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Your Southern Australia Interactive Calendar
January 2026 - Koala
One of the most unique marsupial mammals in the world, the Koala is a symbolic Australian animal that captures the imagination and intrigue of people from around the world.
The Koala is only one species but three sub-species found only throughout Australia. Previously, the Koala was hunted for its fur in mass numbers, causing population concern around the continent.
This image was captured on Kangaroo Island, a population that was introduced to the island in the early 1920's as an insurance population, the population on the island has since exploded.
When photographing Koalas, try to use a telephoto lens and shoot at an angle that makes it appear the subject is at eye level.
Always concentrate on the highlights and if possible, position yourself with the sun at your back to avoid "blowing out" the subject lighting.
February 2026 - Bare-nosed Wombat
Wandering through the grassy meadows of Cradle Mountain National Park, this Bare-nosed Wombat is one of the more unique creatures that call Australia home. The Bare-nosed Wombat is one of three Wombat species in Australia, the other two being the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat and the Critically endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
Unfortunately Wombats are struggling in the wild of Australia, road trauma, culling by the farming community and the introduction of mange are the biggest issues facing their wild populations.
This is an image I have wanted to capture for a long time, I have observed this species in this exact location of Tasmania for years, wanting to find the best way to capture them without the excessive details of the vegetation detracting from the actual image subject.
For the end result, I positioned myself on a boardwalk, leaned over and put my camera near the ground, I used placed the focal point of the frame on the wombats head and manoeuvred myself in a position where his face wasn't obstructed by grass. The key to this image was waiting until a time where the direct sunlight was covered by clouds, an overcast day creates nice even light and removes a lot of the heavy contrast from the image.
March 2026 - Pacific Gull
Precariously nesting on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Southern Ocean doesn't sound idea for many animals except for the Pacific Gull.
Easily identified with its bi-coloured bill, the Pacific Gull is a common sight when exploring the Southern states of Australia.
I managed to capture this shot while walking along a coast boardwalk in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island.
Armed with my R3 and a 100-500mm lens I positioned myself in a way that I could capture the side profile of the bird as it was calling out for a mate.
It can be very challenging to capture white birds in bright sunlight, if the weather co-operates I recommend waiting for some cloud cover to ensure the light is even and not too heavily contrasted.
April 2026 - Platypus
One of the most ancient and unique animals in the world, the Platypus. Not only are they incredibly bizarre they are also super hard to photograph. The platypus can regulate their heart rate to ensure they spend minimal time on the water's surface and maximum time under water feeding.
Capturing a platypus requires extreme patience, quick hands with the camera, a fast shutter speed and a good telephoto lens.
I captured this individual in Tasmania, one of the best places to see Platypus in the wild, not only are they easier to find, they are also the biggest individuals in Australia.
If you are rocking a modern high tech camera, make sure animal eye tracking is activated, it makes the job a lot easier when capturing these elusive monotremes.
May 2026 - Swamp Wallaby
Travelling around the Victorian countryside post bush fire was a truly emotional time, devastation and annihilation are the two words that immediately come to mind. However when I stumbled across this individual Swamp Wallaby I quickly realised resilience was another word that summed up the area. Among the mass death was several living animals who were forced out of their habitat just in time.
This Swamp Wallaby had minor visible burns on its legs, not enough to hinder its ability to move freely. I slowly positioned myself on the ground about 50m away and captured this photograph. I really like the way the dark fur stands out against the yellow/white grass. If I was to turn myself around 180 degrees I would capture black tree trunks and the ground covered in ash.
This was a moment and image I won't forget any time soon. Nature sure is brutally impressive.
June 2026 - Australian Sea Lions
Basking in the warm summer sun on the beaches of Kangaroo Island is one of the most incredible and accessible populations of Australia Sea Lions in the world.
On the Southern Australia Natural Habitat Adventures trip we visit Seal Bay Conservation Park, a place where we can stand and be part of this impressive community.
The Sea Lions communicate with vocalisation as well as body language and sometimes the body language can be ferocious.
It is critical to set your shutter speed to over 2000 in order to capture the still motion of any Sea Lion altercation.
Overcast days are best to reduce heavy contrast, if the light is low, jump up your ISO to help achieve a fast shutter.
July 2026 - Short-beaked Echidna
Australia is well known to be a place of weird and different, the animals anyway...
One of the more unique creatures found in Australia is one of our local monotremes, the Short-beaked Echidna.
This species is the most wide spread mammal in Australia, found in almost every single location and habitat among our incredibly diverse landscapes.
This image was one I won't forget any time soon...
Driving through the bushland of Kangaroo Island we saw this Echidna feeding on a fallen tree, searching for ants. We slowly approached, sat and waited, it was worth it.
This echidna slowly strutted straight past our cameras providing this intimate and unique capture.
August 2026 - Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Australia is loaded with endemic wildlife however nothing is more iconic than the mighty Kangaroo.
Despite numerous species of Kangaroo living throughout this glorious country, the Eastern Grey is one of the more well known.
I captured this image in a rural landscape in Victoria, slowly driving throughout the forest tracks I saw this young male roo feasting on some lush green grass.
Kanagroos are similar to dear in the way they can easily be spooked and have incredible hearing. One foot step out of the vehicle and this male looked up for a further inspection. That is the moment to capture this image, seconds later he was gone in a flash.
September 2026 - Bare-nosed Wombat
Taking the position as the cover for this year's calendar this Bare-nosed Wombat is melting hearts and winning over any traveller that is fortunate enough to meet him.
I captured this image on Maria island, just off the coast of eastern Tasmania. The Island serves as a conservation park where endangered and threatened wildlife was introduced many decades ago, wombats being one of them. These days, Maria Island is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see Wombats in the wild, the wombats are also fairly accustomed to people.
The key to a quality wildlife portrait, get down low and create eye contact. Incorporate some of the habitat to really bring the image together.