The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) says it has offered just over $8 million for two iconic paintings of Australian wildlife, but that they might never hang in Australia.

The paintings of a kangaroo and a dingo were created by George Stubbs in 1772 using a kangaroo skin and skeletons as reference, and are considered among the first images Europeans captured of Australia.

They have been on the gallery's wish list since 10 years before the institution was even open.

But the British Government has temporarily banned their export.

If a buyer in Britain is able to match the gallery's bid, the paintings may never make it to Australia.

NGA director Ron Radford says he believes the paintings belong here.

"There are plenty of Stubbs' in collections in Britain," he said.

"It's not as if they don't represent Stubbs.

"This image is particularly significant for Australia, being the first image of Australia and by such a well know artist."

Mr Radford says the painting of the kangaroo is significant because it became the symbol for Australia.

"That's why they are pretty important for us," he said.

"That particular kangaroo image appeared on our first coat of arms."