My favourite spots to see kangaroos by the beach in Australia
Every time I tell people I am from Australia, they always assume kangaroos live in my front yard. Whilst sure, this may be a reality for some people, the truth is kangaroos are not just roaming around for all to see. They are wild creatures, and they must be sought out as such.
There are 4 species of kangaroos in Australia, not to be mixed up with wallabies. Unless you are a keen biologist, I am sure you would be thrilled to see either a kangaroo or wallaby by the beach, as they look very similar. There is no doubt that kangaroos by the beach is an iconic bucket list item - It is a quintessential Aussie moment, one I hope every visitor can experience if that is what they are after. This post will highlight some of the best spots to see kangaroos by the beach in the East Coast of Australia, plus some locations on my hit list for the future. So, let’s get into it!
My #1 spot: Red Cliff, NSW
This is a hard spot to give up, as I truly believe it is one of the greatest camping spots I have ever been to. I would love it to stay that way, but I would also love people to go and witness the beauty and magic of this amazing beach.
What I love about Red Cliff is that it is a NSW National Park, with a dedicated camp spot and limited availability. This ensures the beauty of the place will never be overrun, as there can only ever be a certain amount of people that can stay overnight.
Red Cliff campsite is right on the East Coast in NSW, about a 7 hour drive from Sydney. The beach is right there, and there is not much else around except for ocean, sand, and of course the kangaroos.
If you stay here, I want to say you are almost guaranteed to see kangaroos. The best times to spot them are at dawn and dusk. Be sure to get your cameras ready, they are very use to people and don’t shy away. Still ensure you are mindful and keep your distance though, they are wild animals after all.
If you’re ready to book, Use this website.
A kangaroo taking a sec’ on the beach at Red Cliff, New South Wales.
My second spot to see kangaroos by the beach in Australia is Cape Hillsborough.
I have put this as my second spot as it is quite famous and therefore was a lot busier and more ‘touristy’ than I originally thought. The kangaroos come down to the beach just after dawn, as there is a park ranger who brings them food every morning. To this, I was surprised and didn’t love it as much, as I prefer wildlife encounters that are truly wild, without human intervention.
What I can say though, is that the rangers never touch the kangaroos, they simply leave the food on the sand for them to eat when they are ready. They also put markers out, to ensure the public stays a reasonable distance from the kangaroos at all times. To this, I am grateful for, and it assured me that it was still a responsible way to experience kangaroos by the beach.
If you choose to go to Cape Hillsborough, be prepared to be joined by a large group of people, and be prepared to see the kangaroos in a ‘staged’ way. I still think it was an awesome experience, and you definitely get the amazing views of kangaroos by the beach. Once they have their breakfast, they bound off to the sunrise which is amazing to watch.
Another reason to love Cape Hillsborough is that it is a gateway to the famous Whitsundays, and you can cross 2 bucket list Australian moments off your list. This spot is along the Coral Coast of QLD, about halfway between Brisbane and Cairns, and just out of Mackay, making it quite easy to get to.
It also offers camping and cabins are available for those who don’t want to camp. You can book directly on the tourist park website here.
Kangaroos bounding off into the sunrise at Cape Hillsborough Queensland.
My third spot to see kangaroos by the beach is South West Rocks
This town is absolutely pumping with kangaroos. I can say for sure that the residents here are the ones who do have the kangaroos in their front yards. The town of South West rocks is a beautiful, sleepy coastal town in Northern NSW. What differentiates my last two spots to see kangaroos on the beach from South West rocks, is that this spot is a town rather than a campsite or national park.
Just driving around, you will spot a bunch of kangaroos in this coastal town. Going for a walk at the beach at dusk or dawn will improve your chances of seeing kangaroos right by the beach, but even so, you still get to experience kangaroos in a coastal town in Australia. To me, that is a pretty cool thing to get to experience.
My top tip is to head to the gaol in the morning. It is a grand old structure, with amazing views of the horizon. When we went, we were lucky enough to spot a mother kangaroo with a joey in her pouch, it was amazing to witness! [elaborate]
Those are my top 3 recommendations of where to see kangaroos by the beach in Australia. I have focused on spotting kangaroos in the East Coast of Australia, as that is where I have lived most of my life, and done most of my travels. As like all of my posts, I like to write from the heart and from my own experiences. This ensures my content is authentic and my readers can be assured I have personally done the things I am writing about.
If I were to go again
If you are looking for other options as to where to see kangaroos by the beach in Australia though, I would also look at:
Esperance
And Kangaroo Island of course
I have been to neither of those locations so I cannot attest to what you may experience, however they all look like incredible places to visit, and I have seen amazing photos of kangaroos by the beach in each spot.
My overall tip, if you want to see kangaroos by the beach in Australia, just hit the road and travel to small coastal towns. Get up early, and go for a morning walk by the beach. You will never know what you may find! And remember, whilst kangaroos are extremely cute and friendly looking, they are still wild animals and should never be approached - keep a safe distance!
Until next time,
Kaia x
