Kangaroos and Wallabies
Macropus spp.; Wallabia bicolor
Native macropods that graze leafy greens, seedlings and soft shoots in rural and peri-urban gardens. Protected species.
Background
Eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and several other macropods are regular visitors to rural and peri-urban vegetable gardens in eastern and southern Australia. They are primarily grazers, hitting lettuce, silverbeet, cabbage, beans and young corn particularly hard. Kangaroos and wallabies are protected — exclusion is the only legal control for home gardeners.
How to identify
- Damage: leafy greens and young crops grazed to the ground, shoots bitten cleanly
- Tracks: paired rear-foot tracks, 200-300mm long
- Large rounded droppings — kangaroo pellets 20-30mm, wallaby 15-20mm
- Direct observation dawn and dusk
Life cycle
Not applicable to home management.
Weather triggers
- Temperature: -5-40°C
- Year-round pressure, worst during drought when wild feed is limited.
Peak season (southern hemisphere)
Red = active season · Dark red outlined = this month
Affected vegetables & crops
Click any crop to see current prices and growing info.
Climate zones at risk
Organic & low-impact control
- Exclusion fencing — 1.8m high for kangaroos, 1.5m for wallabies, with mesh small enough to stop them pushing through
- Electric fence with two wires at 30cm and 60cm can reinforce a perimeter
- Individual cage covers over priority beds
Chemical control
- Not applicable — protected species
Always read product labels — registrations change.
Prevention
- Plan vegetable patches inside a well-fenced yard
- Close gates at dusk
- Use dogs as daytime deterrents where suitable
Companion planting
Strongly aromatic herbs around the perimeter (rosemary, lavender, sage) may reduce browsing pressure but will not stop a hungry kangaroo.
Biosecurity
Protected native wildlife. Management requires appropriate permits in most states.
Sources
- NSW Department of Planning and Environment — Kangaroos and wallabies
- Queensland Department of Environment — Kangaroos
- Agriculture Victoria — Wildlife and crops
Accuracy confidence: medium. We update this library as new extension guidance is published.