Grey-Headed Flying Fox Summer Roost (Royal Botanic Garden Sydney) — Commonwealth Park

About this spectacle

Each summer, thousands of grey-headed flying foxes descend on Commonwealth Park in Canberra, roosting in the trees in a spectacle of beating wings and high-pitched chatter. Visitors witness these large fruit bats — Australia's biggest bat species — hanging in dense clusters, squabbling and grooming overhead. At dusk the colony takes flight, a streaming exodus of dark silhouettes against the evening sky that can last for several minutes. The smell of the roost is unmistakable, and the constant noise of the colony fills the air. This urban wildlife encounter requires no more than a walk through a public park, offering a surprisingly raw wildlife experience in the heart of Canberra.

When to go

Nov — Mar, peak Dec — Feb

Getting there

Nearest airport: CBR. Nearest city: Canberra.

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