Tuesday 8 December 2015

The Run Is Done

2/12 - 7/12/15 Flinders Chase to Wallaby Run


Wednesday was pack up day, so we ate our cereal, packed our crap and departed the Postmans Cottage. Our resident Koala had also left in the night, but there were plenty of Roos to wave us off. There was no rush to get back, so we detoured to Snake Lagoon, in the National Park, to do the 4.5km walk. It had been recommended. So glad we did it, it was very scenic. It was rated as a moderate hike, but had some difficult rock sections that look like they are in the process of being re-routed. But it was great. It follows the Rocky river, to where it meets the ocean, which was beautiful. We were the first ones to walk on that beach today.



Morning guys, see ya later! Have a great day.


Too busy digging to be bothered by us walking past. He was not moving.


The Rocky River. Very nice walk, with changing scenery.


Crossing the river. There were signs advising not to cross if boardwalk was under water.


These guys weren't worried about us, just curious how we were doing.


Another awesome creature, not fazed by us. Sunning itself on a nice warm rock.


First sight of the ocean. Wow, it is great.


We just love the interesting rock formations and pools. Would love to see it in winter.


There it is, our pristine beach.


There is one now, a complete "freak" wave......


Great pic Will, perfect light and angle. Not bad for our little Coolpix.


The hike took us about an hour and a half, then we started for home. With a brief stop in Kingscote for food supplies, the drive home was pretty direct, and uneventful. Back at the run, we checked on the chickens, and watered the gardens, before arriving at the house, and sorting our gear. What a nice couple of days.

The rest of our stay at The Wallaby Run, was quiet, with lots of reading, reflecting, and just relaxing. We took a run into Penneshaw on Friday arvo, to investigate the ferry and bus to Adelaide, and to have dinner at the pub. Saturday we did cleaning and final organising of our gear, for a ready departure on Monday. At this stage, we were looking like taking the train back to Perth, as no camper relocations had come up, so we did our research on that too.  Sunday was the return of Liz and Scott, so we got up early to make sure everything was good for them to come back to. It was a good thing we did, because we were able to score a camper relocation at the last minute. Woo hoo, so no more putting off the homeward leg, we have to pick the camper up Tuesday.



Quick visit to Pennington Bay, only a few kilometres from home.


You can't see them, but some crazies were surfing down there.


Cool rock pools on the beach.


We'll find a way around,


Or through...ha ha, told ya.


A cruise ship in Penneshaw. Lots of people looking around town.


A coldie before dinner, at the pub.


So everyone is back, everything is finalised, and we have had an awesome time. To end our time on The Wallaby Run, we had a superb thunderstorm, and downpour. It was fantastic. I have also written a little poem to remember this great place. 


Kids and gear all ready to go home, and safe out of the storm.


It smells magnificent. Nothing better here than some beautiful rain.


Filling the bird bath, and the little creek. The birds will be happy.


I am loving this rain sick!



Pelican Lagoon looks great.


THE WALLABY RUN

We met a couple, and found this place,
A quiet, bushy, relaxing space.
With animals, birds, trees and sun,
It is called The Wallaby Run.

Liz and Scott have built it all,
Every room, and every wall.
They catch the rain, and the sun,
To feed and power, The Wallaby Run.

The chickens are free to roam about,
A delightful life, there is no doubt.
The garden gives them plenty to eat,
Four eggs a day, you cannot beat.

Awaking with the birds a twitter,
The daily chores will get you fitter.
With all the jobs now complete,
It is time to rest your feet.

As you watch with a relaxed sigh,
The Roos and Wallabies hop on by.
The Wrens and honey eaters are still busy,
Flitting, drinking, and making you dizzy.

It truly is an amazing place,
To learn and escape, the rat race.
Thank you, Scott and Liz, it was fun,
Spending this time at The Wallaby Run.


Next is the final leg of our journey, the camper trip! It will be short, but hopefully, still full of fun.


















Friday 4 December 2015

Road Trippin' The Island

28/11/15 Stokes Bay to Flinders Chase National Park


Saturday was a lazy, lazy day. Visit the chickens, water the gardens, read, and watch the little birds have their weekly bath in the bird bath. The weather was windy and uninviting, so we took the hint and just chilled out.


It's Splendid Wren, bath day.


All males, sharing the bath tub.


Sunday, we chucked all our gear in the Forester, and took off at granny speed (we don't want to go too fast, and miss too much), towards Kingscote. Our plan was to head to Flinders Chase National Park, via a couple of other recommended sights. We were going to need some supplies, and Kingscote is the biggest and last real shop on the island. It is a nice spot, and as it was a beautiful, clear day, the bay looked amazing. Being Sunday, most of the shops were closed, but the Foodland was not. We found ourselves on the jetty, watching a couple of sea lions, and enjoying the views. We took a walk around the town centre, bought our food and drinks, then headed off towards Stokes Bay.


The lovely view across the bay towards Red Banks.


Kangaroo Island Carnabies.


Looking back from the jetty towards the town. Spot the sea lion.


Some strange round thing at the end of the jetty. We spotted the sea lion out here swimming. 


Time for another lay in the sun after his dip.


Again, it was a dirt road, that wound around the highest point on the island, Mt McDonnell, at 258m above sea level. On the way, we came across Georges Castle, which is a property, that some person with a great sense of adventure and fun, has built a facade around, to make it look like a castle. It was cool. You are welcome to wander through, and explore, so we did. It even had sword rooms. 


Georges Castle. Let's have a closer look.


He even has his own band of Viking Warriors.


Lovely gardens inside the castle walls.


Turrets with their own sword rooms.


Secret undergrowth passages to the turrets.


Still lots of farm land, but some small pockets of conservation land. This really would have been the most amazing island before farming. By mid afternoon, we had arrived at Stokes Bay, a tiny little bay with a cafe, and a secret beach. It wasn't that good a beach, but we parked and decided to take more of a look. There was a small camping area behind the cafe, a free BBQ in a shelter with picnic tables on the beach, and signs leading through some gaps in the cliff, for another beach. Hmmm, let's investigate. Through the secret passage we went, ducking and weaving our way, before bursting out onto a gorgeous, white sandy bay, with lots of people, rock pools, and beautiful, blue, clear water. Very nice! We took a stroll along the beach and back, and decided we'd camp the night here. It was $10, very good, and they had clean, flushing toilets, but no showers. No worries! So we set up, cooked dinner on the barbecue, and enjoyed the evening down at the beach. 


Heading down from Mt McDonnell to Stokes Bay.


Looking for the secret beach.


I can hear voices through here, Will, come on.


Wow, what a nice surprise.


Rugged and beautiful. 


It really was very spectacular.


Ouch, bloody stupid knees.


Nonuts and Beckie, looking after our camp site. What's for dinner guys?


Twin luxury boats moored for the night in the sheltered bay.


Our dinner view. Very nice.


There was lots of kangaroos and little wallabies, plenty of wrens and other birds too. In the morning, we ate breakfast, made coffees, and just relaxed under the trees. It didn't take us long to pack up, and mid morning, we headed off "down south" for the national park. As we were passing by Parndana, one of the three towns/settlements, we stopped for a look. We decided to indulge in a pie and cool drink, when we stocked up on milk. Awesome pie, second to the Normanville one. Very close.



Spotted our second Echidna, he was much more shy.


And tried to hide in the trees. So cute.


Carrying on, we finally reached the national park, and the scenery was much nicer. Lots of lovely thick natural woodlands, and tall trees. Only disappointment was the Bluegum plantations. Lovely tall lush trees, that they have no market for, as there is no way to get the wood off the island yet. Once they do manage to harvest them, the soil is no good for anything else. Dilemma! But, not dwelling on that, we made our way into the Visitors centre, where we booked The Postmans Cottage, a heritage hut, for two nights. This would give us plenty of time to explore, so we started off by heading to The Remarkable Rocks, which were quite remarkable. It was blowing a gale, and luckily we still had some ballast to keep us securely on the ground. Amongst the bus loads of loud tourists, we managed to enjoy the views and interesting rock formations.


Way out on the point are the rock formations.


Even from here they look pretty cool.


Oh god, a bus load. Time to carry on guys, quick smart!


Hold on to the sign Will, strong winds are here today.


Pretty amazing rocks,


My artsie, fartsie, shot.


Hiding from the bus load, and waiting for some peace, before exploring some more.


Will's artsie, fartsie shot.


How does that happen? Remarkable indeed.


Back at the Forester, we made some afternoon tea, watched the Splendid Wrens hopping around the bushes. They are so bright blue, you cannot miss them. Next stop, Admirals Arch. Another great spot, full of sea lions, New Zealand Fur seals, and rugged coast. We spent so much time spotting the seals, laying in the cracks, on the ledges, and swimming in the sea. There were lots of fights for territory, going on, with the ladies due in from feeding to have pups and breed again. Eventually, we thought we had better find what we had actually come to see, and walk down to the Arch. It was quite spectacular, but still over shadowed by the seals. They are so fun to watch. The wind was howling, and it was cold down under the Arch, so we hurried back up, and finally headed to our little hut.


Another cool lighthouse.


With no fingers or toes, how do they climb up to those ledges?


How many seals can you see on the rocks? They are so good at hiding.


Finally, the Admirals Arch. The walkway, and viewing platforms were great.


So much fun watching these guys. Climbing up was amazing, to get down, was just plain funny. They just flop and face plant. Ouch!


A really beautiful spot, and we would have stayed even longer, but for the wind.


It was a cool little hut, that was built by the May family, in the late 1800's as his family out grew their homestead. Later it was used to house the postman, who came once a fortnight. You can also stay in the Mays cottage, it has more rooms. But this was perfect for us. We made dinner, enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine, and watched the kangaroos around us. A busy day, with lots of sights.


Our little hut, with the bathroom next to it.


Nonuts and Beckie like it. I think they are planning a big night?


Monday saw us going in search of some koalas and platypus. There are many walks and hikes in this park, so we took on three, that formed a loop, right from our cottage, through the Black Swamp, to Platypus pool, and back. A total of ten kilometres, but mostly flat easy walking. Straight away, we spotted a couple of grey balls, swaying with the tree branches. They had picked the flimsiest branches, but didn't look concerned, just asleep. 


Our first Koalas. So cute.


We crossed the empty lagoon, spotting some Cape Barren Geese, then along the trail to the Platypus pools. Lots of changes in bush, lots of flowers, and everything is prickly. So many gorgeous birds flitting here and there, and finally we reached the pools where there are supposed to be up to 200 platypus. Surely we can spot one. I know the best times are dawn and dusk, but surely one of them wants to come out mid day? Nope! Nothing! We spent about 45mins at two different pools, just sitting quietly, watching for ripples or bubbles, but saw nothing but cute little wrens. Oh well, never mind, it was very relaxing and pleasant.


The trail had sections of walkway to protect the area.


It looks like these geese are eating the kangaroo poo, but I'm sure they're not.


This is our trail, and we're happy the sun has come out, and the rain past.


Flowers everywhere, all colours and sizes.


No platypus, but some of these Red Breasted Wrens. They were so quick.


The only one we had a hope of seeing.


Continuing our walk, we came into some woodland areas, spotting a small wallaby in amongst it all, and eventually popping back out onto the lagoon area. We finished our walk following the heritage trail, getting really close to some young Cape Barren Geese, spotting another couple of Koalas, and a very tough goanna. Just as we arrived back at the cottage, we noticed a large grey ball of fluff, up in the massive tree right in front of our cottage. How super, what an amazing day of Aussie animals. Plenty of kangaroos, busy eating next to our cottage, wallabies, koalas and birds galore. Awesome day, fantastic area of this island.


Hello little guy, carry on.


These were young, and not at all scared of us. They had a very quiet little peep sound.


This guy could play Blinky Bill, for sure, check out those ears.


This guy was not fussed about the fact we nearly trod on him.