Quolls are small marsupials that live in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Like kangaroos, females quolls carry their young in a pouch. Quolls have naturally short life spans; smalls quolls only live two years. Quolls are nocturnal and hunt at night, usually insects, frogs and small mammals. The biggest threat to quolls are cane toads, which were introduced into Australia in the 1930s. Quolls may die after consuming one of these toxic toads, but a University of Sydney project is teaching them to avoid eating these poisonous invaders.

Crib Notes:

• Quolls sometimes scavenge campsites and rubbish bins.
• Females give birth up to 18 pups, but only six survive the first two weeks.
• There are six species of quoll: four live in Australia and the other two live in New Guinea.

Time of year: Tasmania is cooler than the Australian mainland year-round: while weather in the highlands is unpredictable at all times, summer is a reliable time to explore the island’s outdoor attractions.

Destination: Surrounded by the majestic mountains and wilderness of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge offers its visitors a serene and luxurious getaway. With a number of cabins and suites to choose from there will be something to suit every family, and the Lodge also features bars, a restaurant and bistro, and the famous Waldheim Alpine Spa, where you can be pampered whilst overlooking stunning views of the rugged Tasmanian landscape. With a wide variety of guided walks and trails on offer, you can select your desired length of walk and level of difficulty, and there is one to accommodate every need. Taking a quiet stroll at dawn or dusk gives the best chance of seeing not only quoll but platypus, wombats and other wildlife and flora.

Price Guide: From $189.