Kangaroos are lovable creatures. My interest in kangaroos was first aroused when I toured some of my favourite hiking spots in New Zealand. Certain species of this amazing marsupial dwell in Melbourne, Australia, New Guinea, and in offshore islands on the eastern side of the Bismarck Archipelago.
The Melbourne Zoo is the most convenient place to get a glimpse of the Eastern Grey kangaroo within a replicated natural environment. A nearby zoo, only a 30-minute drive away, is known as Werribee Open Range Zoo. The zoo has a sizable mob of Eastern Greys and Red Kangaroos.
In this article, I will highlight the best spots to sojourn near Melbourne where you may spot a mob of kangaroos grazing. If you are an outdoor person, you can visit the following places near Melbourne to see kangaroos:
This park is located beside the Yarra River in Templestowe. The 120-hectare recreational and environmental park is accessible from Porter Street or Fitzsimons Lane. It is advisable for you to call the park’s management to inquire if prevailing conditions are favourable for a visit.
Kangaroos are visible across the open grassland at any time of the day. The park is also a perfect location for bird lovers.
A three-hour drive north-west from Melbourne brings you to a small town known as Halls Gap which is the central town in the Grampians region.
Since the town is located at the heart of the Grampians National Park, it is the best location to spot a variety of wandering wildlife beside kangaroos. Hall Gaps town is probably the only town in the world that has kangaroos bouncing in the Central Business District!
The kangaroos of Hall Gaps may be deemed as tame since they seldom crave human attention. However, beware that they are still wild kangaroos. I consider this town among the 5 “Big” Things in Australia to see in a special way.
Most females carry baby kangaroos (joeys) in their pouches. Note that almost all species of kangaroos enter heat less than one week after giving birth. Mating and conception occur while the latest offspring is still very young. Interestingly, the microscopic embryo enters a state called diapauses, which means it stops growing until the joey is old enough to leave the pouch.
Churchill National Park is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. A large section of the park is rehabilitated woodland with only small areas of the original forest.
The park is open daily between 10 AM and 4 PM and it remains one of the most significant sites for sightseeing kangaroos and wallabies. The landscape of Churchill Park is serene and relaxing. Tracks throughout this park provide for peaceful and reflective walks punctuated with natural sounds and bird activity.
The most convenient route to approach Plenty Gorge Park is through Gorge Road, South Morang. You can visit the park any day between 7 AM to 7 PM during daylight savings.
Within this location, you may also spot kangaroos in Hawkstowe Park accessible from Gordon’s Road through Plenty Road. Unlike the kangaroos of Hall Gap town, the mob of kangaroos in Plenty Gorge is intent on human activity. The nearby Blue Lake is a spectacular landscape, especially at sunset. Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is another important place for spotting kangaroos.
Whether town or bush kangaroos, I recommend that you try spotting them early morning or at dusk. As they graze, they may occasionally be joined by deer, kookaburras, emus, rabbits or sulphur-crested cockatoos. However, while in Melbourne City, you ought to take a tour guide with you. Keep in mind that Australia is home to some of the most venomous creatures in the world.
