Hey everyone! As international citizens, do you ever assume that Aussie animals aren’t found in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane? I recently got a letter from my Canadian pen pal who asked if I had ever seen kookaburras, wombats, kangaroos, and other Aussie wildlife. It got me thinking—do people outside Australia believe that these animals only live in the wild and not in suburban areas?

It’s a really interesting question! Many people outside of Australia often picture its unique wildlife like kangaroos and kookaburras in the wild, far away from cities. However, it’s surprising how close some of these animals can be to urban areas. For example, kookaburras are quite common in suburban gardens, and kangaroos can sometimes be seen grazing in the outskirts of cities like Melbourne and Brisbane.
Wombats are less common in densely populated areas, but they are spotted in various parts of Australia, including more rural settings and even some outer suburbs. It’s a bit of a mix! So, while international citizens might think of Australian animals as being solely in the bush, there are definitely opportunities to see them even in the suburbs. Sharing these experiences with your penpal would be a great way to help bridge that perception!