Blue Mountains National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🦫 Watch for Platypus in Mountain Creeks
🌍 #157 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Oceania #16 in Temperate Forest
Australia, Australia 714 spp. recorded

Blue Mountains National Park is a protected temperate forest situated inland from Sydney in New South Wales. Deep sandstone canyons, eucalyptus valleys, and towering cliffs define this rugged Australian reserve, separating it from coastal and tropical parks through its cool mountain climate and vast forest canopy.

-33.837° S   150.493° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo ★
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

70–80% · Very likely
Eastern Grey Kangaroo ★
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

30–40% · Possible
Common Wombat ★
LC Endemic

Common Wombat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vombatus ursinus

20–30% · Possible
Duck-billed Platypus ★
NT Endemic

Duck-billed Platypus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ornithorhynchus anatinus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Crimson Rosella
LC Endemic

Crimson Rosella

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platycercus elegans

60–70% · Likely
Eastern Spinebill
LC Endemic

Eastern Spinebill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

60–70% · Likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

60–70% · Likely
Red Wattlebird
LC Endemic

Red Wattlebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthochaera carunculata

50–60% · Likely
Pied Currawong
LC Endemic

Pied Currawong

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Strepera graculina

50–60% · Likely
Brown Thornbill
LC Endemic

Brown Thornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Acanthiza pusilla

50–60% · Likely
Grey Fantail
LC

Grey Fantail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura albiscapa

50–60% · Likely
Laughing Kookaburra
LC Endemic

Laughing Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo novaeguineae

40–50% · Likely
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
LC Endemic

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Caligavis chrysops

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Dragon
LC Endemic

Mountain Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Rankinia diemensis

40–50% · Likely
Coconut Lorikeet
LC

Coconut Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus haematodus

40–50% · Likely
Satin Bowerbird
LC Endemic

Satin Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Eastern Grey Kangaroo ★
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

30–40% · Possible
Common Wombat ★
LC Endemic

Common Wombat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vombatus ursinus

20–30% · Possible
Duck-billed Platypus ★
NT Endemic

Duck-billed Platypus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ornithorhynchus anatinus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Short-beaked Echidna
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

20–30% · Possible
Swamp Wallaby
LC Endemic

Swamp Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Wallabia bicolor

20–30% · Possible
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

20–30% · Possible
Common Ringtail Possum
LC Endemic

Common Ringtail Possum

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pseudocheirus peregrinus

20–30% · Possible
Red-necked Wallaby
LC Endemic

Red-necked Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Notamacropus rufogriseus

20–30% · Possible
Wallaroo

Wallaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus robustus

10–20% · With luck
Greater Glider
EN Endemic

Greater Glider

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Petauroides volans

10–20% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
Brown Antechinus
LC Endemic

Brown Antechinus

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Antechinus stuartii

10–20% · With luck
Long-nosed Bandicoot
LC Endemic

Long-nosed Bandicoot

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Perameles nasuta

5–10% · With luck
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
VU Endemic

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Petrogale penicillata

5–10% · With luck
Koala
VU Endemic

Koala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phascolarctos cinereus

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo ★
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Crimson Rosella
LC Endemic

Crimson Rosella

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platycercus elegans

60–70% · Likely
Eastern Spinebill
LC Endemic

Eastern Spinebill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

60–70% · Likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

60–70% · Likely
Red Wattlebird
LC Endemic

Red Wattlebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthochaera carunculata

50–60% · Likely
Pied Currawong
LC Endemic

Pied Currawong

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Strepera graculina

50–60% · Likely
Brown Thornbill
LC Endemic

Brown Thornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Acanthiza pusilla

50–60% · Likely
Grey Fantail
LC

Grey Fantail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura albiscapa

50–60% · Likely
Laughing Kookaburra
LC Endemic

Laughing Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo novaeguineae

40–50% · Likely
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
LC Endemic

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Caligavis chrysops

40–50% · Likely
Coconut Lorikeet
LC

Coconut Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus haematodus

40–50% · Likely
Satin Bowerbird
LC Endemic

Satin Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

40–50% · Likely
Australian King-Parrot
LC Endemic

Australian King-Parrot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alisterus scapularis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mountain Dragon
LC Endemic

Mountain Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Rankinia diemensis

40–50% · Likely
Australian Water Dragon
LC Endemic

Australian Water Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Intellagama lesueurii

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Water Skink
LC Endemic

Eastern Water Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Eulamprus quoyii

30–40% · Possible
Southern Water Skink
LC Endemic

Southern Water Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Eulamprus heatwolei

30–40% · Possible
Jacky Lashtail
LC Endemic

Jacky Lashtail

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Amphibolurus muricatus

30–40% · Possible
Red-bellied Black Snake
LC Endemic

Red-bellied Black Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudechis porphyriacus

20–30% · Possible
Highlands Copperhead
LC Endemic

Highlands Copperhead

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Austrelaps ramsayi

20–30% · Possible
Blotched Bluetongue
LC Endemic

Blotched Bluetongue

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tiliqua nigrolutea

20–30% · Possible
Cunningham's Skink
LC Endemic

Cunningham's Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Egernia cunninghami

20–30% · Possible
Common Bluetongue
LC Endemic

Common Bluetongue

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tiliqua scincoides

20–30% · Possible
Lace Monitor
LC Endemic

Lace Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus varius

20–30% · Possible
Broad-tailed Gecko
LC Endemic

Broad-tailed Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Phyllurus platurus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Peron's Tree Frog
LC

Peron's Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria peronii

20–30% · Possible
Common Eastern Froglet
LC Endemic

Common Eastern Froglet

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Crinia signifera

20–30% · Possible
Striped Marsh Frog
LC Endemic

Striped Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes peronii

20–30% · Possible
Verreaux's Tree Frog
LC

Verreaux's Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria verreauxii

10–20% · With luck
Blue Mountains Tree Frog

Blue Mountains Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ranoidea citropa

10–20% · With luck
Pobblebonk
LC Endemic

Pobblebonk

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Limnodynastes dumerilii

10–20% · With luck
Leaf Green Treefrog

Leaf Green Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ranoidea phyllochroa

10–20% · With luck
Red-crowned Toadlet
NT Endemic

Red-crowned Toadlet

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pseudophryne australis

5–10% · With luck
Spotted Grass Frog
LC Endemic

Spotted Grass Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis

5–10% · With luck
Eastern Dwarf Treefrog
LC

Eastern Dwarf Treefrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Litoria fallax

5–10% · With luck
Broad-palmed Frog
LC Endemic

Broad-palmed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria latopalmata

<5% · Rare
Smooth Toadlet
LC Endemic

Smooth Toadlet

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Uperoleia laevigata

<5% · Rare

Animal Events

🦌

Platypus Watch

JunJulAug

Cool winter waters increase platypus activity, offering prime spotting opportunities along the creeks.

Duck-billed Platypus
NT Endemic

Duck-billed Platypus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ornithorhynchus anatinus

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Bird Spectacle

SepOctNov

Spring brings a burst of wildflowers and a chorus of birds, making the valleys vibrant with colour and song.

Superb Fairywren
LC Endemic

Superb Fairywren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Malurus cyaneus

40–50% · Likely
Grey Fantail
LC

Grey Fantail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura albiscapa

50–60% · Likely
🦎

Reptile Radiance

JanFebMar

Summer heat drives reptiles to bask openly, creating spectacular displays on rocks and trails.

Australian Water Dragon
LC Endemic

Australian Water Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Intellagama lesueurii

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Dragon
LC Endemic

Mountain Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Rankinia diemensis

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
Common Wombat
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
10–20
Duck-billed Platypus
10–20
10–20
5–10
5–10
5–10
10–20
10–20
10–20
5–10
10–20
5–10
10–20
Crimson Rosella
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Eastern Spinebill
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Australian Magpie
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Red Wattlebird
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Pied Currawong
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Brown Thornbill
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Grey Fantail
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Laughing Kookaburra
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
30–40
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Mountain Dragon
60–70
50–60
30–40
20–30
<5
<5
5–10
10–20
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Coconut Lorikeet
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
Satin Bowerbird
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Bird Spectacle
🦌 Platypus Watch
🦎 Reptile Radiance

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦫 Watch for Platypus in Mountain Creeks

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
442
🐒 Mammals
98
🦎 Reptiles
123
🐸 Amphibians
51
714 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
43 Threatened 365 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
57%
📊
Coverage (162 species at ≥5% of 714 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
23%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
93
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
14
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
22

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Blue Mountains National Park?

The most likely sightings are Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Crimson Rosella (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Eastern Spinebill (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Australian Magpie (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Red Wattlebird (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 714 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Blue Mountains National Park for wildlife?

September has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in Blue Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 72% of wildlife watchers report a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo sighting in Blue Mountains National Park, based on 4,078 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Eastern Grey Kangaroo in Blue Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 33% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Grey Kangaroo sighting in Blue Mountains National Park, based on 219 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Wombat in Blue Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 25% of wildlife watchers report a Common Wombat sighting in Blue Mountains National Park, based on 140 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Duck-billed Platypus in Blue Mountains National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 12% of wildlife watchers report a Duck-billed Platypus sighting in Blue Mountains National Park, based on 42 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

⚖️

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