Animals & birds of the Golden Outback

The animals of Western Australia’s Golden Outback are as diverse as the stunning natural landscapes they inhabit. Along the rugged southern shores you’ll encounter playful marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and sea lions. And on the sweeping red plains in the north of the region, you’ll find small, versatile marsupials who have adapted perfectly to the dry outback environment.

It’s not unusual to see emus, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, dingoes and galahs roaming the wide open spaces of the outback. Be sure to look to the skies while travelling through the Northern Goldfields for a glimpse of the majestic wedge-tailed eagle. And if you’re passing through the Wheatbelt region, pay a visit to Barna Mia Animal Sanctuary near Narrogin, where you’ll find some of the rare and unusual native marsupials, including the bilby, boodie and woylie.

The birds of Western Australia’s Golden Outback can be spotted soaring in the vast blue skies and flitting through the woodlands of this diverse region. Above the open plains of the Northern Goldfields, you’ll see the wedge-tailed eagle circling the skies in search of prey. Off the southern coast you’ll encounter Australian pelicans and majestic sea eagles. Roaming the roadsides are families of emus and playful galahs. And at dawn and dusk, the bush is alive with the calls of tiny finches, budgerigars and lorikeets.

Bird enthusiasts should head for Cape Arid National Park, near Esperance. The park is home to more than 160 bird species and walking trails provide good bird watching opportunities. Check out the Kangaroo and animal encounters page for more nature-based holiday experiences, or contact the local visitor centres for information about where to spot native birds of Western Australia’s Golden Outback.