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View Australia’s Wonderful Wildlife, Including Kangaroos, Koalas and Crocs, With These 15 Photographs

See some darling—and some dangerous—animals in images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

A koala bear perches high in a tree
A koala bear perches high in a tree
A koala bear perches high in a tree in Port Lincoln as tourists approach. Leighton Lum, 2024

View Australia’s Wonderful Wildlife, Including Kangaroos, Koalas and Crocs, With These 15 Photographs

See some darling—and some dangerous—animals in images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Photographs selected by Quentin Nardi

A koala bear perches high in a tree
A koala bear perches high in a tree in Port Lincoln as tourists approach. Leighton Lum, 2024
Australia is home to some of the world’s most distinct and recognizable wildlife. It’s the native habitat of kangaroos, koalas, emus, Tasmanian devils and a host of other species that cannot be found anywhere else in nature. Nearly 90 percent of its mammals, 93 percent of its reptiles and 45 percent of its bird species are found only on the continent, according to Australian Wildlife Conservancy. For most of the world, seeing these creatures up close means hopping on a plane, but Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest entrants have saved you a flight. See Australia’s extraordinary animals here.
A kangaroo mom and her joey
A kangaroo mom and her joey usually form a tight bond. The father kangaroo plays no role in his offspring’s upbringing.
  James Smart, 2018
The southern cassowary
The southern cassowary, found in Northern Australian and Papua New Guinea, is the third-tallest bird in the world. Some say the species is clearly the visual link between dinosaurs and birds. Graeme Guy, 2024
a crocodile’s mouth
Seeing a crocodile’s mouth open this wide and at such proximity often spells trouble. Adriana Greco, 2020
A dingo
A dingo seemingly admires the ocean from atop sand dunes at Myall Lakes National Park. Melinda Simonffy Restrepo, 2020
This roo was heading into bushland
This roo was heading into bushland after feeding on mangrove pods that had washed up on the beach overnight at Cape Hillborough, Australia. James Smart, 2019
A sleeping Koala and her joey
A sleeping Koala and her joey on North Stradbroke Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Koalas sleep 18 to 22 hours a day to conserve energy, as their diet of eucalyptus leaves is low in nutrients and hard to digest. Sydney Widlitz, 2024
a wild Tasmanian devil
Primarily nocturnal, a wild Tasmanian devil, looking much tamer than the Looney Tunes portrayal, crawls through the bush at night. Health Holden, 2013
The Emu
One of the most iconic Australian animals is the emu. It is friendly, curious and a very good model for portraits. Dyego Custodio, 2016
a western grey kangaroo bounds across a lake
Using its strong hind legs, a western grey kangaroo bounds across a lake. Christian Spencer, 2024
Australian crocodiles
Considered much more dangerous than their American counterparts, Australian crocodiles are usually heavier and more aggressive. James Sernovitz, 2023
A common wombat joey
A common wombat joey exploring the world near mom. Wombats are beloved marsupials of Australia, known for their tunneling skills, slow lifestyle, and cute looks. Steffen Foerster, 2024
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park boasts more than 2,000 animals across 260 species, including this colorful cassowary. Larry Snowhite, 2016
The Tasmanian devil faces a high risk of extinction
The Tasmanian devil faces a high risk of extinction, and it is federally protected in Australia. Adriana Greco, 2018
A Major Mitchell cockatoo
A Major Mitchell cockatoo fills the sky with color in the outback. Christian Spencer, 2017

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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