Best Roadside Wildlife Encounters Around Tasmania (and What to Do)
Best Roadside Wildlife Encounters Around Tasmania (and What to Do)
Tasmania’s wild heart isn’t just in its national parks—it’s often right beside the road. With wide open highways, rolling forests, and quiet country lanes, Tassie offers some of the best chances in Australia to see native animals from your car. Here’s where to spot them, and how to stay safe and respectful while doing so.
Table of Contents
Where to Spot Wildlife From the Road
Eastern Drive (Tasman Highway)
Between Bicheno and St Helens, look for wombats, wallabies, and echidnas, especially near dusk. Some drivers even report spotting white wallabies!
Bruny Island
Famous for its birdlife, but keep an eye out for possums, quolls, and fairy penguins if you’re driving back after dark.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Region
The alpine roads near Cradle Mountain offer some of the best early morning sightings—look for devils and wombats in the wild.
Midlands Highway (Heritage Highway)
A surprisingly good spot for birds of prey and occasional wallabies. Stop at historic towns like Ross and Oatlands along the way.
Huon Valley
Drive slowly and you may spot platypuses in streams or echidnas ambling across the road. Apple orchards and forest stretches are rich in wildlife.
What to Do When You See Wildlife
Slow down, don’t swerve—braking gently is safest.
If it’s safe, pull over to watch from a distance.
Use hazard lights if you stop.
Never feed wild animals or try to touch them.
Take photos from the car if possible.
Safety Tips for Wildlife Encounters
Most active times: dawn, dusk, and after dark.
Drive slower through forested and rural areas.
Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic (but dip them for wildlife).
Keep your eyes moving—some animals freeze in headlights.
Respecting Wildlife on the Road
Tasmania’s wildlife is part of what makes road trips here special. Responsible driving helps protect it:
Stick to speed limits
Avoid littering (especially food)
Don’t chase or follow animals on foot
Report injured wildlife to local rangers or WIRES
Explore Tasmania’s Wild Side with YesDrive
Want to see Tasmania’s unique animals up close—but safely and respectfully? A YesDrive rental car lets you get off the beaten path without rushing the journey.
Book with YesDrive and experience the beauty of Tasmania’s wildlife—right from the road.
