Photos And Information About Native Wildlife Common To Gippsland

The large areas set aside as protected areas in South Gippsland, such as in Wilsons Promontory National Park, provide safe havens for the diverse range of native wildlife, creatures and birds found here.

Wombat

The hairy-nosed wombat is common throughout South Gippsland and although loved by many they cause worry to farmers by digging large tunnelled burrows on fertile farmland. Much of their habitat has been destroyed  but fortunately there is still some remnant bush and you’ll find several local landholders are also re-planting their farms with native timber providing a haven for these quite large creatures.

Be especially careful when driving here at night because the slow moving wombat is often crossing just when you least expect it. This gorgeous and quite friendly baby wombat pictured here was photographed from the side of the main road at Wilsons Prom.

Brush-Tailed Possum

Being quite charming and friendly, the possums are amusing to watch at night. The mothers will often bring their babies close to us to be given a tit-bit of food … apples and pear being favourite treats. They can create quite a nuisance if they find any gaps in your roof and they will happily make nests inside the ceiling cavity. If you keep overhanging branches well away from the house, they won’t bother to run loudly across your roof as much. They will eat fruit from your trees but a strong net over a frame will keep them out prior to harvest time. Giving them nesting boxes in the trees makes up for the lack of natural hollows where they prefer to make their homes.

When I first moved to South Gippsland, I was very surprised to receive regular visits from a mother with her baby. I’m guessing the people who lived in the house before us, were feeding them by hand. That was not a habit I wanted to encourage but it was a treat to see them up close and trusting of humans.

Koala

The much loved koala is spotted rarely as it sits very still in the fork of gum trees .. .but during the mating season, the noises can be something like out of a horror movie. I know of people who have been terrified when hearing their pig-like screams during the night for the first time.

As cuddly as they seem, don’t ever pick one up without protective clothing. Even the young ones will scratch as they are trying to get a firm hold of you. We provide them with a succession of eucalypt trees which gives them protection, food and shelter and it is always a delight to spot one relaxing during the day. The koala pictured on this page was taken at a location near Port Franklin called the Kodak Koala Walk.

Wallaby

Wallabies are smaller than Australian Kangaroos and can often be spotted later in the afternoon finding something to eat on the side of the road. I’ve seen wallabies in every area I’ve ever been in Australia and have been told they are widespread across the country, particularly in more remote, rocky and rugged areas. A visit to Wilsons Prom National park will give you an easy and natural way to see them, especially if you take one of the walks further away from the camp ground.

This beautiful South Gippsland Wallaby was photographed near the Five Mile Road Walking track and has a very large joey in her pouch. The wildlife here are generally accustomed to seeing humans in this beautifully protected area so they are relatively easy to get close to and photograph.

Echidna

These somewhat elusive creatures always bring a smile to my face as we see them scurrying out of our way in the garden or across the road.

If you get too close they will bury their long noses in the ground and curl their spikes towards you.

Being useful little animals, they eat any ants that they find when searching and I imagine them to be one of our most loved native creatures in South Gippsland.

I have yet to be quick enough to photograph one of these beauties in the wild but enjoy watching them scurry out of the way. This photo was taken in Australia Zoo.

Emu

Emus can apparently grow up to 2 meters tall and the ones I’ve seen at Wilsons Prom have certainly been huge. They don’t fly because their wings are too small and although I’ve been close to them at various zoos in Australia, the closest I’ve ever come to them in the wild might be 10 meters or so, and they tend to run off quickly before I have a chance to get the wildlife lens focused.

This one pictured here was running alongside the car while we were driving so I was pleased to get a picture of one in its natural habitat. I’ve also seen them kneeling down drinking from puddles on the side of the road but have rarely seen them outside of the Australian National Parks.

Photographs of Native Australian Wildlife Taken in their Natural Environment

Commonly found throughout South Gippsland in Victoria, along the east coast of Australia and especially in abundance at Wilsons Promontory National Park. Pictures on this page include photos of emus, wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, koalas, lizards and even Witchetty or Bardi Grubs that were found in an old gum tree limb that was cut down because it looked as if it was dying. Now we know what its real struggle was. Further down this page we have include Tasmanian Devil,  frilled necked lizards, stumpy tailed lizard, blue tongue lizard,  brush tailed possum, , spiny backed anteater, echidna, magpies, galahs, gecko, red wallaby, echidnas and more.