Australian Outback And Eucalypt Woodlands

Red earth, gum trees and wildlife that waits for rain.

Much of Australia is dry, and its wildlife is shaped by drought, fire and sudden rain. Eucalypt woodland covers wetter areas, while the outback's red deserts and shrublands cover most of the interior.

Many animals are found nowhere else, including its marsupials.

The Landscape

Gum trees dominate woodland and forest, while the interior is spinifex grass, mulga scrub and stony desert. Rain can arrive in rare, huge bursts that transform the desert for a season.

Who Lives Here

Red Kangaroos and Emus roam the plains, Wedge-tailed Eagles soar overhead, and Thorny Devils feed on ants in the sand. In eucalypt forests, Koalas, echidnas and parrots such as the Galah are common.

Through The Year

Seasons are less clear-cut than in Europe, and rain, not temperature, triggers breeding and blooming. Winter is the most comfortable time to visit the outback, and summers can be extremely hot.

Pressures And Care

Introduced foxes, cats, rabbits and camels, changed fire patterns, grazing and climate change have driven many small mammals to extinction or decline. Feral predator control and fire management help.

Visiting Well

Carry plenty of water and fuel, tell someone your plans, avoid driving at dusk when animals are active, and respect Indigenous lands and permits.

Look for

Red Kangaroo
Emu
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Thorny Devil
Koala

Often a good time to visit: May, June, July, August, September. Conditions vary from year to year and place to place.

Related habitats

Grassland · Woodland