Australia is a land of many unique animals, some of which are active only during the cooler evening and night-time and so are rarely seen. These are the after dark animals so widespread yet so little noticed by humans, whether in our backyards, the arid desert, woodlands or rainforest. Australian Wildlife After Dark brings this hidden fauna into the light. The after dark fauna includes a surprising diversity of familiar (and some not-so-familiar) species, from cockroaches, moths and spiders through to bandicoots, bats and birds – and then some. Each example is described in a unique, friendly style by Martyn Robinson, familiar to many Australians through his frequent media appearances on ABC Radio and in Burke’s Backyard magazine, and Bruce Thomson, an internationally renowned wildlife photographer and bat researcher. The book includes stunning photography and boxes that highlight selected topics, such as the ‘windscreen wiper’ eyelids of geckoes and the strategies used by night-time plants to attract pollinators. Also included are practical tips on finding nocturnal wildlife, a glossary of scientific terms and a short bibliography.

This book examines the oceanic presence in life on Earth, and the ways that we engage with the oceanic worlds for play, pleasure, adventure, and the pursuit of leisure and escape through tourism and travel. The oceanic ‘turn’ across the social sciences and humanities has produced a still proliferating opus of work that seeks to discover and emphasize oceanic presence in life on Earth. This literal and figurative ‘unearthing’ of blue spaces has encouraged scholars to gaze beyond the lands that have supported much of our experience and knowledge towards the gathering up of a more holistic appreciation of blue planetary life. This widening of scholarly attention – from ‘land’ to ‘sea’ – is occurring simultaneously across a range of disciplines and fields, including history, archaeology, anthropology, comparative literature, public policy, cultural studies, and geography. With an explicit focus on 'leisure' and 'tourism', this edited collection follows a growing appreciation that it is our seemingly inconsequential encounters – at play, for pleasure, and on holidays – that are increasingly present and influential in our oceanic relations. This volume will be of value to scholars and students interested in social and cultural history and environmental history and humanities.

Australia has a rich and unique array of animals, including the largest diversity of marsupials on earth. The recent growth in ecotourism has increased the popularity of mammal-spotting, particularly whale and dolphin-watching, but also spotting of perennial tourist favourites such as koalas and kangaroos. Birdwatchers have for many years known of sites where special or difficult-to-see species may be reliably located. However, despite their comparative abundance and spectacular diversity, many of Australia's unique mammals remain under-appreciated because there has been little available information on where to see them – until now. For the first time ever, The Complete Guide to Finding the Mammals of Australia advises interested amateurs and professionals where to locate many of Australia's mammals. The book describes Australia's best mammal-watching sites state-by-state. It also includes a complete, annotated taxonomic list with hints on finding each species (or why it won't be easy to see); sections on travel and logistics in Australia; and appendices with hints on finding and photographing mammals. This book will be of interest to anyone wanting to observe or photograph Australian mammals in the wild, mammal enthusiasts, biological field workers and volunteers, tourists and ecotourists.

From the bestselling authors of Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura comes a nature book like no other—a dazzling, over-the-top collection of the world's most extraordinary wild species that takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It's more than a field guide–it's an adventure. From the curious minds of Atlas Obscura, authors of #1 New York Times bestselling Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura, comes an unputdownable celebration of the world's living wonders. Learn how dung beetles navigate by the stars, and trees communicate through their roots. Meet one of the strongest animals in the world: the puny peacock mantis shrimp. Pay your respects to a 44,000 year old shrub, float along flying rivers, and explore a garbage dump overseen by endangered storks. Examine old examples of bird song notation written on sheet music. Also, first person interviews: hear from a honey hunter and his avian partners, a scientist working to find the world's only ocean-dwelling insects, and an offshore radio DJ who is at the heart of the local fishing community. Featuring over 500 extraordinary plants, animals, and natural phenomena, with illustrations and photos on every page, the book takes readers around the globe—from Antarctic deserts to lush jungles, and into the deepest fathoms of the ocean and the hearts of our densest cities. Teeming with detail and wildly entertaining, Wild Life reinvigorates our sense of wonder, awe and amazement about the incredible creatures we share our planet with.

The go-to introductory guide to Australia's diverse wildlife and habitats Ideal for the nature-loving traveler, Wildlife of Australia is a handy photographic pocket guide to the most widely seen birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and habitats of Australia. The guide features more than 400 stunning color photographs, and coverage includes 350 birds, 70 mammals, 30 reptiles, and 16 frogs likely to be encountered in Australia's major tourist destinations. Accessible species accounts are useful for both general travelers and serious naturalists, and the invaluable habitat section describes the Australian bush and its specific wildlife. Animal species with similar features are placed on the same plates in order to aid identification. Wildlife of Australia is an indispensable and thorough resource for any nature enthusiast interested in this remarkable continent. Easy-to-use pocket guide More than 400 high-quality photographs Accessible text aids identification Habitat guide describes the Australian bush and its specific wildlife Coverage includes the 350 birds, 70 mammals, 30 reptiles, and 16 frogs most likely to be seen on a trip around Australia

A fundraiser for our wildlife, from land, sea and sky. Proceeds go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Australian Wildlife Conservancy. A response to the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, Animals Make Us Human both celebrates Australia's unique wildlife and highlights its vulnerability. Through words and images, writers, photographers and researchers reflect on their connection with animals and nature. They share moments of wonder and revelation from encounters in the natural world- seeing a wild platypus at play, an echidna dawdling across a bush track, or the inexplicable leap of a thresher shark; watching bats take flight at dusk, or birds making a home in the backyard; or following possums, gliders and owls into the dark. Hopeful, uplifting and deeply moving, this collection is also an urgent call to action, a powerful reminder that we only have one world in which to coexist and thrive with our fellow creatures. By highlighting the beauty and fragility of our unique fauna, Australia's favourite writers, renowned researchers and acclaimed photographers encourage readers to consider it in a new light. Featuring- Barbara Allen, Robbie Arnott, Tony Birch, James Bradley, Mark Brandi, Geraldine Brooks, Anne Buist, Melanie Cheng, Claire G. Coleman, Ceridwen Dovey, Chris Flynn, Nayuka Gorrie, Dan Harley, Ashley Hay, Toni Jordan, Leah Kaminsky, Paul Kelly, Meg Keneally, Tom Keneally, Cate Kennedy, David Lindenmayer, Ella Loeffler, Maia Loeffler, Jen Martin, Angela Meyer, Sonia Orchard, Favel Parrett, Marissa Parrott, Bruce Pascoe, Jack Pascoe, Sue Pillans, Nick Porch, Holly Ringland, Euan Ritchie, Antoinette Roe, Kirli Saunders, Graeme Simsion, Tracy Sorensen, Shaun Tan, Lucy Treloar, Karen Viggers, Emma Viskic, John Woinarski, Clare Wright. And photographers- Tim Bawden, Kristian Bell, Rohan Bilney, Justin Bruhn, Andrew Buckle, Matt Clancy, Amy Coetsee, Craig Coverdale, Angus Emmott, Jayne Jenkins, Vivien Jones, Sue Liu, Michael Livingston, Caleb McElrea, Nick Monaghan, Richard Pillans, Gillian Rayment, Linda Rogan, David Maurice Smith, Steve Smith, Colin Southwell, Georgina Steytler, Wayne Suffield, Heather Sutton, Peter Taylor, William Terry, Patrick Tomkins, Matt Wright.

Victoria’s South-West is an iconic region of Australia that includes the exceptional landscape features of the Grampians-Gariwerd, the Victorian Volcanic Plain with crater lakes and cones, the forests of the Great Dividing Range, and Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Victoria’s South-West supports remarkable wildlife, including some found only in the region, and is recognised as both nationally and globally significant for the conservation of biodiversity. Wildlife of Victoria’s South-West is a comprehensive photographic field guide to the region’s wildlife, many of which occur throughout south-eastern Australia. It covers all the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs that occur in the region, including on land and in the coastal marine environment. Each of the 432 taxa profiles includes detailed information on identification, range, conservation status, habitat and ecology, and the local Aboriginal name for the species when known. An outstanding colour image and regional distribution map is also included for each species. Additional information is provided on habitat types, conservation and management of wildlife in Victoria’s South-West as well as 19 places in the region to visit and view wildlife. Ideal for those who wish to identify and learn more about the diversity of animals found in the region, while also gaining an understanding of the distinct role Victoria’s South-West has in contributing to conserving Australia’s stunning wildlife.

The Otways and Shipwreck Coast is known for its natural beauty and attracts millions of visitors each year, particularly along the Great Ocean Road. The value of the region's rich biodiversity is recognised at the national and global level and its wildlife is markedly different to other regions, including eastern Victoria which supports similar vegetation types. Wildlife of the Otways and Shipwreck Coast is a photographic field guide to the vertebrate wildlife of Victoria’s south-west. It covers all the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs that occur in the region, including on land and in coastal waters. Each of the 288 species profiles includes a description and information on identification, range, conservation status, habitat use and ecology and is complemented by an exquisite colour photograph and a detailed distribution map. The book also includes chapters on habitat types, conservation and management, and on 14 key places in the region to view wildlife. This book will allow those interested in wildlife, including residents and visitors, to identify vertebrate animals found in the region. Readers will also become more familiar with the distinct role the Otways has in conserving Australia’s biodiversity.

The Rough Guide to Australia is your indispensable guide to one of the most unmissable countries on earth. Packed with practical information on once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Oz, from sunrise walks around Uluru to viewing Kangaroo Island's wild seals, sea lions, kangaroos and koalas; bush-camping safaris in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to exhilarating helicopter flights down the dramatic gorges of Aboriginal-owned Nitmiluk National Park - not forgetting the stunning harbour side bars and restaurants of Sydney. Written by a team of widely-travelled, dedicated authors, this Rough Guide will help you to discover the best hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops and festivals around Australia, whatever your budget. Plus, you'll find expert background on Australia's history, wildlife, cinema and fascinating aboriginal culture and the clearest maps of any guide. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Australia.

Following are a few paragraphs from this inspiring and astonishingly detailed guide. The author, a native Australian, covers everything you might want to know about Queensland - guaranteed! The places to stay in every part of Queensland, from budget to luxury, rentals to B&Bs, the restaurants, from fast food to the highest quality, the beachwalks and bushwalks, the wildlife and how to see it, exploring the country by air, on water, by bike, and every other way. The immense state of Queensland nearly takes up Australia's entire northeastern quadrant, stretching from halfway up the rough-chiseled east coast all the way to the middle of the Gulf of Carpentaria. With a landmass of 1,727,200 sq km, it's the second-largest state after Western Australia, and it encompasses every environment imaginable. To the east, golden beaches and touristy surf towns are cloaked in thick swathes of rainforest, and fronted by palm-fringed islands in clear, azure bays. The verdant greenery runs right over the rugged Great Dividing Range, ending in high, windswept central plains and stark-red, dusty western deserts. This is Australia's holiday state, with a Florida-style beach culture and more than 300 sunny days every year. There's a ton to do for anyone and everyone, from just lazing on the sand to finding physical challenges galore. Hiking, watching wildlife, skydiving, and spelunking provide just a few tastes off the menu of grand land adventures, which are linked by scenic train and cable-car journeys, meandering back-road drives, and sprawling desert explorations. On the water, there are endless choices for sailing and kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, and diving along the coast and through the Great Barrier Reef. It's the most popular vacation spot in the country because everything's here: nature, culture, history, and adventure, all conveniently set upon a framework of modern towns and wrapped up in some of the world's wildest environments. Brisbane, the state capital, sits 15 mi/25 km inland from the Pacific along the banks of the serpentine Brisbane River. It's a perfectly modern city today, with glittering high-rise buildings and an abundance of green park areas, a surrounding of hilly suburbs, and a wealth of adventure opportunities. To the south, the Gold Coast continues in a line of hotels, restaurants, bars, and beaches; to the north, the Sunshine Coast is equally touristy, but more refined. Small coastal towns like Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Rockhampton are major sightseeing spots and exit points to Queensland's famous offshore islands. Rockhampton, at the Tropic of Capricorn, roughly ends the southern third of Queensland, the region covered by this chapter. Head west of the coast from Brisbane to Rockhampton, and you'll find the scenic tropical forests covering the Great Dividing Range. Keep going, and you'll hit the gemfields, full of gold, rubies, sapphires, and other goodies. Past here, you're into the red Outback deserts. If there's one thing about Queensland, you'll never be bored for lack of new things to see or new adventures to try -and if you can choose just one destination in Australia, this power-packed state will give you the most for your money and time. The Land: Queensland may be massive, but its very different environments can be neatly divided into a half-dozen unique sectors which together hold some 31/2-million citizens. Although the state is so big it's been broken into three separate regions for this book, a general rundown of the varying outdoor scenes is covered here. You'll find a more detailed look at the land, flora, and fauna of the central and northern areas in the two following chapters. The coast, of course, is the primary focus of most visitors to Queensland, a landscape laced with clean white beaches, sparkling blue bays, and perfect, rolling surflines often punctuated by high, rocky outcrops and dizzying cliffs.