The Grampians wildlife adventure

The Grampians consist of rugged mountain ranges, forested hills, and grassy plains dotted with waterways and verdant greenery.

Rich in biodiversity, the wildlife reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds and animals, many of which are endemic to the area. There are 36 mammals, 35 reptiles, six fish, and 13 crustacean species that can be found only in the area.

A journey into the wilds of the Grampians remains the best chance to spot some of Australia’s endemic animal species in their natural habitat. Although some wild animals do not harm humans, most are dangerous when threatened. It is highly advised not to disturb them.

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Birds and fowls

grampians wildlife tour

Of the 800 bird species in Australia, 350 are native to the region. Emus and ostriches are common in the Grampians and the endangered cassowaries. The woodlands and bushlands also host hundreds of species of birds — colourful parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, ducks, and much more.

Monotremes and marsupials

grampians tour

Of the 800 bird species in Australia, 350 are native to the region. Emus and ostriches are common in the Grampians and the endangered cassowaries. The woodlands and bushlands also host hundreds of species of birds — colourful parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, ducks, and much more.

Only two monotremes or egg-laying mammals are found worldwide in the Grampians. The short-beaked echidnas are commonly seen in the area, especially during warmer months. But it is scarce to see the platypus in lakes and waterways.

grampians wildlife

Marsupials, or pouch mammals, are native Australians. Although most marsupials are herbivorous, some are carnivorous, like the antechinus and dunnarts, often confused with rats. But they do have pouches. In Hayou’rep, agile, dusky, and yellow-footed antechinus are commonly seen around houses. The dunnarts, though, are hard to find.

There are also the beautiful southern brown bandicoots and long-nosed potoroos in the Grampians, but sadly, they are easy prey to their common predators in, foxes and cats.

If you want to see the koalas, they’re pretthey’realent in the Grampians. You can spot them on the forks and branches of eucalyptus trees, lazily dozing off or munching on leaves.

A large number of nocturnal possums and gliders can be found in the Grampians. You can spot some common brushtail, ringtail, or eastern pygmy possums in the wild at night. But gliders are rarely seen especially the feathertail and squirrel gliders.

If you want to have a closer look at the eastern grey kangaroos, then Halls Gap is the best place to be. Kangaroos and wallabies roam freely in the wild. Western grey kangaroos grazing in the grassland, as well as red-necked, black, and brush-tailed rock wallabies, are a usual sighting.

The Grampians is home to 11 species of native bats such as the white-striped freetail, chocolate wattled, and eastern false pipistrelle bats. It also hosts 4 native rodent species such as water rat, smoky mouse, heath mouse, and swamp rat.

grampians birds

The presence of dingoes, dogs, red foxes, and feral cats is not unusual. You can also spot other herbivorous mammals like European rabbits, brown hares, wild goats, red deer, and fallow deer.

There are only two monotremes or egg-laying mammals worldwide, and they’re all found in the Grampians. The short-beaked echidnas are commonly seen in the area, especially during warmer months. But it is scarce to see the platypus in lakes and waterways.

Reptiles, amphibians, fish, & crustaceans

Reptiles also populate the Grampians region and many of them are natives — turtles, geckos, lizards, skinks, monitors, snakes, and dragons. Yes, dragons but they’re not the dangerous monsters we see in movies. They’re jacky lizards, eastern bearded, and mountain heath dragons. But be careful with snakes though because many of them are extremely venomous.

There are twelve species of frogs and toads in the Grampians. Pobblebonks and brown-tree frogs are very common in the area. They live in or near the streams and lakes which are also home to native fish species such as mountain and eastern little galaxias, Yarra pygmy and southern pygmy perch, flathead gudgeon, and freshwater river blackfish.

Also, 13 native crayfish species that are found in the waterways of the Grampians, and six of these crustaceans are only found in the area.

grampians animals

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