Top 12 Wildlife and Elephant Encounters in Australia

1.Kakadu Wildlife Escape Fogg Dam or Crocodile Cruise from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 295 reviews · from $155Our pick

This 12-hour Kakadu day trip from Darwin combines Indigenous rock art at Ubirr or Nourlangie, Kakadu scenery, Cahills Crossing, and either Fogg Dam or an Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise. Guides such as Ric, Daryl, Dani, Naomi, and Alex provide commentary in a small, air-conditioned minibus for up to 21 people.

“A great experience and a lovely way to spend a day. Rick our tour guide was very informative and made the day very enjoyable. The Adelaide river jumping crocs was well worth it and the stops along the way were very welcome for food, hydration, bathrooms and cultural enrichment.”

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2.Kakadu National Park & Wildlife Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · 12 hours · from $166

Spend 12 hours travelling from Darwin into Kakadu National Park, with stops at Fogg Dam, Bowali, Cahill Crossing and Ubirr. You can add the Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise. Guides such as Lee, Pascal, Daryl and Becs bring Aboriginal culture, wildlife and Top End stories to life, but expect a long day with plenty of driving.

“Great day. Our driver and guide’s knowledge of the area, Indigenous history and culture, habitats and interaction of the wildlife and flora was outstanding. Although it was a long day, all our needs were thoughtfully catered for. Unforgettable memory.”

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3.Kakadu National Park Wildlife & Ubirr Rock Art Tour from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $168

Travel from Darwin to Kakadu in a small air-conditioned mini-coach with an outback guide such as Rick, Darryl, Boggi, or Aaron. See Fogg Dam wetlands, Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, Cahills Crossing crocodiles, and broad views from the rock summit. Add the Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise for an extra fee.

“A very informative day , incredible scenery & a great guide ( Rick). We went on the crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River which was amazing & very exciting. Loved seeing the ancient rock art at Ubirr. Definitely would recommend this tour”

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4.Tasmania: Wilderness and Wildlife Guided 6-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 60 reviews · 6 days · from $831

Travel Tasmania with an English-speaking guide on a six-day small-group route from Hobart through the West Coast, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, Freycinet, and Richmond. Choose easy or moderate walks, stay in hostel or motel accommodation, meet devils and wombats at Bonorong, and add a Gordon River cruise at your own cost.

“I don’t even know what to say, it was the best week in Australia so far! I loved it❤️”

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5.PRIVATE Blue Mountains Wilderness & Wildlife Late Start Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $731Top rated

Spend about 10 hours exploring the Blue Mountains in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a photographer guide. Visit Calmsley Hill for a VIP koala encounter, stop at waterfalls and valley lookouts, walk near Evans Lookout, and see the Three Sisters after the main crowds leave. Lunch and dinner are included, with dietary choices available.

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6.Litchfield National Park Waterfalls & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 43 reviews · 10h 30m · from $113

Leave Darwin by air-conditioned mini-coach for Litchfield’s waterfalls, rock pools and famous Magnetic Termite Mounds. Guides such as Leigh, Daryl and Aaron share local stories and wildlife facts. You may add a jumping crocodile cruise or visit Fogg Dam, then swim at Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole and Wangi Falls when conditions allow.

“Absolutely stunning locations. Guide, Emily, was very knowledgeable and entertaining and organised an unforgettable experience.”

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7.Litchfield National Park Waterfalls & Wildlife Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $115

Leave Darwin at 7:30 am for Fogg Dam, giant magnetic termite mounds, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned mini-coach with a guide such as Daryl, Tim or Emily, stop for swimming and wildlife, and return around 6:30 pm. Add the one-hour jumping crocodile cruise if you want a closer look at Adelaide River crocodiles.

“Danni and krista are wonderful guides and Danni stories and sense fun made the king drives between places enjoyable”

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8.Kalbarri: Murchison River Wilderness Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 2h 30m · from $49Best value

Spend 2.5 hours aboard Kalbarri Wilderness Cruises, traveling 6 km up the lower Murchison River and out to its Indian Ocean mouth. Expect commentary on local history, fishing, plants, and wildlife, with chances to see pelicans, ospreys, kangaroos, dolphins, and red rock formations. Tea and coffee are included.

“A great low effort excursion with lots of wildlife. We saw goats, kangaroos, pelicans and even dolphins.”

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9.Morialta Wilderness and Wildlife Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $88

Leave central Adelaide at 8am in an eight-passenger minivan for a four-hour hike through Morialta Conservation Park. Walk about 6 km past three waterfalls, gorges, quartzite cliffs, and Fourth Creek while looking for koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, and native birds. The pace is relaxed, but steep and uneven trails require good fitness.

“I was a bit nervous about doing this solo but it was a great experience! Chris was a fantastic guide and made the tour very easy and enjoyable”

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10.Hobart: Mt Field National Park & Wildlife Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 7 hours · from $130

Leave Hobart’s cruise terminal for Mt Field National Park, where you’ll walk to Russell and Horseshoe Falls and beneath towering swamp gums. Then visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for wallabies, wombats, and a Tasmanian Devil feeding show. Guides such as Trevor keep the day moving, with time for a bakery-style lunch.

“We enjoyed our guide, Trevor. He was knowledgeable about Mount Fields National Park. He kept our group moving at a swift pace. He spotted a pandemelon in the thick tree growth and we got nice photos. Trevor was overly considerate waiting for guests who were no shows. I wonder if there could have been better communication between the main offices and Trevor. I would have liked to have more time at Bonorong.”

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11.Tasmania: 6-Day Comfort Tour for Wilderness and Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 days · from $1,483

Join Under Down Under Tours for a six-day, small-group circuit from Hobart through Tasmania’s wild west and east coasts. Guide Haydyn leads short walks, the Gordon River cruise, Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, and wildlife stops. Expect motel stays, several included meals, and an active but relaxed touring pace.

“Fantastisk måde at se og opleve Tasmanien på . Fik set og hørt om ting og steder vi aldrig selv ville have nået at finde på kun 6 dage. Tætpakket program som vores guide Haydyn på professionel og sikker vis hjælp os igennem .Haydyn var virkelig en dygtig og interessant guide og fyldte vores tur med gode oplevelser og masser af viden . Hotelstandard stiger hver nat . Morgenmads standarden kunne være højere. Fantastisk at mødes med rejseledsager fra forskellige steder i verden og få nye bekendtskaber . Vil absolut anfald denne tur til andre der vil opleve Tasmanien sammen med andre og og som på kort tid vil se…”

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12.Adelaide: Morialta Wilderness and Wildlife Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4h 30m · from $87

Join an English-speaking guide such as Shavojn for a 4.5-hour morning walk in Morialta Conservation Park. Use supplied binoculars to seek koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras, fairy-wrens, and seasonal wildflowers among quartzite cliffs, creeks, gorges, and waterfalls. Hotel pickup, park fees, transport, and morning tea are included.

“Guide was fantastic and the food & wine was also.”

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