The 12 best safaris in Australia

Where: Monarto, SA

Want to see elephants roaming in the wild but can’t quite make it to Africa? Your dreams are closer than you think. Australia is in fact home to the world’s largest open-range safari park, where a mighty herd of elephants and plenty of endangered species roam free. Monarto Safari Park houses more than 500 exotic and native animals, with heaps of epic experiences that’ll make you feel like you’re on your very own African safari. You can feed giraffes by hand, mingle with meerkats, meet the rhinos or spend the day as a zoo keeper. For something extra special, you can stay at the park’s brand-new luxury safari resort.

Where: Ningaloo Reef, WA

Think of the Ningaloo Reef as the Great Barrier Reef’s lesser-known, but equally enthralling cousin. This World Heritage-listed reef is one of the most likely places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks. Ningaloo Discovery is one of only 11 operators granted licenses to run tours in the region for a maximum of ten swimmers at a time, running annually between March and August. A record-breaking 41,000 people ticked off this bucket-list adventure in 2025, so you'll want to book in for next season ASAP! You can explore all Ningaloo Discovery's tours here.

Where: Canberra, ACT

When you can’t travel to Africa to spot cheetahs and giraffes, you spend the night with them at the National Zoo instead. At Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra, you get as close to the animals as safely possible. The balconies of the treehouse lodges give direct access to the giraffes so you can feed them, and the jungle bungalows separate your bed for the night from lions, tigers and bears (oh my!) by just a pane of glass. The experience stays very on-brand with a gourmet African-themed dinner party.

Where: Broome, WA

Where: Kangaroo Island, SA

Okay, the name certainly does give away some of what you’ll encounter on this South Australian Island, but alongside furry marsupials, like kangaroos, wallabies and koalas, there's a lot to encounter in the waters surrounding this South Australian island. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and seals on the 75-minute coastal journey with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. If seeing them from dry land (well, dry boat) isn’t enough, check out the snorkelling safari where you can swim with the cheeky animals. 

Where: Port Stephens, NSW

As it turns out, the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere happen to lie on the coast of NSW. That means some pretty incredible sights to marvel at on a casual beachside stroll, but also a whole lot of fun to be had if you’re game. Just 2.5 hours up from Sydney, Sand Dune Safaris runs a range of tours, from sandboarding and sand surfing to four-wheel driving. One of the safaris even brings you to the ‘Tin City’. Is it a little village of shacks for shipwreck survivors or is it all a mirage?

Where: Melbourne, VIC

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a portal to the African savannah when visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. In summer, embark on an immersive sunset safari adventure when the animals tend to be at their most active. You'll get to witness majestic animals (like zebras, ostriches, giraffes, rhinos and lions) as they roam the savannah, explore the walking trails (among meerkats, monkeys and wild dogs) at dusk, and catch live performances of drums, song and dance. 

Where: Moreton Island, QLD

Tropical Moreton Island’s coastline is easily distinguished by a cluster of 15 shipwrecks sunk by the Queensland Government decades ago. Now, the site's a playground for a ridiculous amount of marine wildlife and it’s only a 75-minute ferry away from Brisbane. At Tangalooma Island Resort, you can do snorkel tours and glass-bottom kayak rides, but one of the coolest experiences is the Underwater Sea Scooter Safari. With so many boats and new coral growths to explore, you can cover more ground with the handheld devices that propel you through the water.

Where: Darwin, NT

If you like pressing one ‘book now’ button for your holiday without having to worry about anything else, you’re in safe hands at the Top End Safari Camp. You can book a one-day-only tour that includes helicopter and airboat rides, a billabong cruise, barbecue brunch and crocodile feeding. If the thought of that excites you, why not even opt for an overnight stay at the private base off the Finnis River? As well as all the adrenaline-seeking activities during the day, you’ll spend the night in a glamping tent with dinner under the stars. 

Where: Jervis Bay, NSW

Swimming with whales... If you nerd out on biodiversity and conservation laws, you’ll be wondering how such an adventure came about when it’s illegal to swim with whales in Australian waters. The answer to that is Woebegone Freedive – a family-owned business that has the whole ethical, eco-friendly, whale-friendly tourism experience down pat. Depending on the time of year, you can swim with seals, dolphins and sharks, but our pick of the lot is their humpback whale adventures. Part of the reason Woebegone has a permit for whale swim tours is that their boat never goes up to them. Instead, they look at the direction they’re swimming in and park the boat – motors off – to see if the whales come close. It's well worth trying your luck. 

Where: Daintree Rainforest, QLD

How many places in the world can you say you’re standing on the borderline of two World Heritage-listed sites? The spot where the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree, meets the Great Barrier Reef is just one of the highlights of the luxury Daintree Safari four-wheel drive experience in Far North Queensland. The itinerary is jam-packed, but rest assured, you’ll be exploring the humidity in a Land Cruiser with individual air conditioning for each passenger. Cross the Daintree River, sample goods from the Daintree Ice Cream Company, spot crocs on a guided river cruise and swim at a secret waterhole. 

Where: Swan Valley, WA

Perth’s Swan Valley is home to some lush rolling green hills and plenty of vineyards. Once you’ve hit up enough vino pit stops, shake things up with a Kangaroo Safari. Not only can you hop on a golf buggy and get up close and personal with the furry friends that frequent The Vines Resort, but you’ll also get to play 18 holes of mini golf on the course. To top it all off, you get a sunset beveragino as well. If you really enjoy the safari, you can book in the next day to play a few holes of the real deal at the resort’s world-class golf courses.