Australia is one of the largest countries on the planet, spanning an area greater than India, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Spain and the UK combined. Its enormous size is matched by an equally impressive range of environments, from vast deserts and tropical reefs to alpine mountains, great wetlands and savannah grasslands.
With so many different environments, it’s no wonder Australia’s wildlife is so diverse. This set of images showcases some of the country’s weirdest and most wonderful animals.
Southern cassowary in Queensland. Credit: Michael Cook, Altai World Photography/Getty Images
Saltwater crocodile in Northern Territory. Credit: Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
Australian fur seal pup looking near Montague Island in New South Wales. Credit: Wildestanimal/Getty Images
King brown snake at dusk. Credit: Kristian Bell/Getty Images
Red-tailed black cockatoo. Credit: Tracie Louise/Getty Images
Western grey kangaroos at sundown. Credit: Lea Scaddan/Getty Images
Male peacock jumping spider, photographed near Perth. Credit: Robbie Goodall/Getty Images
Koala in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Credit: Moisseyev/Getty Images
Black flying fox takes to the sky. Credit: Robert Downer/Getty Images
Whale shark swims through a bait ball. Credit: Samuel J Coe/Getty Images
Barking gecko pauses for breath. Credit: Kristian Bell/Getty Images
Green sea turtle near Lady Elliot Island in Queensland. Credit: Marnie Griffiths/Getty Images
Dazzling budgerigars light up the Outback. Credit: Vicki Smith/Getty Images
Leafy sea dragon under the jetty at Rapid Bay in South Australia. Credit: Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty Images
New Holland honeyeater in Tasmania. Credit: phototrip/Getty Images
Pod of common dolphins. Credit: RugliG/Getty Images
Brolga preening its feathers. Credit: Kristian Bell/Getty Images
Thorny devil, one of Australia’s most recognisable reptiles. Credit: Henry Cook/Getty Images
Powerful owl chick. Credit: Kristian Bell/Getty Images
Wombat at Lesueur Point on Maria Island in Tasmania. Credit: Posnov/Getty Images
Western grey kangaroo fight in Western Australia. Credit: Posnov/Getty Images
More spectacular wildlife photography from around the world