Kangaroo Island isn't just about kangaroos!

Kangaroos can almost be said to be synonymous with Australia. The image of those bouncing, playful creatures is both amusing and endearing, making them one of the most anticipated sights for visitors to Australia. Australia, home to a myriad of wildlife, especially demonstrates this in the southern region, where "Kangaroo Island" is a popular tourist destination. Not only can you get up close to kangaroos here, but you can also see many other animals unique to Australia.

Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere, has seasons that are the opposite of those in Taiwan—summer is in December and winter is in June. Naturally, to escape the cold, flying to Australia to enjoy the warm sunshine is ideal. In addition to visiting urban areas, contemporary architecture, and coastal scenery, you shouldn’t miss the chance to interact with wildlife, and the best choice for that is Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third-largest island.

Australia is a haven for marsupials and the birthplace of kangaroos, with over 50 different species making the kangaroo a symbolic animal of the country. You can find kangaroos on the national emblem, currency, and even group logos. Kangaroo Island, which is about a 35-minute flight from Adelaide, is said to have been discovered in 1802 by a British captain who named the island after spotting numerous kangaroos there.

But Kangaroo Island isn’t just about kangaroos—it’s also home to always-sleepy, fluffy koalas, comically charming sea lions and fur seals, various lizards, and flocks of birds. Wildlife is visible everywhere you go, which is why it’s known as a paradise for wild animals.

About 48% of the island is covered in vegetation, with over 900 species of native and introduced animals, birds, and amphibians. The island also features grazing cattle and sheep, proudly strutting geese, and an astonishing population of koalas. With no natural predators and ample food, koalas live very comfortably, and their numbers have increased from just 5,000–6,000 a few years ago to over 30,000 today.