Red Crab Migration: Christmas Island, Western Australia
Sir David Attenborough labelled Christmas Island the "kingdom of the crabs", and for good reason. This fascinating place is home to an abundance and diversity of land crabs not matched anywhere else on Earth. Christmas Island is world-famous for the annual Red Crab migration which takes place typically in November through to December. You won’t see anything like this anywhere else. Every year, when the first summer rains begin to fall, 50 million red crabs march, en masse, from the lush rainforest in the middle of Christmas Island (a 3.5-hour flight from Perth) down to the sea, where they mate and spawn in the world’s biggest beach party. It’s an extraordinary sight, with roads and pathways across the island transformed into rippling red ribbons of crabs that cover every obstacle in their path. There are even special crab bridges to help them get across the roads! The migration lasts up to 18 days, and it’s just as impressive when the crabs make their way back to their burrows in the rainforest post-beach-party.
Getting there: Reach Christmas Island on a flight from Perth, Western Australia to discover a truly untouched natural paradise.
Penguin Parade: Philip Island, Victoria
Phillip Island combines incredible Australian wildlife experiences set to the backdrop of spectacular landscapes. Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world. You can experience the magic of watching these amazing seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows any night of the year as the sun begins to set from our viewing platforms and boardwalks. The famous Penguin Parade is just the beginning, so get ready for a holiday filled with nature, local food and wine and fresh sea air.
Getting there: Getting to Phillip Island is easy. Choose from a comfortable drive of under 2 hours from Melbourne, let someone else do the driving and jump on the bus, or board the inter-island passenger ferry that crosses the bay to Phillip Island.
Killer Whales: Bremer Canyon, Western Australia
Naturaliste Charters has been offering spectacular marine adventures across Western Australia’s southwest region for over 20 years. This all-day ocean adventure is one to tick off the bucket list and is a once in a lifetime experience. Bremer Canyon has become one of the most sought-after whale watching expeditions across the globe, with over 100 killer whales returning each year from January to April. Other species seen include dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, Australian sea-lions, giant squid and many albatross species.
Getting there: Just a 5.5 hour drive from Perth and passing through beautiful country towns along the way.
From charismatic kangaroos to enigmatic emus, most of Australia’s wildlife is endemic – found nowhere else on the planet – and an animal encounter is a highlight of any visit.
Check out our suggestions for more wildlife-themed adventuring.
