What animals to spot in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains’ sprawling mountaintops hide an astonishing amount of wildlife within.

See animals swooping through the forest’s branches, climbing up the jagged rock formations, and frolicking within the trickling creeks. The Blue Mountains is a paradise for some of the most fascinating Australian animals. It is the perfect place to be surrounded by nature and see these creatures in the wild.

There are over 400 species of animals that call the Blue Mountains their home. On a walk through the Blue Mountains, you’re sure to see tons of wildlife. Below are just a few of the creatures to keep an eye out for while strolling through this surreal landscape.

· Koalas

While Down Under you cannot miss a chance to see the famous cuddly koala. They can be found all over Australia, including the Blue Mountains. Though you could see koalas in the zoo, spotting them in the wild is a totally different experience.

The Blue Mountains’ most common tree is the eucalyptus, which covers the entire mountaintop range. In fact, the eucalyptus tree is so prominent that it causes the blue haze we see over the Blue Mountains. As luck would have it, Koalas only eat one type of tree; the eucalyptus!

You will have to keep your head up and look at the tree branches. Koalas can be difficult to spot as they blend in with their surroundings. So, search these trees and try to spot the furry grey lumps dotted amongst the branches.

· Kangaroos

Next up on everyone’s favourite Aussie animals is the Kangaroo! A group of kangaroos is referred to as a “mob”, and there are many in the grassy areas of the Blue Mountains. You can see them either snoozing in the shade, nibbling on the grass, or hopping around the area.

Similar to koalas, kangaroos can be seen all over Australia. You can view them in the zoo, but it is more fun to see them in their natural habitat!

You can also find wallabies hopping around as well. They can be easy to confuse with kangaroos if you don’t know much about the species. To put it simply, they are essentially smaller kangaroos that never grow bigger.

· Blue Mountain Water Skink

The Blue Mountain Water Skinks are rare lizards are found lazing around swamps in New South Whales. They possess dark coloured bodies with strips of yellow and white running from head to tail.

They are easiest to spot on sunny days and are most active between September to April. These lizards can be difficult to spot, so if you do, it’s your lucky day! The Blue Mountain Water Skink is unfortunately an endangered species, which is why they are rare to see. Despite this, you may have the chance to spot them, so keep your eyes towards the ground.

· Cockatoos

Chances are, you will hear a cockatoo before you even spot it. Notorious for their noisy chatter ringing across the bushland, cockatoos are one of Australia’s favourite birds. In the Blue Mountains, you can see both the classic white feathered cockatoo and the black cockatoo.

Cockatoos are very intelligent birds and are typically pretty active during the day. The Glossy Black Cockatoo is the most difficult to spot, but they are out there. Search the skies and branches or simply follow the noise while trekking through the bushland.

· Lyrebird

The Lyrebird is another famous bird to look out for when visiting the Blue Mountains! The Lyrebird is a fascinating bird with its musical call. The elaborate bird calls create an enchanting atmosphere. They are one of the most interesting birds in Australia because they can mimic many different sounds.

Rather than looking towards the sky, you will find this bird lounging along the bushland’s floor. Look out for the Lyrebird’s long protruding tail of feathers peeking out above the bushes. If you happen to spot one, be sure to stop to watch these magnificent birds as they stroll about and mimic different sounds.

Now that you know some animals to look for when visiting the Blue Mountains, you can trek along the hiking paths like an expert. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Related article: The Wildlife of the Blue Mountains

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.