During a road trip along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, we spotted so many cute Australian animals on road signs, it became a game to photograph them all. Australia truly is blessed with wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. In this post, I’m highlighting 9 of the cutest Australian animals and exploring the cheeky question: can you eat them?
My home country, Australia, is blessed with an abundant array of animals unique to the Land Down Under, but in this post, I’m going to focus on 9 of our cutest Australian animals.
Cute Australian animals that most of you will recognize.
Cute Australian animals that most of you are dying to cuddle.
Cute Australian animals that most people would not even consider eating.
I’ve heard Australia is one of the only countries in the world that eats its national symbols.
Some cute Australian animals are perfect for cuddles. Others… not so much. But can you eat Australia’s iconic animals? Let’s find out.
Kangaroo
No list of Australian cute animals is complete without the kangaroo.
Kangaroos are macropods, meaning ‘big foot’. There are many species of kangaroo, but the most famous is the huge Red kangaroo. All kangaroos are herbivores and their biggest predator is humans. Kangaroos can be seemingly warm and friendly to cuddle, but those tails are strong enough to hold their weight, kick up those giant hind legs and do more damage than you think.
Where can you find kangaroos?
While we don’t ride kangaroos to school contrary to many foreigners’ beliefs, nor are they only visible on in . You can find kangaroos regularly hopping around large parks or outer suburban bushland across all Australian cities. This one was at Taronga Zoo.
Buy a cute keepsake kangaroo here.
Can you eat kangaroo?
YES!
Interestingly, Australia exported kangaroo meat as early as 1959, but it was not legalized for human consumption in most Australian states until 1993. Exported to over 55 countries worldwide, kangaroo meat is high in protein and low in fat. Because of its low-fat content, it’s unforgiving meat, and can quickly be overcooked making it tough and chewy. Best cooked medium-rare.
Most Australian supermarkets carry various cuts of kangaroo – fillets, steaks, minced meat, and ‘Kanga Bangas’ (kangaroo sausages).
Koala
The cuddly-looking koala is one of the most iconic Australian cute animals, but appearances can be deceiving. Cuddly, adorable koala bears… that aren’t bears or cuddly. The koalas might look soft and huggable, but they have razor-sharp claws and are highly unsociable animals. These placid creatures generally only eat eucalyptus leaves, which means energy levels are flaccid around the clock. They spend roughly 20 hours per day sleeping.
Where can you find koalas?
I love seeing koalas and baby koalas along the Great Ocean Road or in any wildlife park.
Can you eat koalas?
NO!
Is it legal to eat koala? Absolutely not. Koalas are listed as vulnerable on the Australian Endangered Species list, with only about 100,000 left in the wild. Keeping or eating koalas is illegal anywhere in the world.
Quokka
Often called the world’s happiest animal, quokkas are tiny, smiling marsupials and undeniably cute Australian animals. These adorable macropods are much like a small kangaroo meets giant smiling rat.
Where can you find quokkas?
You can spot these guys in Perth zoo or take a trip to Rottnest Island, which is off the coast of Western Australia.
Get your smiling quokka throw pillow here.
Can you eat quokka?
NO!
It would be an expensive meal; it is illegal to touch a quokka so you could be facing an AUD$2000 fine. Plus it smiles at you, how could you?
Emu
The emu, Australia’s largest bird, can sprint up to 50 km/h. These nomadic birds eat plants and insects and are a true symbol of the Australian outback wildlife.
Where can you find emus?
We have our favorite emu at Simmos Down South in Western Australia or you’ll capture this Australian wildlife wandering around the outback.
Get your National Geographic emu here.
Can you eat emu?
YES!
Emus are farmed for their meat, oil, and leather. Like kangaroos, they are low in fat and high in protein. The American Heart Association recognizes emu meat as a healthy alternative to beef. Emu is described as being similar to beef, but gamier.
Platypus
The strange and unique platypus is one of only two egg-laying mammals. Covered in waterproof fur and entirely carnivorous, it’s a true Australian cute animal that’s deceptively dangerous.
Where can you find a platypus?
Oh geez, now you are asking the tough questions. If you’re running low on time try the Australia zoo. But I have seen them in the creeks of Tasmania.
Get your kids a squishable platypus here.
Can you eat platypus?
NO!
The platypus is poisonous so don’t even try. Up until the 20th century it was hunted for its fur, but it is now a protected species. And the eggs? Well at a minuscule 11mm in diameter you are going to need a lot of eggs to make a decent-sized scramble.
Echidna
Echidnas are spiny, egg-laying mammals that feed on ants and termites. These quirky creatures are another example of unique Australian wildlife.
Where can you find echidnas?
I often see echidnas attempting to cross the Great Ocean Road or spot them in most wildlife parks.
Know someone who loves cute Australian echidnas? Get them this echidna shirt.
Can you eat echidna?
NO!
He’s so spikey, ouch. Why even try?
Kookaburra
These beautiful carnivorous birds are known for eating their young as well as stealing anything off your fork at the local park barbie (barbecue). Their saving grace is you will always laugh around a kookaburra because the sound they make is constant laughter.
Where can you find kookaburra?
Again these loveable birds can be found in nearly every part of Australia. Just head to a campsite, we saw plenty from our cabin at Lakes Entrance, Victoria.
Uggs are the best Australian shoe and I love the koala.
Can you eat kookaburra?
NO!
Good luck catching these crafty birds. They will probably be laughing as they fly away.
Dingo
A dingo is a free-ranging wild dog found mainly in Australia. It is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia and is classified as a subspecies of the grey wolf. Even though these dogs are efficient hunters they are listed as vulnerable to extinction due to interbreeding with domestic dogs.
Where can you find dingos?
Thankfully these tend to stay in the outback, usually far from civilization. If you want to see one I’d do it safely at Perth zoo.
You can’t eat dingos, but your dog will love these treats.
Can you eat dingo?
NO!
Would you eat a dog? are a no on the list.
Wombat
This is a short-legged, muscular native to Australia. They can grow to 1 meter in length and are considered to be a cross between a rat and a bear. This cuddly creature can be dangerous, because of its blade-like claws and treacherous teeth.
Where can you find wombats?
Unfortunately, the only time I’ve seen a wombat in the wild is dead on the side of the road. But you can find plenty at wildlife parks, live Caversham Wildlife Park.
Can you eat a wombat?
NO!
There you have it.
Australia offers an incredible range of cute and unique animals, but most are off-limits for dinner. If you’re curious about can you eat koala, kangaroo, or other Australian animals, kangaroo and emu are your safe options. The rest are strictly wildlife to admire and cuddle – responsibly!
So what’s for dinner at your house tonight? A tasty kangaroo steak or a spicy Tasmanian Devil, or perhaps a saltwater crocodile, is more your style. Crocodile? For sure! Come read my second post about all the spiders, snakes, sharks, and more: Can You Eat These 5 Deadly Australian Animals?
Want to see in the ocean? Take a trip to the It’s a dream.
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