New research by Audley Travel experts reveals quokka are the most popular type of Australian wildlife with US residents

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May 30, 2024, 11:00 ET

Audley Travel has revealed the ten most popular endemic wildlife you can encounter in Australia according to UK Google search data, with quokkas topping the list.

LONDON, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From koalas to kangaroos, Australia's unusual wildlife has long-captivated American travelers. To find out which animals people want to encounter most, experts at Audley Travel have analyzed US Google Search data, revealing quokkas as top of the list, with wombats and platypuses rounding out the top three.

Helping to explain why quokkas are so popular, Audley Australia specialist Haley Chesna says: Quokkas are always popular with visitors to Australia as their facial expression often resembles a grin and their inquisitive nature makes them engaging to watch — and easy to photograph. They're no bigger than a housecat, and their petite size adds to their adorableness."

You'll find quokkas in the southwest region of Australia, and Haley recommends Rottnest Island as one of the best places to encounter them, set off the coast of Perth. "You'll see them in their natural habitat here, scurrying about or snoozing in the shade — while quokkas are nocturnal by nature, a lack of predators on Rottnest Island means they're out and about more in the daytime."

In second place is the wombat. These marsupials are surprisingly swift — they can almost run as fast as Usain Bolt. "Because wombats are primarily nocturnal, one of the best ways to see them is first thing in the morning, when they're sleepy and moving at a slower pace," says Haley. "Stay at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge on Tasmania and you might get a chance to see one wandering the trails at the crack of dawn while you head down for breakfast."

The third most-searched for Australian animal in the US is the platypus. With enormous beaks and flat, paddle-like tails, this waterborne mammal certainly has a distinct look, but not everyone will know that they're also highly venomous.

"Platypuses are particularly elusive, which makes them all the more sought after," says Haley. "I link up my clients with an expert naturalist guide who knows all the best secret spots for actually getting a chance to spot one." The Atherton Tablelands, set in the rainforests of Queensland, is one of the prime places to see these unusual mammals.

The travel experts at Audley can help craft a trip to see the top 10 most popular Australian wildlife species, listed below. Audley pairs clients with the best naturalist guides to help them encounter these animals in the most authentic way possible — in the wild and away from crowds.

Top 10 Australian wildlife:

Quokka
Wombat
Platypus
Koala
Kangaroo
Emu
Tasmanian Devil
Cassowary
Echidna
Dingo

For more information

Nicole Barnard
tmwi, acting on behalf of Audley Travel
[email protected]
01789 404180

Note to editors:

Audley Travel is an expert in individually designed travel, creating meaningful experiences in more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Its dedicated destination specialists use their firsthand knowledge to plan your trip down to the finest detail, choosing experiences that speak to your passions and pairing you with local guides who are top of their field.

SOURCE Audley Travel