Goats prefer the rocky, hilly terrain on the semi-desert areas of western New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. In the rocky alcoves that they prefer there are small rock caves which provide safety and shelter from predators such as wild dogs, dingoes, foxes and other natural predators.
The range of a feral goat could be up to 379km2, but in drier periods of time, such as drought, their range can become much smaller. Goats are also usually found in areas which are also inhabited by wallabies and kangaroos.
Usually when feral goats are being counted, an approximate number of kangaroos and wallabies in the area usually counted to assist with the tally. Counting of feral goats in these areas is also used to get an estimate of how many kangaroos and wallabies are in the area.
Like pigs, goats need a reliable source of water and food. Goats will eat just about any part of any plant, including leaves, bark, roots, etc. This has helped goats to inhabit drier areas, but they do not inhabit the desert.
Goats cannot survive wetland and swampy areas, tropical rainforest and semi-tropical rainforest areas due to the fact that these areas do not provide the adequate cover from predators or do not have the right types of food for their diet.