The 5 Coolest Animals in Australia's Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains, located in New South Wales, Australia, is home to some of the most beautiful animals around.  It's a place where birds, snakes, lizards and fury creatures live in harmony and offer endless entertainment to tourist upon tourist.  Today, we're going to take a look at some of the coolest animals you can find while exploring the Blue Mountains.

Spotted Tail Quoll

Although it may look like Australia's version of the North American prairie dog, it's completely different in character.  At first glance, the spotted tail quoll, also known as the tiger quoll, seems cute.  You look at it with a smile, soaking in the adorability of its white spots, pointy face and long tail. 

Until you see it snatch a bird from the sky! 

That's right, unlike the prairie dog, the quoll is carniverous.  As the largest carniverous marsupial in Australia, it feeds on birds, lizards, insects and more.  Basically anything with a pulse that's smaller than a kookaburra.

Laughing Kookaburra

There are two species of kookaburra – the blue-winged kookaburra and the laughing kookaburra.  Both of these are located within the kingfisher family of birds; however, only one of them is located in the Blue Mountains.  Ironically, it's not the blue-winged kookaburra.

The laughing kookaburra is one of the most popular birds in the Blue Mountains and is named appropriately after its unique call.  Instead of tweeting and chirping like other small birds, it creates a high-pitched laughing sound.  Also unlike birds of its size, it's known for hunting down snakes.  As an animal with a structured social system, these birds definitely have something to feel good and laugh about.  You'll find them laughing loudest after they make a red-bellied black snake kill.

Red-Bellied Black Snake

There are about 100 species of snakes in Australia and 19 of those species are located in the Blue Mountains.  The red-bellied black snake is among the most popular and, although inefficient at injecting venom, is a snake people are urged to keep their distance from while exploring the majesty of the Blue Mountains.  Holding true to its name, this snake does indeed have a red belly that can be seen from all sides. 

Aside from the red-bellied black snake and other venomous species, the Blue Mountains are home to non-venomous snakes.  Out of the 100 species in Australia, only about 18 are venomous and not all of them are located in the Blue Mountains.

Wombat

If you thought the North American groundhog was big, think again.  The wombat is the largest burrowing animal in the world.  Weighing in at 40 kilograms when fully grown, the wombat has a cute, cuddly appearance and is perhaps the friendliest looking burrower ever.  Its grayish blackish hair is smooth and its face is round and inviting.

In New South Wales, there are three types of wombats.  The wombat located in the Blue Mountains is simply known as the common wombat.  When people take tours to the Blue Mountains, the wombat remains elusive and is never seen.

Lace Monitor

This is one of the 37 species of lizards located in the Blue Mountains.  Although incredibly big – 4- to 7-feet long! –this lizard can be hard to spot.  Its blackish tan skin makes it hard to see in the light of day when surrounded by brown grass, twigs and fallen branches.

Also known as the common goanna, this lizard is prevalent in the lower Blue Mountains. Female lace monitors lay up to 12 eggs at a time and quickly bury them to evade detection.

Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin, has definitely grown up since the last time the public may remember her, as the darling 8-year-old who gave a heartwarming eulogy at her father's memorial.

Today, Bindi is now 14 years old and although she may not look the same as she did 7 years ago, her passion for teaching others about how to protect the world's wildlife is as strong as ever.

Currently, Bindi is co-starring with Matthew Lillard in a new kid's feature film entitled, Return to Nim's Island. In the film, the character Nim (Bindi) and her father (Matthew Lillard) work together to protect the endangered wildlife on their beloved island from threatening resort developers and animal poachers. The film's message of protecting the world's animals and their natural habitats is much like the one that Bindi and her family have been working to convey to people.

According to an interview with the Australian Associated Press (AAP) Bindi explained, "I’d like to continue to spread my message on conservation and make sure my dad’s message—his legacy—lives on.”

Australia is home to exquisite wildlife and breathtakingly beautiful scenery that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. From the country's beloved kangaroo, koala and dingo populations, to its world-famous Outback and Blue Mountains, Australia is truly a place filled with natural beauty. And now, it's more important than ever for people to get involved and help protect these natural wonders. From taking Blue Mountain day tours to learn about and experience Australia's one-of-a-kind environment and wildlife first hand, to donating time or money to various conservation charities, it is important for people to come together and protect Australia's wildlife.

Mythical Australian Roller Coaster Still Draws Visitors

In 2012, an infamous Australian landmark will turn 28. The Orphan Rocker was the only roller coaster ever designed and built entirely in Australia but has never opened to the public. And like every late-twenties birthday, this one brings up a lot of questions. The most important question may be why roller coaster enthusiasts and travel junkies still make the trip to Blue Mountains outside Sydney to see this little engine that couldn't.

Begun in 1984 as a monorail for tourists to the region, the Orphan Rocker was named for Orphan Rock, a nearby rock formation that many trips to the Blue Mountains include on their journey. The monorail soon became a roller coaster, with minecar-like seats that would rock when the cars came around turns. But the company producing the ride had trouble getting it insured and was therefore not able to open. To this day, the tracks have been repainted and covered over with brush but never removed, giving hope to many that it may someday rumble and rock once again.

The simple answer to this question is that there is more to see at the Blue Mountains than an unfinished roller coaster. As a World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains have been sited as a location of unique cultural and biological importance in the world. With thousands of endangered species, rare plant life and ancient rock formations know as "orphans" dotting the horizon, Blue Mountain tours have become a unique part of the Sydney vacationer's itinerary.

Not only is there more to do than check out the Orphan Rocker, there are more thrilling attractions. Scenic World—the Blue Mountains tourist center—offers the Scenic Skyway, a cable car that drops visitors down over the steep cliffs of the Blue Mountains for a view unlike any in the world. And the Scenic Railway is the world's steepest scenic railway incline, allowing passengers to travel four meters per second down the side of the Blue Mountains. And while thrill ride veterans visit the Orphan Rocker for the story it has to tell, their true joy comes from riding the historic Scenic Railway.

But the main reason people come to see the Orphan Rocker is the legend it holds. Some say test runs declared the ride too dangerous. Others say it was too scary for the average rider, banking turns over a massive cliff side. And while the tracks and infrastructure remain in tact, the ride has never made a single run that was open to the public.

For some, the mystery is more thrilling than any ride.