ELNikkor

A couple of searches you might want to do would be: Bird photography in Australia, and Train trips from Sydney. Seems I heard that if you take a train to the furthest west from Sydney, there is a nature park. Also, just for insurance for photos, look up nature parks or zoos that will guarantee shots of some of the wildlife that might be hard to find in the wild in 3 weeks.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

A country and a Continent.

newvy

I went for three months and came back 8 yrs later w a wife, a dog and 2 children. I loved being there, the people the traveling and animals, birds! Have fun!!

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

There’s a guy over there by the last name of Dundee. Ask around, everyone knows him.😄😄😄😄😄
Sorry I couldn’t resist.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Australia is about the same size as the lower 48 states of the US. Some Europeans think they can see New York, Chicago, Miami, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and the Mall of America in 2 week vacation.

I think that I might like to see Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania. There is good wildlife in northern Queensland but it is very hot and humid there. Be prepared to rough it. You will need to prioritize your what you want to see and do.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Thats Featherdale, about 4km from where I live.

https://www.featherdale.com.au/

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

Australia is a large place divided politically and unequally into 8 states. Each state has its capital city in which the majority of the population live. Probably you've heard of most of them. Sydney, Melbourne and so on? Not much in between apart from great distances in the larger states.
Anyway it doesn't have a great variety of wildlife to view - no tigers or lions or elephants etc etc. But millions of Kangaroos and Wallabies, and Snakes lets not forget SNAKES !! and spiders - many very bitey spiders. Kangaroos and Wallabies are very common away from the cities they are generally non aggressive but its ill advised to approach too quickly or closely. To the best of my knowledge there are no specific wildlife tours with guides as such but there are guided walks available. These are hiking/trekking/bushwalking type tours not really aimed at wildlife.
Zoos are the best places to see the wildlife - Australia Zoo north of Brisbane in Queensland is one of the best in the world and highly recommended. Steve Irwin, its, founder was quite popular in the USA I believe - Crikey was his war cry !!
So my suggestion is:- pick your city, then on arrival visit the nearest Tourism place where you will receive good advice as to the best places to visit.

Siemienczuk

I haven't been to the Australia Zoo but I watch it on TV often. I have been to the Sydney Zoo and I highly recommend it. Although I live in Oregon we are members of the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Don't overlook zoos! Great stuff, high density of animals, and despite various types of enclosures, quite a lot of photo opportunity. And safer. I don't know where you live but Australia has its share of dangerous animals. Saltwater crocs, snakes (e.g. Eastern Brown!), jellyfish. I encountered a funnel web spider on a little hike on Manly Head at the mouth of the bay in Sydney. Safer in the zoo.

Sarco

The nearest capital city to Australia Zoo, is Brisbane, in the state of Queensland.
In October the weather is pretty warm, i.e. over 30C. Pack your clothing accordingly.

https://www.australiazoo.com.au/

I have not been to this zoo but Google states that it is some 1000 acres, and this should keep you amused for a day or two. If you want crocodiles and eagles, in the wild, then you will need to go a 1000km or more north and then you will have most uncomfortable heat. The north of this country in not pleasant for tourists unless going there in winter.

There are two very good zoos around the Sydney area and the weather may be a little more moderate but no guarantee.

Another option is to visit the island state of Tasmania. This is the southernmost state and the temperature would be much kinder to you. Despite the small area of the state it takes a relaxed three weeks to see it. It has kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and platypus. Also there is a very interesting seahorse hatchery in the north of the state. This state abounds with classy wineries.

Do not try to pack too much into three weeks as you will have burn out rather than enjoyment.

Have a safe trip. (Remember that we drive on the other side of the road)

regards
Ron

Sarco

I almost forgot, Tasmania also has Tasmanian devils. (Also in the Sydney zoos and possibly Australia Zoo)

When you decide on a part of Australia to investigate then feel free to PM me and I may be able to give some guidance.

I live 150km south of Sydney.

Ron

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

This is the part you need to take the most notice of.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

And the wildlife is scatteredfar & wide. It's not very wild either. Better viewing in zoos or sanctuaries.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

Just to put things into perspective. You can drive 50 miles west from Sydney and still be within the city limits!. Alice Springs has signs on the highway telling you the next stop is Ayers Rock (Uluru) which is 468 Kilometers (291 miles) There are some wildly vast areas.

We found some interesting critters south of Melbourne. These little penguins come out of the water at sunset and waddle up to the sand dunes to their dens. The authorities strictly prohibit photography because lights scare the penguins and the clicking sends them scurrying. So sometimes you just need to have those memories in your head. We had a dinner in Alice Springs with an aboriginal show explaining the paint, music and dance. While there, we noticed little pairs of eyes reflecting in the campfire. Little kangaroos were coming over to see what was going on. They took off as soon as the tourists stood up to take photos.

There are tons of tour operators that plan extensive trips and I'm sure you can hire a guide from one of them. I would make contact with them and tell them what you are looking for. We did an independent group tour (our schedule was ours, but they had other people who participated for certain parts. We never felt we were being shuffled around) for 23 days and did Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and then a 7 day cruise from Carnes on the Great Barrier Reef. When we were done, I decided we should have added one more week to cover so many other places. We decided that it would be best to do a different trip for 3 or more weeks to get to the places we missed.

It is like trying to see the USA in 3 weeks. Can't be done. Highlights yes, but any sense of the country, not a chance. An Australian visa allows you to stay up to 90 days. I used to have customers visit for 90 days, go to New Zealand for six weeks, then go back to Australia for 90 days, then come back to Wisconsin for the summer.

I know I was rambling, but it could give you an idea what you want to see. I would start planning by looking at tour brochures, or online offerings. Choose what appeals to you and see which tour operator might have the most. Then contact that tour operator to see if they have independent tour offerings.
Good luck.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

There's no place on earth I'd prefer to live than WA. Yes, BIG, but scenery iS our drawcard, it's a long way between features, & you're bound to see wildlife but not like Africa. Under every tree?
There are bus tours, day trips & extended trips but quite restrictive.
Hope you make it.

Jan2019 Loc: CA, San Fransicso Bay Area

World Photo Adventures, WPA, is an Australian company that is travel photography oriented. 30+ years experience, they might be a good contact to design a trip based on what your interests. Darran Leal and his two sons offer guided, small group tours around the world, as well as Australia.

I went on a recent USA Southwest Desert photography trip with WPA and was impressed with their knowledge, high standards and itinerary. They offer trips not listed, based on what is desired.