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.

The Three Sisters

When traveling to Australia's Blue Mountains, there are so many things to do that seeing an ancient rock formation may be the last thing on your to-do list. But there is a reason the Three Sisters is featured on every

Blue Mountains tour in Australia. This particular rock formation holds a special place in the history of Australia and is part of a breathtaking view that you will have to see to believe. Here are just a few reasons to make the Three Sisters a priority on your Blue Mountains vacation.

History: The Aboriginal culture of early Australia was formed by "dreamtime legends," passed down through the generations. There are many legends surrounding the Three Sisters. One legend was that there were three sisters that three men wanted to marry but were not allowed by tribal law. Not wanting to accept this law, they kidnapped the three sisters and started a tribal war. One of their tribesmen turned the Sisters to stone but was later killed in battle. With no one able to reverse the spell, the sisters remained encased in rock for eternity. The alternative legend is that their father, to protect them from the Bunyip monster, turned the three sisters to stone. He was unable to reverse the spell. These legends helped shape the history of this region and connected the native people to the land they called home.

Geology: The Three Sisters were carved into the cliffs at Echo Point over thousands of years. The wind, rain and rivers running through the Jamison Valley are composed of soft sandstone that has been slowly eroded over time. These three towering cliffs of the Blue Mountains are the product of natural erosion but have come to connect the cliffs and breathtaking views to the people.

Natural Beauty: Thought to be one of the most beautiful views in all of Australia, the Three Sisters overlooks the Jamison Valley, one of the most scenic natural river valleys on the continent. From nearby Echo Point, a bushwalking trail leads to the Three Sisters and down to the valley floor via more than 800 well-maintained steel and stone steps called "The Giant Stairway". Then a 1.5-hour walk on The Federal Pass trail leads to the base of Katoomba Falls, a gorgeous, palatial waterfall surrounded by the forests in the valley. This nature walk is not to be missed on any Blue Mountains trip.

Featherdale Wildlife Park Introduces Children To New Species

One of the biggest draws to Australia is the wildlife. The land down under is an animal lover's paradise, offering endangered species and iconic animals you can't see anywhere else. Of course there is the Koala and the Kangaroo but the Australian outback—especially the Blue Mountains region—offers a glimpse at some rare wildlife even your local zoo can't bring you.


Wombats: Wombats are small, rodent-like creatures native to the mountainous regions of Australia like the Blue Mountains. They are known for their ability to burrow long, underground tunnel systems with their front teeth and powerful claws. Like kangaroos, these marsupials have pouches but theirs are backwards facing so that their young are not covered in dirt as they dig.


Dingos: Famous for more than just eating Lindy Chamberlain's baby, dingos are one of the older species in Australia, thought to have arrived with people from Southeast Asia. Dingos have lived largely away from people as wild dogs, more akin to wolves in their pack mentality. As the continent's largest terrestrial predator, they play an important role in Australia's ecosystem, keeping Blue Mountain small animal populations in check. If you come across one on your Blue Mountains tour, you needn't fear as these creatures steer clear of humans as much as possible.


Tasmanian Devils: Known most for their cartoon depiction in cartoons as wild, snarling tornados of laughter, Tasmanian Devils are not without their quirks. About the size of a small dog and known to frequent mountainous areas you are likely to see along your Blue Mountains trip, these large marsupials are known for their stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odor, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. Come to think of it, that cartoon may not be far off.

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.