A Living Landscape
The Territory is home to 400 species of birds, 150 mammals, 300 reptiles, 50 frogs, 60 species of freshwater fish and several hundred species of marine fish.
Most local species of birds and mammals have been comprehensively described, but new species of fish, frogs, reptiles, invertebrates and plants continue to be discovered.
Birdwatching
The Territory's prolific birdlife provides some of its most spectacular wildlife experiences. Witness the massive aggregations of magpie geese and dancing brolgas in the billabongs and floodplains of the north, the noisy flocks of budgerigars and parrots in central Australia, and the threatened gouldian finch.
Crocodiles
The mighty saltwater crocodile is the most famous of the Territory's creatures and can be seen in many rivers and billabongs in the Top End or wildlife parks in-and-around Darwin.
For a closer look at a saltwater crocodile, head to Darwin's Crocosaurus Cove, home to the famous ‘Cage of Death’ swimming with crocodiles experience. The two-story freshwater aquarium displays north Australian fish species, freshwater crocodiles and turtles and there are daily crocodile and fish feeding shows.
Wildlife cruises
A great way to see the wildlife of rivers and wetlands in the Territory is on a guided cruise. Yellow Water is a landlocked billabong in Kakadu National Park where you will see submerged crocodiles, wild horses, buffalo and other wildlife. During the wet season, it floods and attracts millions of migratory birds.
Wildlife parks
Wildlife parks are a great way to get close to local animals on display in their natural habitats.
At the Territory Wildlife Park near Darwin, visitors can walk through the nocturnal house, into a monsoon forest or under the aquarium inhabited by a 14-foot (4 meters) saltwater crocodile.
The Kangaroo Sanctuary is a place to celebrate the beauty of the red kangaroo – an Australian icon. The Sanctuary is located in Alice Springs [GC2] and is home to Brolga’s kangaroo family as seen on Kangaroo Dundee (a Nat Geo documentary). Join a guided tour and experience 188 acres of wildlife reserve and meet the kangaroo characters from Kangaroo Dundee.
