'd like to take advantage of being there.

 

Any advice or recommendations would be welcome. Also if there is a certain flow that is better let me know.

[Aus Traveller]

Australia is a big country and your's is a big question. For Little Penguins (used to be called "Fairy Penguins") I don't feel that Phillip Island is the best place. Visitors are corralled at a distance as the penguins walk across the beach, although you can get close to the burrows as you walk to and from the viewing area. There are many other places in Australia where visitors can see Little Penguins and get much closer to them.

 

Kangaroo Island - You would probably have to go from Adelaide.

 

There are many places in Australia where it is easy to see animals in the wild, but of course it is quicker and easier to see them in a wildlife park. :D However, that might not be what your daughter wants.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Aus Traveller

[MicCanberra]

We plan to do a precruise visit and enjoy Australia. Our cruise will leave out of Syndey.

 

My daughter is an avid wildlife photographer (hobby). She has read with interest about Melbourne (Phillips Island - penquins); Kangaroo Island - koalas, wallabies, birds, seals and sea lions (do we need to arrive via Adelaide) . Is there other areas that would WOW us? She also read Tasmania might be of interest.

 

Its a very long way for us from the east coast USA, so we'd like to take advantage of being there.

 

Any advice or recommendations would be welcome. Also if there is a certain flow that is better let me know.

Kangaroo Island is via Adelaide and well worth the visit.

Ensure you get to the bird show, Eagles, Hawks, Owls, Kookaburras, etc, fly free and return for the show and some can be touched. There are penguins on KI as well but only certain times of the year.

As mentioned, Australia is big and there is wildlife everywhere as well as wildlife parks. My advice is to research all of the activites you want to see and limit that to several locations so you have time to visit and not spend all your time travelling.:D

[aussielozzie18]

I assume your daughter wants to photograph our native animals in the wild (rather than a free-range park). Best bet would be our National Parks. At the Basin, 1hr north of Sydney, there are swamp wallabies that roam around during the day. At Fraser Island, there are wild dingoes. At Port Stephens NSW, there are koalas and dolphins. These are just a few examples.

 

Re: Phillip Island VIC, you will see lots and lots of fairy penguins walk up the beach and up pathways from the beach from your viewing platform. You do need to pre-book and although it is well run, its is very touristy and busy.

 

Best bet is to do research of our National Parks and see which ones are do-able within the timeframe you have and the distance you want to travel.

[MicCanberra]

Canberra (3 hours south of Sydney with lots od free things to do) has roos everywhere and at Tidbinbilla (a national park nearby) there are Koalas, emus, and if you are really lucky wombats, echidnas and platypus can occasionally be found.:D

Edited August 8, 2013 by MicCanberra

[Aus Traveller]

Re Little Penguins at Phillip Is - Don't go there to photograph the Little Penguins as no cameras are permitted.

[Trekker954]

wow, glad I asked. Doesn't sound like Phillips Island would be worth the time and expense to get there. Although penquins are soooo cute. I know its a big country, thus trying to limit our destination at the southern end.

 

I believe we are looking at a south pacific cruise out of Syndey somewhere in the Oct - Dec timeframe. We'd probably do the land portion before the cruise.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Trekker954

[MicCanberra]

wow, glad I asked. Doesn't sound like Phillips Island would be worth the time and expense to get there. Although penquins are soooo cute. I know its a big country, thus trying to limit our destination at the southern end.

 

I believe we are looking at a south pacific cruise out of Syndey somewhere in the Oct - Dec timeframe. We'd probably do the land portion before the cruise.

Ok, what sort of time frame for the land portion and is there any particular thing you want to see outside of Sydney apart from the wildlife.:D

[annenic]

As you will definitely be in Sydney pre-cruise, aussielozzie18's suggestion of The Basin (also called Coaster's Retreat) could be a good one and would make for a nice day out. From the bus terminal at Wynyard Station catch a L190 bus to Palm Beach - this takes you across the Harbour Bridge and north and is an express bus with minimal stops and an interesting journey - probably takes around an hour (not sure as I don't usually travel by bus all the way to Palm Beach).

 

Then, at the Ferry Wharf at PB - catch the ferry across to The Basin. Quick trip - probably 10 mins I'm guessing. The Basin is lovely and as aussielozzie18 mentioned has lots of swamp wallabies - these are very used to people and are not scared as The Basin is a very popular camping ground for holidays and long weekends. It is a beautiful spot for any sort of photos. There might be sea eagles around but you would be unlikely to see other wildlife there - you'd have to be very lucky!

 

Mind you, in Pittwater (the water you cross to get to The Basin) we have spotted turtles, little penguins, and dolphins - but we sail this water A LOT :)

[annenic]

Ooops, actually it is an L90 bus not a L190. It's a "bendy" bus :)

 

If you do plan to do this....suggest you either take your lunch with you as there are no shops at The Basin. Or....better yet, get fish and chips opposite the wharf at PB and enjoy while waiting for the ferry - or on the ferry. Lovely!

[aussielozzie18]

Re The Basin - yes its an hour on the bus from Sydney CBD to Palm Beach. Then a lovely ferry trip across Pittwater - one of the most beautiful waterways in Sydney - to the The Basin. Ferry trip takes 10-15 mins (they make a couple of shorts stops on the way). Did this last weekend - didnt see any other wildlife though - you would need to be on Pittwater on a regular basis (like lucky annenic) to see the other wildlife.

[rugbypopsie]

Another vote for Canberra...lots of wildlife, the mountains, emus, more kangaroos than you can think of.....

 

Also within easy reach of Sydney is the Hawksbury River area...ferry ride, fantastic scenery.

 

Sue

[MicCanberra]

Another vote for Canberra...lots of wildlife, the mountains, emus, more kangaroos than you can think of.....

 

Also within easy reach of Sydney is the Hawksbury River area...ferry ride, fantastic scenery.

 

Sue

Canberra is great for wildlife in the wild, here are some links to highlight this. http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/kangaroo-spotting-in-canberra.htm

http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Things-to-do-and-see/Outdoor-and-nature.aspx

We have so many roos in our suburbs, on our streets and lawns, etc, that unfortunately too many get hit by traffic. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/canberra-nrma-car-accidents-kangaroos/4827544 .

[KarateMan]

You will need to let us know how long you want to stay in Australia for and if money is any obstacle to your travels. To get the best advice from everyone it will be helpful to know how long you want to stay. It could be expensive getting to some places or it could be done at a budget. There are plenty of wildlife parks around areas of Australia that are well worth a visit if you want to see the native animals. The zoos will probably only show you what you can see anywhere else in the world so you are probably best focusing on native parks in this country.

 

One option would be to tell us the places you are staying at and people here will know straight away if there is a local business or tour company in the area that specialises in day adventures for what you are after.

[aussielozzie18]

If you hire a car, Canberra is really easy to drive to from Sydney.

[MicCanberra]

If you hire a car, Canberra is really easy to drive to from Sydney.

Especially from the airport, straight onto the freeway (which has a toll) and down to Canberra in 3-4 hours mostly on dual carriage way roads (so no wrong side of the road issues).:D

[aussielozzie18]

Just reading a thread elsewhere on CC and someone has recommended the Yankee Hat Aboriginal Walk in the Namadgi National Park in Canberra. Apparently, you can see thousands of kangaroos and Aboriginal Art. Another reason to visit Canberra.

[Bowie MeMe]

We traveled Australia on a land tour with a 4 day cruise out of Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef (www.coralprincesscruise.com.au). We did go to Kangaroo Island and stayed in the most lovely B&B where we were provided with proper "torches" (had red light I think?) so that we could walk over a few blocks and see the "fairy penguins". There were lots of them. Not particularly pretty in my opinion and they smell very bad. Many babies in late June when we visited. Saw many Kangaroos and Koalas out in the wild and unfortunately some hit by cars -- they all have roo bars! We flew in a very small plane and they weigh you and your luggage before boarding the plane. We left most of our luggage in Adelaide. I loved Adelaide -- just a neat city with lots of outdoor restaurants though it was cool to cold in June.

 

Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uualas were very interesting though a long way there (we had a Qantas air pass deal). I liked Brisbane very much with beautiful city park and Cairns and several National Parks. We drove to Toowoomba Queensland to visit a friend and that was a very different view of "regular" life in Australia. We thought we saw and did a great deal but we both agreed that 4 days in Sydney was not enough for even the highlights. Our favorite activity was the city tour by boat on a picture perfect weather day around the harbor of this great city.

 

Have a great time.

[MicCanberra]

Just reading a thread elsewhere on CC and someone has recommended the Yankee Hat Aboriginal Walk in the Namadgi National Park in Canberra. Apparently, you can see thousands of kangaroos and Aboriginal Art. Another reason to visit Canberra.

 

Yes, it is a nice walk, lots of kangaroos, about a 3 hour walk. It is approx a 30 min drive south of Canberra (will need your own transport), nice country but not touristy, it is a bush walk.

We have plenty of reasons, free museums and galleries.:D

[MicCanberra]

We traveled Australia on a land tour with a 4 day cruise out of Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef (www.coralprincesscruise.com.au). We did go to Kangaroo Island and stayed in the most lovely B&B where we were provided with proper "torches" (had red light I think?) so that we could walk over a few blocks and see the "fairy penguins". There were lots of them. Not particularly pretty in my opinion and they smell very bad. Many babies in late June when we visited. Saw many Kangaroos and Koalas out in the wild and unfortunately some hit by cars -- they all have roo bars! We flew in a very small plane and they weigh you and your luggage before boarding the plane. We left most of our luggage in Adelaide. I loved Adelaide -- just a neat city with lots of outdoor restaurants though it was cool to cold in June.

 

Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uualas were very interesting though a long way there (we had a Qantas air pass deal). I liked Brisbane very much with beautiful city park and Cairns and several National Parks. We drove to Toowoomba Queensland to visit a friend and that was a very different view of "regular" life in Australia. We thought we saw and did a great deal but we both agreed that 4 days in Sydney was not enough for even the highlights. Our favorite activity was the city tour by boat on a picture perfect weather day around the harbor of this great city.

 

Have a great time.

 

I am glad you did, you certainly saw quite a few of the great places to go. Ticked off the tourist triangle as well as getting KI and Brisbane in.

So when are you coming back to see more? :D

[Trekker954]

I will look into Canberra. I talked to my daughter about Phillips and not being close to the penguins. She mentioned there is a private VIP tour that puts you right on the beach so viewing is good. But she didn't know about not being able to take photos.

 

I'd imagine we have up to 5 or 6 extra days to play with. I'll be using points/miles for air and hotel, so we should have some extra money to use for some enjoyable excursions. Not sure I'm brave enough to drive on my own. Heck, I don't even like driving in U.S. cities when I go on business trips.

 

I appreciate all the tips.

[MicCanberra]

I will look into Canberra. I talked to my daughter about Phillips and not being close to the penguins. She mentioned there is a private VIP tour that puts you right on the beach so viewing is good. But she didn't know about not being able to take photos.

 

I'd imagine we have up to 5 or 6 extra days to play with. I'll be using points/miles for air and hotel, so we should have some extra money to use for some enjoyable excursions. Not sure I'm brave enough to drive on my own. Heck, I don't even like driving in U.S. cities when I go on business trips.

 

I appreciate all the tips.

 

Righto, do your research into what and where you want to go. 6 days is not a whole lot of time, (Australia is so large) so I suggest you pin point 2 locations other than Sydney and have a 2-3 days in each.:D

[Aus Traveller]

I will look into Canberra. I talked to my daughter about Phillips and not being close to the penguins. She mentioned there is a private VIP tour that puts you right on the beach so viewing is good. But she didn't know about not being able to take photos.

 

I'd imagine we have up to 5 or 6 extra days to play with. I'll be using points/miles for air and hotel, so we should have some extra money to use for some enjoyable excursions. Not sure I'm brave enough to drive on my own. Heck, I don't even like driving in U.S. cities when I go on business trips.

 

I appreciate all the tips.

Re Phillip Island - I suggest you check out the website. It is called the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. You will be able to confirm that no cameras are allowed. I remember that we couldn't take ours. I also doubt that any tour, VIP or not, would have people right on the beach at Phillip Island. Maybe they have a reserved area of seating at the front of the stand (where we saw lots of Japanese tourists).

 

The problem with photographing penguins is that they come ashore just after dark and at no site are people allowed to use flash photography. At some other places we also couldn't take our camera. The best we found was at Low Head in Tasmania where visitors were divided into groups of 8 or 10 people who walked through the colony with a guide. Our guide let us take the camera with the flash disabled and when the penguins came ashore he shone his torch on the group and we got some good photos (using a Canon 5D).

[MicCanberra]

Re Phillip Island - I suggest you check out the website. It is called the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. You will be able to confirm that no cameras are allowed. I remember that we couldn't take ours. I also doubt that any tour, VIP or not, would have people right on the beach at Phillip Island. Maybe they have a reserved area of seating at the front of the stand (where we saw lots of Japanese tourists).

 

The problem with photographing penguins is that they come ashore just after dark and at no site are people allowed to use flash photography. At some other places we also couldn't take our camera. The best we found was at Low Head in Tasmania where visitors were divided into groups of 8 or 10 people who walked through the colony with a guide. Our guide let us take the camera with the flash disabled and when the penguins came ashore he shone his torch on the group and we got some good photos (using a Canon 5D).

Unless there are some spotlights or you have a very, very good camera, you wouldn't get much on film without the flash.:D

Edited August 12, 2013 by MicCanberra

[Aus Traveller]

Unless there are some spotlights or you have a very, very good camera, you wouldn't get much on film without the flash.:D

 

Exactly. The only time we got good pics was when the penguins were lit by a hand-held torch and the high-quality camera was put on a slow setting. At Phillip Island, even if you were allowed to take your camera, you wouldn't get a very good result because of the distance visitors are from the birds (and obviously the low level of light). The reason they don't let visitors take cameras to nearly all the penguin sites is that some people don't know how to turn the flash off (even if they can on their camera) and some people wouldn't anyway because they would want to get the pics even if it scared the penguins.