Animal & Wildlife Encounters

Here are our insider tips of where to spot wild dolphins, kangaroos, emus and waterbirds:

Dolphins – regularly visit the calm waters in the centre of Mandurah and are a joy to watch while dining alfresco by the waterfront or just strolling along the foreshore. Some residents say that you are almost 100% guaranteed to see a dolphin at the Dawesville Cut as they have never once walked their dogs here without seeing a dolphin.

Kangaroos – graze on Melros Beach Reserve and Florida Beach Reserve in the late afternoon. You can also spot them close-up near the picnic area at Serpentine Falls National Park.

Emus – can often be spotted walking along the lake shores at Lake Clifton at Yalgorup National Park.

Black Swans – mass between October and March at Lake Pollard at Yalgorup National Park.

Red-tailed black cockatoos – are native to south western Australia and can be seen high up in the trees from the Emu Walk Trail that leads from Dwellingup town centre to the Forest Discovery Centre.

Visit our Wildlife Parks & Tours

Salt & Bush Eco Tours – Wildlife Nocturnal

Discover what happens in the Bush after the sun goes down.  Salt & Bush Eco Tours have amazing insight into the local nocturnal wildlife. Take a  walk with your head torches on and seek out the nocturnal animals that are waking up. Discover more about Western Australia’s amazing wildlife on a guided Nocturnal walk.  For more information and other tours visit Salt &  Bush Eco Tours.

Ranger Red’s Zoo

Ranger Red’s Zoo is a privately funded, hands-on zoo and wildlife sanctuary, in a lush setting on the banks of the Murray River in Pinjarra. Visiting Ranger Red’s Zoo is a bit like visiting one of your own family, who just happens to have hundreds of pets. Get close to and learn about over 100 species of birds and animals that will capture your imagination, including: koalas, wombats, dingoes, exotic birds, snakes, reptiles, bengal cats, quolls, possums and owls! The walk-through aviary and Tasmanian Devils are star attractions.

The Tasmanian Devil breeding programme is of vital importance. This species is endangered in the wild because of an incurable facial tumour disease and Ranger Red Zoo’s breeding program contributes to the Tasmanian Devil’s long-term future.

Kids can also experience working at the zoo with the ‘Zookeeper 4 a Day’ program.

Cohunu Koala Park

Located in Byford, Cohunu Koala Park has a colony of up to 15 koalas which you can pay to hold. You can also hand feed the native wildlife that roams free in the park.

Farm Animals

Caraholly Orchard – At this beautiful farmers market every Sunday you can hand feed the cows with apples from the orchard.

Midway Farmstall – Just off Forrest Highway, near Pinjarra Road, this is the perfect place to stop for delicious coffee and a bite to eat while the kids play with the farm animals.

Ferndale Springs Farm – Gain insights into a real working farm in Coolup. Mustering sheep, feeding cattle and eating damper and kangaroo are just some of the things you will experience here.