The Hunter River is home to an abundance of wildlife.
Not to be confused with the Hunter River of Western Australia, the Hunter River is what the Hunter Region of New South Wales owes its name to. It is the lifeblood of Maitland and is culturally significant. It’s also home to a vast array of wildlife!
The main river of the region, the Hunter River, runs between Newcastle and the Mount Royal Range.
It’s a long river in New South Wales stretching across the Hunter Region. It’s a peaceful place to visit and offers a tranquil experience.
The river is steeped in history…and wildlife!
The Hunter River is home to various fish, frogs, reptiles and even freshwater turtles – not to mention the abundant birdlife! It’s safe to say the Hunter River is a rather busy spot.
The Hunter River Turtle
Did you know there are freshwater turtles in Australia? The Hunter River is home to some very cute little turtles, which are only about the size of your hand! It is a short-necked turtle that has bright yellow and green eyes.
If you want to spot these cute little creatures, look very closely on the sides of the river banks. If they’re not in the water, they’ll be basking on the side of the river. They’re quite difficult to see, though, because they tend to camouflage well with their surroundings! They’re unique to the Hunter River, but you’ll also find them in the Murray Basin.
These little omnivore turtles lay around 7-18 eggs between October and January.
Frogs
Amphibians are everywhere in the Hunter River. In the wetlands and creeks of the river, the endangered giant barred frog dwells in the nooks and crannies. If you look closely, you might spot the very cute green tree frog that could be chilling on a green leaf, camouflaging itself against predators.
Platypus
There are cute little platypuses that swim around the Hunter River. They absolutely love freshwater creeks, so the Hunter River is their perfect home.
Birds
There are heaps of birds that populate the Hunter River! So many of these avian creatures swoop around the river, hoping to catch their next meal. Honeyeaters, parrots and white bellied sea eagles call the Hunter River their home. You’ll also spot Australian classic birds, like cockatoos.
Fish and crustaceans
Underneath the surface of the water, there are ecosystems of crustaceans and fish that thrive in this river ecosystem. Crustaceans like yabbies and prawns swim in the river alongside lots of eel fish and Australian carp. These freshwater fish species have higher salt levels in their system, which allows them to survive in these freshwater conditions.
Water rats
These little rats look quite different from your typical ‘rat’! They have thick waterproof fur, which keeps them dry and warm. They are carnivores, eating shrimp and yabbies, frogs, fish and eggs – or any small mammals they can get their teeth into!
Visiting the Hunter River? How many different types of wildlife can you spot?
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.