10 Aussie Animals you're likely to see at Sunset Creek

At Sunset Creek, nature is the real star of the show. From bounding kangaroos to silent little bats, our sanctuary is a haven for native Australian animals. Whether you’re heading out on a guided nature walk or just relaxing near your tent, you never know what you might spot.

Here are 10 incredible Aussie animals you’re likely to meet at Sunset Creek — and a few fun facts that might just make you fall in love with them!

1. Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Let’s start with the celebrities of the bush — the Eastern Grey Kangaroos. These majestic marsupials are abundant at Sunset Creek and often spotted in family groups, known as mobs. They're typically most active at dawn and dusk, hopping gracefully across the open paddocks or gathering beneath the trees for shade.

They can leap over 6 feet high and travel at speeds of over 60km/h when startled — although they usually prefer a lazy graze! Keep an eye out for joeys, snug in their mother's pouch or practicing their hops close by or visit our joey nursery to get an up-close look at one of these bush darlings!

Did you know? Kangaroos can’t walk backward — it’s one of the reasons they appear on the Australian coat of arms!

2. Swamp Wallaby

Often overshadowed by their larger kangaroo cousins, Swamp Wallabies are smaller, darker, and beautifully elusive. They prefer solitude and thick bush, which makes Sunset Creek’s scrubby areas perfect for them.

With a distinctive hunched posture and loping gait, they’re more likely to be seen alone than in groups. Swamp Wallabies are also one of the few macropods that browse on shrubs rather than graze on grass, meaning they’re often seen nibbling on leaves, bark, and ferns.

Fun fact: Female Swamp Wallabies are known to be pregnant almost continuously — they can carry one joey while another is still developing in the pouch!

3. Red-necked Wallaby

You’ll often spot these wallabies around the edges of forested areas. As their name suggests, they have a reddish tinge on their neck and shoulders, and their gentle expressions and large ears make them particularly endearing.

Red-necked Wallabies are a little more curious than swamp wallabies and may pause to check you out before hopping away. They love cool, shady spots and will often be seen nibbling on native grasses in the early morning.

Wild tip: Try sitting quietly near a known path — patience is rewarded when wildlife doesn’t feel threatened.

4. Microbats

These tiny insect-eating heroes are often overlooked, but they play a massive role in keeping insect populations under control. At Sunset Creek, they emerge at dusk and silently sweep through the air, catching mosquitoes and moths.

Microbats use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark — sending out high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects so they can "see" with sound.

Cool fact: A single microbat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour. Talk about natural pest control!

5. Echidna

You might mistake them for a pinecone with legs, but that’s an echidna on the move! These spiky, snuffling creatures waddle around Sunset Creek’s woodland areas looking for ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to scoop up meals.

Echidnas are monotremes — egg-laying mammals — and incredibly shy. If threatened, they’ll dig into the ground or curl into a ball of spines.

Look carefully: A rustle near a log or a series of small, round holes in the dirt might mean an echidna is nearby!

6. Tawny Frogmouth

Masters of camouflage, Tawny Frogmouths blend perfectly into the bark of trees. During the day, they perch motionless on branches, pretending to be a broken limb. At night, they become excellent insect hunters.

Unlike owls, they’re part of a different bird family and don’t have talons — they catch their prey with their beak instead.

Pro tip: If you find what looks like a "tree stump with eyes" during a walk, take a second look — it might be a tawny watching you.

7. Laughing Kookaburra

There’s no sound more iconic than the laughter of a kookaburra echoing through the bush. These birds perch proudly on fence posts, gum trees, or even clotheslines, watching for prey.

Kookaburras feed on insects, small lizards, and even the occasional snake. They bash their catch against a tree branch before swallowing it whole — brutal but effective!

Family activity idea: See if your kids can learn the kookaburra call — they’ll love trying to copy that chuckling laugh.

8. Crimson Rosella

Bright and bold, Crimson Rosellas are a splash of colour among the eucalypts. Their vibrant red bodies and blue wings make them easy to spot, especially when they’re nibbling on seeds or calling to one another with a soft "chink-chink" sound.

They’re usually seen in pairs or small flocks and are particularly active in the morning and late afternoon.

Fun fact: Juvenile rosellas are green and gradually change colour as they mature.

9. Goanna

Australia’s second-largest lizard, the Goanna (or lace monitor) is a fascinating (and slightly prehistoric-looking) creature. They can grow up to 2 metres long and are usually shy, keeping to themselves unless startled.

Goannas are excellent climbers and often forage for eggs, insects, or carrion. If you see scratch marks on tree bark or a large reptile sunning itself on a warm rock, you might be in goanna territory.

Important note: Never approach or feed a goanna — they’re powerful, wild animals with sharp claws and a strong bite.

10. Brush-tailed Possum

These nocturnal marsupials come to life when the sun goes down. You might hear them scampering across roofs, rustling in the trees, or even see them peeking out from tree hollows or nesting boxes.

With their fluffy tails and big eyes, possums are often a favourite among younger visitors. While they’re common in suburban areas, it’s a treat to see them thriving in a natural setting.

Kid tip: Bring a torch on an evening stroll and gently shine it into the trees — you might spot one!

Wild Encounters Await

Sunset Creek isn’t just a place — it’s a thriving habitat filled with life, sound, and story. Every animal encounter, whether it’s a kangaroo’s calm gaze or a flash of rosella feathers, connects us more deeply to the land and its rhythms. And if you have a nature lover in your midst, don't forget to check out our FREE backyard wildlife journal for kids - guaranteed to get the young ones outside exploring!

So next time you visit, bring your binoculars, your quiet feet, and your sense of wonder — the animals are waiting.