MOJO News is an independent student publication. Read the Charter of Independence here. MOJO News is an independent student publication.
Read the Charter of Independence here.
Read the Charter of Independence here.
By KIANNA DOUTHAT
When people think of Melbourne, they don’t often associate it with wildlife. To many, the only native animals that visit their neighbourhoods are the possums raiding their rubbish bins.
However, living in suburbia doesn’t mean you can’t get back to nature. There are plenty of native animals that can be found around Melbourne if you know where to look.
Here are 10 Aussie animals that you can see in and around Melbourne, without visiting a zoo. If you are lucky enough to see one then take a photo but never attempt to touch, catch or feed them.
They might be the largest species of bat in Australia but the grey-headed flying fox is no blood-sucking vampire. This fruit-loving bat is one of our city’s most iconic animals. You might have seen their silhouettes adorn the sky at night, but did you know that you can see them up close? The biggest roosting colony is in Yarra Bend Park, between Yarra Boulevard and the Eastern Freeway overpass, where they can be found sleeping upside-down in the trees. Of course you’ll need to visit during the day, before the bats take flight for the evening. They’re impossible to miss and can be seen from any of the viewing platforms along Yarra Boulevard.
At only 33 cm tall, the little penguin, formerly known as the fairy penguin, is the smallest species of penguin in the world. They are the only species to breed on mainland Australia, and here in Melbourne we are lucky to have a colony at St Kilda Breakwater. Take a walk along the pier at dusk and you can often see these sleek little guys going to and from the water in search of fish. Volunteer guides from Earthcare St Kilda are available and more than willing to provide information about the penguins and their habitat. The best time to see them is from late winter to early summer.
There’s a reason this iconic bird features on our 10c coin – the superb lyrebird is a songbird like no other. With the extraordinary ability to mimic both natural and man-made sounds, they can often be heard showing off their talents. During the winter mating season the males perform a song and dance, waving their impressive tail plumage. Superb lyrebirds can be found around Melbourne but you may need to put on your walking shoes. The best places to go looking are Masons Falls picnic ground in Kinglake National Park and the Lyrebird Loop walking track in Ferntree Gully.
This bright green critter is one of Australia’s largest frog species. Named after its unique call that consists of several short grunts and a long deep growl, if they can’t be seen they will almost certainly be heard. Growling grass frogs are found in several locations around Melbourne, including the big wetland area at Caroline Springs. They can be found floating in the water or out on the banks if it’s a sunny day. They are most active at night, but if you choose to go in the evening be sure to take a torch.
Victoria’s largest rodent the Rakali is not your average rat. Native to Australia and semi-aquatic, the rakali more closely resembles an otter. With webbed feet and a thick muscular tail, these guys are perfectly adapted for swimming. You can distinguish this particular species not only by their size, but by the white tip of their tail. The best place to view rakali is at the St Kilda Breakwater. Some have been known to make an appearance during the day, but it is recommended to go at sunset. So buy some fish and chips, enjoy the views and be entertained as they frolic around in the bay.
Who doesn’t love the humble wombat? Possibly Australia’s most under-rated native animal, the wombat usually doesn’t get a look in. They are often thought of as clumsy and slow, but wombats are strong animals that are well adapted for digging. You can go looking for wombats in Lower Eltham and Upper Templestowe. Take the Main Yarra Trail from Fitzsimons Lane for 1-2km, but go after dark. If you’re quiet you will know where to shine your torch as they grizzle and grunt their way about the forest in search of food.
This new species of bottle-nose dolphin is the only cetacean endemic to Australia, and they occur right here in Port Phillip Bay. They can usually be seen by carefully scanning the water from the headlands, between Frankston and Pt Nepean. Visiting during calmer weather is better, as you won’t have waves inhibiting your view. But if seeing them at a distance isn’t enough then there are several dolphin tours on offer. All can get you up close and personal with these beautiful sea creatures. Sadly the burranan dolphin is critically endangered, with their total numbers estimated to be less than 100.
This cute little fellow is characterised by his long brown snout and black button eyes. Once plentiful in metropolitan areas, they are no longer as common due to habitat loss and predation by feral animals. However there are still some places you can find them in and around the big smoke. The picnic ground in the bush area of Cranbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens is not just a great place for lunch, but also the perfect place to spot a southern brown bandicoot. They are often out in the middle of the day, making them a great animal to visit with young kids.
As Australia's largest owl, the powerful owl is truly majestic. Despite its large size, finding one is not always easy. Their dark brown-grey colour means they have have good camouflage for the woodland forests where they live. But pay a visit to the 1000 Steps walk in Ferntree Gully and you might be lucky enough to see a set of big yellow eyes staring back at you. This species also roosts in the rainforest section of the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can ask one of the grounds keepers if there have been any recent sightings as they’re usually aware of what’s around. Of course, being nocturnal, your best chance of spotting one is after dark, but you'll need a good flash light.
Despite being one of Australia’s most iconic species, the platypus is also one of the most elusive. These unique critters are largely nocturnal and tend to stay away from civilisation. But there are some areas around Melbourne where a platypus can still be found happily swimming about. One such place is the Yarra River at Wombat Bend, Templestowe, just upstream of the kids park. If you’re lucky you might see one or two by standing on the footbridge at dusk. There is a pair that live in the area who enjoy swimming and feeding in the rapids at the day's close.
Thanks to Monash University lecturer Dr Rohan Clarke for providing recommendations and invaluable advice.
