The Northern Territory is more than just a place to find the beautiful natural wonders in the country, it is also home to various forms of wildlife, all with their own characteristics and habitats. From the wild crocs of the wetlands to the gentle fish of the rivers, you’ll find some of the most unique animals of the outback here in Darwin. It’s definitely the place to be for all Australian wildlife lovers!
Here’s our personal guide to all the wildlife you can find in the Australian outback in and around Darwin. We also have some animal encounters and wildlife tours in Australia if you’re looking for a more fulfilling experience with these beauties!
The wildlife you can find in the Northern Territory is quite diverse, ranging from mammals, marsupials, reptiles, fish species, and birds. Find yourself in the right place at the right time and you may just witness these creatures at their most fascinating – living in their natural habitat.
For starters, you have the amazing saltwater crocodiles, 100,000 of which live in the Northern Territory. As the largest living reptile species, crocs are some of the most ferocious predators in the wild. Their ability to stay underwater for an extended period of time allows them to hide and stealthily capture their prey near the water. It might be scary to witness, but it truly is a sight to behold.
Then there’s also the elusive barramundi. This fish is a staple of Northern Territory wildlife, with the region carrying the largest population in the country. For this reason, it’s a popular fish to catch for anglers everywhere. You can find lots of them in mangroves, billabongs, and wetlands during Wet Season.
It doesn’t just stop there, however. There are tons of unique animals of the outback that are just dying to be met! Mammals such as kangaroos and wallabies, dingoes, and possums as well as reptiles like the carpet python and the frilled neck lizard are all native to the area.
Up above, Darwin wildlife also boasts over 400 species of birds such as the beautiful Gouldian finch and the Tiwi hooded robin. And finally, with its rich water habitats, no Australian wildlife encounter in the Northern Territory is complete without meeting turtles, dolphins, whales, and the like.
While these beautiful and unique animals of the outback are well protected, some of them are facing the threat of endangerment and extinction. As such, all tourists must do their part in ensuring these creatures aren’t harmed and that they are appreciated in a conscious and responsible manner.
With so many animals to meet, it can be overwhelming to know which tours to take to actually see them. But with our list of Australian wildlife tours and encounters, you’ll get a chance to meet and appreciate these beloved creatures.
Our helicopter tours offer an experience that can help guests appreciate Australian wildlife from another angle. We have our Kakadu Explorer and Top End Explorer tours which will take you to see the beauty of Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park respectively. The saltwater crocs you’ll see make the journey absolutely worth it.
We also have half day and full day heli fishing packages to take tourists to remote locations where you can appreciate and catch abundant fish. And if you want to experience the outback wildlife with a few pints of beer, join our half day and full day heli pub crawl!
If you want to get up close and personal with the crocs, our Top End Safari Day Camp and Overnight Camp are the perfect packages for you. Check out these monsters in all their ferocious glory as they snack on their favourite food with your help (safely, of course)!
And finally, for a view of the lush island wildlife, our activities at the Tiwi Island Retreat also include estuary and bluewater fishing where you can catch various types of salmon, snappers, and more.
Only the best animal encounters in Australia are what we offer here at Matt Wright Wild Territory. So if you’re down to meet the most diverse Australian outback wildlife, send us a message and book now!
We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present, and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation; we are proud to work closely with the traditional owners of the Northern Territory and to honour their land and culture in everything we do.