When is the best time to see kangaroos in Australia?

When is the best time to see kangaroos in Australia?

The best time to see kangaroos in Australia is around dawn or dusk. Kangaroos are also more active during the day during the cooler months.

Once you’re out of the cities, it is relatively easy to see kangaroos in Australia. Between the several kangaroo species, they cover much of the country, although not the tropical areas.

Of course, many visitors wish to see kangaroos without having to go to a wildlife park or zoo and their hangouts don’t take too much hunting down.

Kangaroos generally like reasonably flat, grassy areas that have the option of shaded bushland nearby. Campgrounds and golf courses are absolutely perfect for this.

But when is the best time of day to see kangaroos?

Best time of day to see kangaroos

Kangaroos are often regarded a nocturnal, but this is not strictly true. They are often active during the day – it’s just that they’re more active at night. If you want to see them during the day, they are notoriously active at dawn and dusk. This can be nightmarish if driving down an unlit country road, and a few just jump out in front of the car. Kangaroos can travel at speeds of up to 55km/h.

But for wildlife watchers, heading out in the early morning or late afternoon pays dividends. The roos will usually be resting in the bushes during the day.

Best time of year to see kangaroos

Kangaroos tend to be more active during the day in the cooler, winter months.

In the summer, it is too hot to be bounding about in the open, so they’ll retreat to the bushland and lie down.

Tours that take you to see wild kangaroos

If you’re not confident of tracking them down yourself, around Australia, there are tour options that will take you to see kangaroos in the wild.  

From Perth, you can try a half day tour to Yanchep National Park. From Sydney, a day tour to the Southern Highlands takes in wombats and kangaroos. In Melbourne, you can do a day tour to the roo-riddled Grampians.

Kangaroo at the Look At Me Now Headland, Emerald Beach
Kangaroo at the Look At Me Now Headland, Emerald Beach. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

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