Victoria

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Victoria
Victoria is the second smallest state in Australia, yet it offers a diverse range of wildlife and wilderness experiences. The state's climatic and geographical features range from temperate coastal and central regions to the northeastern Victorian Alps and the semi-arid northwest. Temperate rainforests are found in the southernmost part of the Australian continent. The forests, deserts and picturesque sandy and rocky beaches are home to many species of wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, possums, as well as many species of honeyeaters and other birds. The Mallaccota District, including the Mallaccota Inlet and Croajingolong National Park, is located in the far east of the state. It combines temperate rainforest, heathlands, plant communities and scenic beaches with rich birdlife, including some species more typical of northern states. The area has been designated by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area for its diversity, home to the endangered Eastern Bristlebird. Victoria's high country, with its snow-capped mountains, is an important habitat for many rare species such as the endangered Baw Baw Frog, the Mountain Pygmy Possum and the endangered Leadbeater's Possum. It is also home to wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, gliders, platypus, snakes, lizards, cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, galahs, kookaburras, Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos and lyrebirds. The mountain forests of the Otway Ranges are home to koalas, possums, kangaroos and wallabies. In Victoria, the best place to spot whales close to shore is probably around Warrnambool, where Southern Right Whales pass by every winter.