Flying foxes are a fascinating group of large and extremely adorable bats that are also referred to as fruit bats. There are 60 different species of flying fox found across Australia, Asia and parts of East Africa, all belonging to the genus Pteropus.
The name flying fox comes from their extremely cute faces, which very much resembles that of a fox. And the “fruit bat” name also reveals a lot about them – they are bats which feed primarily on fruit and plant material.
Sydney’s flying foxes belong to three species: the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), the black flying-fox (Pteropus alecto) and the little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus). But it is the large grey-headed flying foxes that are the star of the show in Sydney, with their 1m wingspan and large colonies.
These gentle giants play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal, contributing to the health of Sydney’s ecosystems. Find out more about Sydney’s flying foxes here: https://sydneybats.org.au/flying-foxes/.
Best Places to See Flying Foxes in Sydney
Lachlan Swamp, Centennial Park
One of the best wildlife destinations to see flying foxes in Sydney is the area known as Lachlan Swamp in Centennial Park. This green oasis is home to the largest colony of grey-headed flying foxes in Sydney, as well as a whole host of other wildlife, especially bird life.
It is really easy to access as you can catch a bus from the centre of Sydney and be there within 30 minutes. Once you get off of the bus at the edge of the park, follow the tree-lined pathways to Lachlan Swamp, where you’ll find an enormous flying fox colony roosting among the branches.
As sun begins to set, you will see the thousands of bats becoming more and more lively, chattering and moving around in the trees, before finally the entire colony will begin to hit the skies in preparation for their nightly forage.
