Move over Africa, new research shows Australia is the world’s number one wildlife destination.
For decades, wildlife travel has focused on one iconic concept: the Big Five.
Traditionally it referred to the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo, but a survey by UK-based adventure travel company Explore Worldwide has revealed interest in animal encounters has evolved, with NSW home to three of the modern Big Five: kangaroo, koala and whale.
Google searches for “wildlife holidays” have increased by 211 per cent in the past year, which prompted Explore Worldwide to survey 2400 people across 12 countries to identify the animals travellers most want to see in their natural habitats.
Australia ranked as the most in-demand country for wildlife experiences in the survey, chosen by over a third (38 per cent) of respondents.
The new Big Five
- Panda (41 per cent)
- Elephant (32 per cent)
- Kangaroo (32 per cent)
- Koala (30 per cent)
- Whale (29 per cent)
Explore Worldwide named NSW’s Murramarang National Park as the perfect spot to see eastern grey kangaroos, which come down to the beach at dawn.
Port Stephens was suggested as the spot to see not only koalas, but dolphins too.
Meanwhile, NSW’s ‘Humpback Highway’ is expected to welcome record numbers of whales this season, putting the state’s coastal tourism operators in the fast lane from April to November.
“Australia is home to extraordinary levels of biodiversity, with wildlife found nowhere else in the world,” Explore Worldwide said.
“From wombats and wallabies to saltwater crocodiles and quokkas, and even the Tasmanian devils, the country offers a truly unparalleled variety of encounters to explore.
“Not only is it diverse, but accessible too, making it the perfect base for exploring. Whether that's visiting eucalyptus forests, rugged outback or marine reefs, there are countless things to discover.
“Global appeal for Australia remains high, with over 32,500 searches for wildlife trips to Australia in the past year alone.”
Learn more here.
