A Little Adventure… On a Mission to Pet Kangaroos in Bateman’s Bay!

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

After weeks traveling Australia, I was disappointed that I had not yet seen any kangaroos or koalas in their natural habitat. I’m pretty sure that somewhere—guidebook, tourist poster, Instagram—I was promised a land overflowing with both iconically Australia animals.

Well, the reality is that even smaller towns along the South Coast, where I started my travels, are developed enough to keep the kangaroos far from traffic and fenced yards.

Is it Easy to See Kangaroos in Australia?

Seeing these quintessential Australian animals was one reason I decided to head south from Sydney along the coast of New South Wales. I had hoped it would be easy to see them in the fields, along the roads.

And yes! You can easily see wild kangaroos in the fields in the distance on buses, but once you stop in a town or city, a tourist is less likely to encounter them. So while I saw both koalas and kangaroos within days of landing in Sydney solo, they were in captivity at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.

I’m not a huge fan of zoos and far prefer spotting these animals in the wild when possible. So that became my mission: To spot kangaroos in the wild, and maybe even pet a couple.

Petting Kangaroos at Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park

After traveling through a slew of South Coast towns—from the bigger cities to the smallest of towns—I had given up my last bit of hope that I would find some kangaroos in the wild.

And of course, that’s when I spotted a sign at my hostel in Bateman’s Bay. There on the wall the owner detailed a small, easy day hike through Murramarang National Park .

The entire hike takes a few hours and she suggested that we pack a lunch. And the best part: It ends at Pebbly Beach, a spot that kangaroos love so much that you’re nearly guaranteed a sighting and the chance to pet them.

For a mere $30 AUD (though a bit more than that in USD at the current exchange rates) the sign advertised that the owner would drop me off at the beginning of a three-hour hike.

The hike runs through the lightly forested trails of Murramarang National Park, then the trail spits out Depot Beach. From there it’s an easy walk along the coast to Pebbly Beach. At Pebbly Beach, another hostel-goer and I would bond with the wild kangaroos and wait for her to pick us up three hours later!

The entire prospect thoroughly thrilled me, so I peeled crisp bills out of my wallet and coughed up the cash for the kangaroo sightings.

I convinced Daniela, a German girl also staying at the hostel, to take the hike as well. I promised her a brisk day of light hiking followed by kangaroos. She also hadn’t yet seen the kangaroos in the wild, so she joined.

On the morning of our hike, the hostel owner gave us a map of Murramarang National Park, brief directions, and the she actually told us, “Don’t worry, you can’t get lost.”

Well, let me tell you, I was more than willing to prove that wrong! I’ve mentioned before, but getting lost is the unintentional theme for my round the world trip. It’s even become a running joke. At least, it’s a running joke between me, and well, me. If I was traveling with someone, I know they would be ribbing me about the times and places I get turned around, confused, and downright lost.

So, even with the assurance that it wasn’t possible, Daniela and I got a bit turned around trying to navigate a few of the park’s many trails. They weren’t well labeled and our meeting spot hinged on us getting from Depot Beach to Pebbly Beach.

After a bit of head-scratching, we found Depot Beach!

But there were no kangaroos.

I was profoundly disappointed.

Kangaroo poo coated the beach in tiny, round, brown pebbles—but no kangaroos. And that would have been OK, I mean, we saw beautiful creatures walking through the park.

Cockatoos and parrots filled the branches. Rainbow lorikeets darted across the treetops. As we meandered down the beach, I was sure that we had missed the chance to spot kangaroos for the day.

They psyched us out though!

The kangaroos decided to spend the afternoon further up the beach, and about 30 minutes later we spotted a large group of kangaroos lounging on what could only be Pebbly Beach, which was aptly named as there was little sand and many pebbles.

Even with the overcast sky and grayish weather, Pebbly Beach sparkled. The beach is in a beautiful inlet with the blue sea cresting onto the shoreline. Whales passed across the mouth of the inlet as they migrated for the summer.

And there were flies. Oh man, there were so many flies.

The hordes of flies attacked us by the thousands when we hit the coastline. The flies were the most frustrating and disgusting part of the hike. They flew in your mouth, up your nose, and sat on your head, shoulders, and back as you walked.

Within five minutes, we had passed the point where we still thought “shooing” the flies away would have any last and real effect—it was a pointless waste of energy. With the kangaroos so near, the flies are simply an everyday fact of life.

What to Know About Petting Wild Kangaroos

Once we found the kangaroos, it was time to cautiously enjoy their company. We had truly cool interactions with the wild kangaroos at Pebbly Beach. The kangaroos were in small groups, and the biggest remained aloof from the gatherings.

All of the kangaroos seemed intent on their own pleasure. Some lounged in the sandy grass, others slowly munched their way across the shrubby beach.

With clear advice from the hostel owner about how to responsibly interact with the wild kangaroos, Daniela and I decided to approach one group of small, calm kangaroos.

And while a few immediately scampered away, the majority couldn’t be bothered with us.

In fact, they scarcely flinched when I pet, posed with, and took pictures with the kangaroos. The only thing that risked our limbs was sudden movements. So long as we kept fluid, easy gestures the kangaroos were content to let us lounge alongside them.

Here are four things to keep in mind when petting and interacting with wild kangaroos.

Respect their space and behavior.

Kangaroos are wild animals, and their behavior can be unpredictable. While some kangaroos are used to humans, others become stressed and agitated when you get too close.

Before approaching any wild kangaroo, you must first observe it from a respectful distance. As you approach, assess the animal’s reaction to you and take your next cues from that. If it’s stressed and standoffish, don’t follow it and leave it alone. Seriously, just walk away. But if it seems wholly unperturbed by your approach, slowly walk closer and gently pet it.

Avoid the male kangaroos.

Interacting with male kangaroos in the wild—or even in controlled environments like wildlife sanctuaries—warrants caution. Male kangaroos, referred to as bucks or boomers, often exhibit territorial and aggressive behavior, particularly during breeding seasons. Their larger size, well-developed muscles, and natural defense mechanisms like kicking pose safety concerns for both humans and the animals themselves.

Engaging with male kangaroos can also disrupt their natural behaviors and potentially cause stress or habituation. Prioritize respectful observation from a distance. And if one approaches you, keep your movements calm and unaggressive.

Avoid feeding them.

Feeding kangaroos—or any wild animals for that matter—can have negative consequences for their health and behavior. Human food is terrible for them and leads to serious health issues. And like any wild animal, feeding them also alters their natural behaviors, encouraging dependency on humans.

Choose responsible locations for kangaroo interactions.

You have many options to pet kangaroos in Australia. While you can find them in the wild like we did, you can also visit reputable wildlife sanctuaries that prioritize animal welfare, education, and ethical interactions—look for conservation centers and wildlife parks. Trained staff will then guide your interactions, ensuring you don’t get punched, and the animal is not harmed by you.

The plus here is that you usually see a whole host of other neat animals when you visit one of these!

Follow local guidelines and laws.

If you’re visiting a designated area where kangaroo interactions are permitted, follow the guidelines. These usually include instructions on how to approach kangaroos, where and when to interact, and whether feeding is allowed.

And know that some states protect koalas, and you’re not allowed to touch them in any setting.

What’s it Like Petting Kangaroos in the Wild?

One highlight of the afternoon was spotting a mother kangaroo with her joey in her pocket. The mama kangaroo was unperturbed by our presence as we pet her surprisingly soft, short fur.

I even ventured slowly into the top of her pocket to scratch the baby kangaroo’s head!

It was so cute. The joey would lean out of the pouch when his mum bent over and also nibble the grass.

What a strange-looking creature though. Joeys are hairless at birth, and this little guy still didn’t have much to offer in the way of fur. But even so, I give him mad cuteness points.

Once we were totally and completely satisfied with our kangaroo interactions, we walked to the opposite side of the beach for lunch. We made a spot on the grassy sand dunes and watched the ocean for more whale sightings.

After about an hour of sitting, one huge male kangaroo decided he wanted lunch, too. The hostel owner had warned us to avoid the large males at all costs—they’re more likely to turn on you and inflict unwanted pain. But this one was a perfect gentleman.

The video below shows our interaction with the kangaroo, who I creatively named Mr. Kangaroo.

In Oz, you are strictly forbidden to feed the kangaroos human food because they can’t digest it and it makes them very ill. I zipped my bag tightly closed, which frustrated Mr. Kangaroo.

He hopped away after about five minutes. That gave him five minutes, however, of sniffing our bags and using his strong head to nudge our bodies. He was a determined little bugger!

I knew to keep it gentle and calm with him, and a few Aussies have since informed me that I’m lucky that Mr. Kangaroo didn’t do me serious bodily harm!

Once Mr. Kangaroo hopped away, it was about time to head back to the car park for our pick up. I was exhausted, but content with my day of Aussie animal encounters.

Petting wild kangaroos at Pebbly Beach was one giant check mark on the list of things I had to do before I leave Australia. I still had more than a month to explore, and I would visit conservation centers to meet kangaroos again, but even with more than two months backpacking Australia, I barely scratched the surface of this gorgeous country.

Best Places to Pet Kangaroos in Australia

If you’re visiting Australia and can’t make it to Pebbly Beach, there are many other great places where you can pet kangaroos in the wild.

But note that kangaroos are wild animals, and while they have become accustomed to human presence in certain areas, they are not domesticated pets.

Here are some locations in Australia where you might have the opportunity to observe or interact with kangaroos in their natural habitat.

Note that the final three are actually consideration centers where responsible travelers can have safe interactions with these animals while contributing to their conservation and education initiatives.

Pebbly Beach, New South Wales

This beach in the Murramarang National Park is where I pet the kangaroos in the wild and the entire trip was a runaway success. The national park itself is gorgeous and we saw a number of other remarkable animals.

As we left Pebbly Beach we heard a lyrebird do an incredible mimic of the car engines driving by. It was truly wild.

Lucky Bay, Western Australia

Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park is known for its stunning beaches and the chance to see kangaroos lounging on the white sand. The kangaroos here have become used to visitors and slowly approaching them usually works.

Plant to spend a day here—pack your swimsuits, lunch, and more. The waters of Lucky Bay are calm and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and beach-combing. The sand is also uncommonly soft, so you can sink down into it.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

True to its name, Kangaroo Island offers the chance to see kangaroos! You can often spot them grazing in open areas and fields. Take a guided tour of the island for the best experience.

You’ll go for the kangaroos, but most remember the stunning coastal views and hikes.

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

The Flinders Ranges offer opportunities to see kangaroos in their natural habitat. Some tour operators offer guided wildlife experiences where you might have a chance to observe kangaroos and other wildlife.

If you take a tour, you’ll also stop at Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheater-like formation surrounded by towering rock walls. This geological wonder provides a unique setting for exploration and hiking, with trails that wind through diverse ecosystems, showcasing the region’s rich plant and animal life.

Beyond its geological marvels, Flinders Ranges carries deep cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people, the Indigenous inhabitants of the area. The park’s ancient rock art and cultural heritage sites offer visitors a chance to connect with Australia’s Indigenous history and traditions.

Cape Hillsborough National Park, Queensland

Here, kangaroos and wallabies often come down to the beach in the early morning, providing a unique opportunity for observing them against the backdrop of the ocean.

But the kangaroos are only one of the reasons to head to Cape Hillsborough, a national park featuring lush rainforests, rugged headlands, and pristine sandy beaches. You can hike to your hearts content, stargaze, and take in views of the UNESCO-recognized Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Cuddly Creek Conservation Park, South Australia

While not exactly in the wild, Cuddly Creek Conservation Park offers a more natural setting than a zoo. Kangaroos here are relatively accustomed to human presence and might come close.

Wilson’s Promontory National Park, Victoria

Wilson’s Promontory National Park, often referred to as “The Prom,” is captivating. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, it’s like a non-stop postcard throughout as you enjoy the rugged coastal beauty—pristine beaches, granite mountains, and lush forests.

Oh, and there are wild kangaroos, too! While the kangaroos are not as accustomed to human interaction as wild kangaroos in other areas of Australia, you can still observe them from a respectful distance.

Once you’ve pet some kangaroos, take in The Prom’s rich biodiversity. Take your pick of eucalyptus forests and heathlands, which provide a haven for kangaroos, wombats, and so many different birds. You could even go snorkeling if you were so inclined.

Of take to the hills and hike for the panoramic views from the summit of Mount Obero.

Cape Range National Park, Western Australia

Located near Exmouth, Cape Range National Park is renowned for its stunning coastal landscapes and diverse wildlife. Alongside its underwater wonders in the Ningaloo Marine Park, the park is home to red kangaroos and euros (a larger kangaroo species).

Pay attention and you’ll spot these marsupials grazing in the park’s scrublands and open areas.

Best Kangaroo Conservation Centers in Australia

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Queensland

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast is dedicated to wildlife conservation and offers a safe and controlled environment for visitors to interact with kangaroos.

They have designated areas where you can feed and pet kangaroos under the guidance of trained staff. The sanctuary focuses on education and conservation efforts, making it an ethical choice for experiencing kangaroos up close.

Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria

Located about an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Healesville Sanctuary is a wildlife park dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Australian animals, including kangaroos. While the primary focus is on education and conservation, you are treated to close encounters with kangaroos and other native animals.

The sanctuary provides opportunities to learn about the kangaroos’ natural behaviors and interact with them safely. There are also a number of other cute animals!

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Hobart in Tasmania, is a rescue and rehabilitation center for native Australian wildlife, including kangaroos.

The sanctuary offers guided tours where you can learn about the animals’ stories, their rehabilitation process, and their natural behaviors.

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Australia boasts no shortage of wild kangaroos, but you’re not going to see them if you stay in the city. Instead, either book a tour to a wildlife sanctuary, or road trip the country, where you’ll find numerous incredible national parks where you can easily hike to stunning vistas and beaches filled with hopping kangaroos.

Visiting Australia’s many unique native animals was a real highlight of my two months backpacking Australia.