Experiences

Kangaroos

Where can you see Kangaroos in Queensland?

Apart from the numerous spots in the wild where you can see kangaroos (for example, Cape Hillsborough is famous for its Roo encounters), there are also a number of zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland who play home to several varieties of roos. Below is a list of tourist parks where you will be sure to have a close encounters with a kangaroo, and often even have the opportunity to hand feed them!

• Alma Park Zoo
• Australia Zoo
• Cairns Tropical Zoo
• Darling Downs Zoo
• Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

What types of Kangaroos can you see in Queensland?

Kangaroos are one of Australia’s most famous assets, and Queensland has more than its fair share of these wonderful creatures. In fact, the variety of Queensland kangaroos is simply astounding. Take a look at the list of Kangaroos, Wallabies and other “Macropodidae” (the fancy scientific name for the Kangaroo family) you can see in Queensland…

Red Kangaroo	Eastern Grey Kangaroo	Western Grey Kangaroo
Common Wallaroo	Antilopine Wallaroo	Bennett's Tree-kangaroo
Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo	Agile Wallaby	Black-striped Wallaby
Whiptail Wallaby	Red-necked Wallaby	Swamp Wallaby
Allied Rock-wallaby	Cape York Rock-wallaby	Godman's Rock-wallaby
Herbert's Rock-wallaby	Unadorned Rock-Wallaby	Mareeba Rock-wallaby
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby	Proserpine Rock-wallaby	Purple-necked Rock-wallaby
Sharman's Rock-wallaby	Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby	Bridled Nailtail Wallaby
Northern Nailtail Wallaby	Red-legged Pademelon	Red-necked Pademelon

... phew, that's a lot of roos!

Random Kangaroo Facts

• There are over 60 different species of kangaroo and their close relatives, with all kangaroos belonging to the super family Macropodoidea (or macropods, meaning ‘great-footed’).
• The word kangaroo derives from the Guugu Yimithirr word gangurru, referring to grey kangaroos.
• The adult male Kangaroo is called buck, boomer or jack.
• Adult females are called doe, flyer or jill.
• The largest Kangaroo is the Red Kangaroo, which can reach 2m in height, and can weigh up to 90kg!
• Eastern Greys are slightly smaller, reaching up to 1.5m in height and up to 60kg. Although smaller than big Reds, they can however keep up with the big guys, jumping just as far (up to 9m in a single bound!)
• All kangaroos are herbivores.
• On land kangaroos can't move their hind legs independently, only together. But when they are swimming they kick each leg independently. Weird!

Kangaroos delivering mail?

There's a tall tale in Queensland that the people of Cow Bay have a... unique postal service. In fact, Roo Mail is the talk of the town. Tell you what... why don't we let Mick and Mandy explain it to you below?