Saving the Best for Last

The Australia that I have seen has been amazing.  The city of Sydney, the Barrier Reef, the Rainforest and the bush--what a combination.  But honestly I have been waiting for my time on Kangaroo Island and it hasn't disappointed.  Beautiful Southern Ocean Lodge is built into a cliff and open with ceiling to floor glass towards the Southern Ocean.  The expanse of ocean is endless and the sound of the waves breaking on shore a peaceful background to all that can be seen and done.

The first introduction to this destination is a treat called Kangaroos & Kanapes where we were taken to the original homestead in the area and allowed to walk with the Kangaroos.  They have such an odd shape one has to wonder how they can travel so fast for such great distances.  Kangaroo Island is considered Australia's Galapagos.  Not surprising when you learn that there are over 750,000 animals on the island and only 4500 people.

We have had the chance to cuddle a koala but not to find one in the wild.  Today that changed as we were able to watch koalas shimmy up and down branches as they enjoyed the Eucalyptus leaves that they have adapted themselves to eat.  I can only say they are slow and oh so cute!

Next we were able to watch an Echidna scurry along using its amazing backward facing feet to till the soil.  Only in Australia do these animals exist.

In addition to the animals, the wild Southern Ocean weather and surf have combined to create an amazing landscape.  Admirals Arch provides a view of the crashing surf and the New Zealand sea lions with a perspective that lets you know this is an untamed land.

After that there are the Remarkable Rocks.  These granite formations are amazing and have existed for hundreds of thousands of years.  Nothing like these exists outside of Kangaroo Island.   

 

To end the day we were able to visit an endangered colony of Australian sea lions.  At this time of year there are pups in addition to the adults and the visit provides a view into the relationship of all of the ages.  Young ones wondering what we are; slightly older ones fighting and elders preening!