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There are few places that do unique animals like Australia. David Whitley picks the top animal spotting spots in the land of marsupials and monotremes.

Forget the big rock, the reef and the harbour - for soft-centred types, Australia’s main attraction is its spectacular array of weird wildlife. Although the stereotype of kangaroos bounding down the street isn’t quite true, there are still plenty of spots across the country where it’s possible to have an awesome wildlife experience. And here are just ten of them…

Rottnest Island

The popular holiday island off the coast of Perth was so named by Dutch explorers because they thought it was full of rats. They were mistaken – the rats were actually quokkas.

The cat-sized marsupials roam around Rottnest with impunity, and can be rather audacious when it comes to rummaging around in bags for potential snacks. Visitors can be fined for touching the quokkas, but there are enough of them hopping around to provide plenty of entertainment. Just keep an eye on your sandwiches.

Tower Hill State Game Reserve

If Rottnest Island’s quokkas aren’t exactly shy, then the emus at Tower Hill are downright impudent. They show no fear whatsoever, and will come bounding up to visitors in the picnic area.

It’s also worth going for a walk around the reserve, near Warrnambool in Victoria. It’s an old volcanic crater that has been set aside to allow native trees and wildlife to flourish. Keep an eye out on the ground, as Tower Hill is one of the best places in the country to spot echidnas – they look rather like porcupines but are related to the platypus.

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