Flora and fauna of Australia

Acacias
Acacias are better known as Wattle, and made up of around 660 different species. They vary greatly in size although have a distinctive yellow colouring. The majority of the species flower during the end of winter or the beginning of spring. The largest Arcacias is the Blackwood Wattle (Arcacias melanoxylon), which is found within the eastern and southern parts of Australia. The most common Arcacias is the Golden Wattle (Arcacias pycnantha), which is found in the South Eastern parts of Australia, as well as the hotter and drier climates. It is also the floral emblem of Australia. Inland the most common Arcacias is the Mulga Wattle (Arcacias aneura), which has a harder wood then many of the other species. It was also used to make tools and weaponry by the Aboriginal people.

Banksias (Banksia spp)
There are 76 different species of Banksia, with a total of 75 found naturally in Australia. The greatest range of Banksias are found in South Western Australia, with a number of others found within the Eastern parts of Australia. However, Banksias are generally not found within the rainforests along Australia’s Eastern Coast or within the more arid regions of Australia. Banksias can survive in poor quality soils unsuitable for most other plants. The Banksias branches spread upwards, and hold spikes topped with orange, red and yellow flowers. Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) was the first European to collect specimens of Banksias in 1770, which is where these plants got their name. The sweet nectar from Banksias, was also used by the Aboriginal people to make a drink.

Boab (Adansonia gregorii)
Boabs can only be found within the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is found within rocky areas and has a very distinctive look. Its thick trunk holds root like branches sprouting from the top. It’s real roots stay underground and can spread a distance of about 23 metres across. Boabs are relatively small in comparison to other trees found around Australia, with their height reaching upto about 20 metres.

Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii)
The Bunya Pine is endemic to Queensland, Australia. The natural habitat of the Bunya Pine is within the ranges and rainforests around Brisbane and Southern Queensland. However, the Bunya Pine can grow in many places around Australia and the world.

The Bunya Pine is a large tree with a straight trunk, which can grow to around 45 metres high. It carries prickly leaves, male pine cones, and female pine cones which contain edible seeds and can weigh upto 10kg. Although the Bunya Pine only harvests cones every three years, the cones are plentiful and were traditionally used by Aborigines as a food source.

Cabbage Palms (Livistona mariae)
Cabbage Palms are unique to Central Australia, in particular the area surrounding Alice Springs. They have tall thin trunks, which can reach heights of about 30 metres, with short branches of rich green leaves sprouting from the top. These leaves were used by both the Aborigines and the European settlers. The Aborigines used them for food, while the European settlers used them to make hats.

Callistemons
Callistemons are commonly found in New South Wales, although can also be seen in various other parts of Australia. The Callistemon is also known as the Bottlebrush, and its brightly coloured petals stem out from the flower like a brush. There are about 25 different species with the most commonly found including the Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), the Prickly Bottlebrush (Callistemon brachycandrus) and the Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis). These can vary in size from about 1 metre tall to 10 metres tall.

Coolabah (Eucalyptus microtheca)
Coolabah belongs to the Eucalypt family and can be found in the inland regions and northern Australia. They have an unusual twisted look to them and grow to about 20 metres high.

Desert Oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana)
The Desert Oaks are found in the dry desert region around Central Australia. The thin trunk of the Desert Oak holds a large bloom of branches and soft feathery leaves. The young Desert Oaks look very different to the older trees being tall and thin, rather than full and bushy.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp)
Eucalypts are one of Australia’s most well known trees, and often referred to as Gum Trees. There are about 700 species of Eucalypts, which can be found all over Australia. The different species vary greatly in size and shape and require various environments to survive.

Ghost Gum (Eucalyptus papuana)
The Ghost Gum can be found in Central Australia as well as the northern parts of Australia. It’s thick trunk is covered in vivid white bark, with dark green leaves clumping at the end of its branches.

Grevilleas
Grevilleas is a shrub, and 230 of the 250 different species are native to Australia. Grevilleas range in colour, although all have thin spreading petals. One of the smaller species of Grevilleas includes the Banks Grevillea (Grevillea banksii), while one of the large includes the Silky Oak Grevillea (Grevilliea robusta), which grows to about 30 metres tall.

Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp)
Kangaroo Paw is often seen in gardens in eastern Australia, although grows in the wild in Western Australia. The Mangle’s Kangaroo Paw is actually Western Australia’s floral emblem, and has traditionally been used in Aboriginal medicines. The Kangaroo Paw can be of varying colours, although all maintain the tubular flowers which have a velvet feel to them.

MacDonnell Ranges Cycad (Macrozamia macdonnelli)
MacDonnell Ranges Cycad can be found on rocky ranges and gorges. They grow extremely slowly and belong to the Cycad family. They have an unusual short trunk, which holds the females’ seed cones, and the males’ pollen.

Melaleucas
Melaleucas are commonly referred to as Paperbarks due to their paper like bark which peels from the trunk. The dead peeling bark enables moisture to stay within the trunk, at the same time as protecting the tree from extreme weather conditions. There are several different varieties of Melalucas with the most commonly seen being the Bracelet Honey-Myrtle (Melaleucas armillaris), Long-Leaved Paperbark (Melalucas leucadendron), and the Swamp Paperbark (Melalucas ericifolia). Melalucas have also traditionally been used by Aborigines in a water source (from within the trunk) and as a building material for various objects (the bark itself).

Mitchell Grass
Mitchell Grass can be found amongst the clay soil of northern Australia and the Top End. Its extensive root system allows it to survive in the dry season.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
The Norfolk Island Pine, is as its name suggest found only on Norfolk Island off of the New South Wales coastline. They are tall trees commonly found in parkland and lining residential streets.

Pencil Pine (Athrotaxis cupreeoides)
The Pencil Pine is a tall slim tree, which has upward growing branches. It is only found in Tasmania, and lives high up within rainforests.

River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
River Red Gums belong to the Eucalypt family, and are found near rivers and water systems as they require constant water. River Red Gums grow to about 40 metres high, and live for about 1000 years.

River Sheoak (Casuarina cunninghamania)
The River Sheoak belongs to the Casuarina family, and like its name suggests can be found along the riverbanks around Australia.

Saltbush
Saltbush is found in various regions over Australia, with about 30 different species in total. Saltbush is found in the dry and arid areas of Australia and is able to cope well with saline environments.

Spinifex
Spinifex is a desert grass found in the sandy soil and rocky areas of Central Australia. Spinifex grows in a ball shape, with its sharp and thin leaves sprouting outwards.

Sturt’s Desert Pea (Clianthus formosus)
Sturt’s Desert Pea has bright red petals, which stem from a small pea shaped black ball at the bottom of the petal. It can be found in the dry inland areas of Australia and is South Australia’s floral emblem. Sturt’s Desert Pea is an annual flower, which blooms after heavy rain.

Tree Ferns
There are two types of Tree Fern, including the Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea spp) and the Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica). Tree Ferns can be found in the rainforests of eastern Australia and can grow to heights of about 20 metres. The thick trunks are topped with long green ferns, which spread over the top of the tree like an umbrella.

Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)
The Waratah is found in New South Wales and Victoria, and is actually the floral emblem of New South Wales. The Waratah has a distinctive red flower, which can be ‘sen from afar’ (as the name Telopea suggests).

Australian Animals

Bandicoot
There are several species of Bandicoot around Australia, and although they can be seen during the day are generally nocturnal. Bandicoots are small creatures only about the size of a rat and eat small insects and plants. Several of the Bandicoots around Australia include the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, which is now rare around Australia and the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) found in eastern and western parts of Australia.

Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)
The Bilby is a small nocturnal creature found mainly in Northern Territory. They have large ears like rabbits and eat small insects and various plants.

Dingo (Canis familiaris dingo)
Dingos are found in various areas across Australia, and unlike domestic dogs doesn’t bark. Instead it makes a howling sound that is very distinctive. Dingoes generally eat mice, rabbits and rats, although can also attack livestock when hungry.

Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
The Echidna is a small creature, which belongs to the Monotreme family and has a furry underside with sharp spines on its back. Echidnas live in the dry and hot desertland of Australia, as well as within the cooler climate of the Australian Alps.

Echidnas have a long beak with a sticky tongue, which it uses to catch insects to eat. They grow to about 45cm and can weigh about 4.5kg. As a form of protection they quickly bury themselves in the ground, with only their spines sticking out of the ground.

Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
The Frilled Lizard is found in the eastern and northern parts of Australia, living within the bush. The Frilled Lizards frill normally hangs around its neck, and is made out of a flap of skin. When threatened the Frilled Lizard will raise its frill making it seen more dangerous.

Goanna
Goannas are a type of lizard found in various parts of Australia. They can grow to about 2 metres long, and can be aggressive, often making a loud hissing sound. The Perentie Goanna (Varanus giganteus) is the largest of the Goannas, and is found in Central Australia. This species eats meat, although Goannas also eat various plantlife.

Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
There are two species of Grey Kangaroo, the Western Grey Kangaroo and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is found along the east coast of Australia, while the Western Grey Kangaroo is found along the Southern section of Australia, from western Australia, right over to New South Wales. The Western Grey Kangaroo is darker than the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, and can grow to about 2 metres high, although are commonly about 1 metre.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Koalas are small bear like creatures who live along the east coast of Australia, with their habitat amongst the famous Eucalyptus trees. However, koalas only like to eat a small percentage of the Eucalyptus trees found around Australia.

Koalas have hard black noses, with sharp claws and a thick furry coat and can grow to a weight of about 10kg. Most of their time is spent asleep in the trees, which is the best place to see a koala.

Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
Numbats are small squirrel like creatures, which live in Wandoo Trees in South Western Australia. They have a distinctive red fur coat, with seven white stripes.

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
The Platypus has a duck bill, short legs with webbed feet, and a beaver like tail, and belongs to the Monotreme family. Males grow to an average of 50cm with about 1/5 of their length made up of tail. Platypus live amongst Australia’s eastern waterways, and spend most of their time in the water although make burrows along the riverbanks. They mainly eat small crustaceans, as well as tadpoles and worms.

Possum
Possums are found all around Australia, and live in the Australian bush as well as around the suburban areas of the cities. There are a wide variety of Possums including the Grey Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the Ringtail Possum, which are both common around Australia. Possums eat a range of plantlife, and find scraps of food to feed upon. The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) is another species able to fly from tree to tree due to a membrane connected to its front and back legs.

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
Quokkas are found in South Western Western Australia and is a small creature similar to a Possum. They generally stay in groups, and if used to people can be quite friendly, and always after food.

Quoll
Quoll are nocturnal creatures, which are Australia’s native cats. They grow to about the size of domestic cats, and spend most of their time in trees. Various species include the Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) which can be found in Tasmania, the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), the Spotted-Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and the Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii).

Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
Red Kangaroos are the largest type of kangaroo, and live in the dry outback regions of Australia. They can grow to about 2 metres high, and a length of about 2.4 metres. Although the males have the vivid red colour associated with the Red Kangaroo, the females have a lighter grey-red colouring.

Snakes
Around Australia are seven different families of snakes, with the most common being the Elapidae family. The most deadly snakes found in Australia include Brown Snakes, Copperheads, Death Adders, Red-Bellied Black Snakes, Taipan Snakes and Tiger Snakes.

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Tasmanian Devils live on their own, and come out at night to hunt for food. Tasmanian Devils eat a range of small birds and mammals, as well as insects. They have a black coat, with a small bear shaped head and can grow to about 60cm long.

Tree Kangaroo
There are two species of Tree Kangaroo in Australia, which as their name suggests live in trees. Both the Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) and the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) are found in the rainforests of Northern Queensland, and grow to about the size of a cat.

Wallaby
There are a number of species of wallaby found in various areas around Australia. Several include the Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis), Brush-TailedRock Wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), Red-Necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) and the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor).
Wombat

There is a total of three species of Wombat found around Australia, which live in the northern, eastern and southern areas. These include the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) and the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons).

Wombats are solid round creatures, which have short legs and small snouts. They use their front legs to dig and their back legs to push. Wombats generally eat various grasses and plantlife, and can grow to about 1 metre long weighing about 35kg.