During October I was fortunate to enjoy a couple of wildlife focused weekends in Adelaide and in Tasmania. Here are a few shots of mostly birds, and just a couple of animals. The photos were taken with a Panasonic Lumix FZ18 and edited Using Picasa software http://picasaweb.google.com/Treepol/...dsAndWildlife# .

I flew to Adelaide from Hobart on the 2nd October – those direct Virgin flights are wonderful. The purpose of this trip was to visit my friend of 30+ years with whom I travelled to Africa on my 3rd safari in June this year. I was also meeting an American friend who I first met in Botswana in 2004, Nancy was visiting Australia for the first time =D>. We went to Warrawong for the evening nocturnal walk followed by dinner and the next day down to Victor Harbour and over to Granite Island where there is a fairy penguin sanctuary.

I spent the day in Adelaide, visiting Haighs for chocolates and the guys at Living Adventure (an independent travel agency specializing in adventure travel) who helped DF with her African bookings. We arrived at Warrawong around 5 pm and took a short walk around the onsite cabins where we saw emus, parrots, Cape Barren Geese, a Southern Brown bandicoot and albino wallabies. The nocturnal walk started at dusk and first stop was the platypus pool.

Unfortunately, platypus were scarce and the guide checked 3 pools before finally locating one swimming quite a distance away. There was general relief when it came over and swam slowly along in front of us – it was a very special platypus sighting and a treat for Nancy. Moving on we saw many Southern Brown bandicoots, brush tailed possums – those babies are so cute – rufous bettong, potoroos and just before we started back to the restaurant a handsome red kangaroo.

Dinner was OK, the highlight being the animals that come right up to restaurant window – it’s a toss up as to who is watching who with brushtail possums and wallabies arriving that evening. More information on Warrawong is available at http://www.warrawong.com/index.php

Next day we drove down to Goolwa and onto Victor Harbour and Granite Island. Victor Harbour is a charming seaside town with a Victorian atmosphere created by the tram and the long line of coastal pines. The tram trip takes a leisurely 20 minutes and terminates near the restaurants. After a fish and chip lunch we wandered back to the penguin sanctuary. I wasn’t impressed with the indoor exhibition but once outside we were able to get close to the fairy penguins and were in time for the afternoon feeding program. There are about 9 penguins, including some injured birds found washed up on nearby beaches and a couple of retired penguins from Adelaide Zoo . The penguins were very photogenic and I enjoyed watching them swimming in the pool. We returned to Adelaide via McLaren Vale and the southern beach suburbs and I flew home the next day.

The next weekend my partner Bill and I spent a couple of nights in the Dover area, staying at Riseley Cottage at Strathblane www.riseleycottage.com. We had a leisurely drive down, stopping at the Wooden Boat School at Franklin and later for coffee in Geeveston. We left the main road driving to Police Point along the road that hugs the coast, its one of my favourite drives and is where I often take visitors. I was surprised at the sub-divisions being developed and wondered about the impact on this quiet corner of Tasmania. We ate lunch at Surveyor’s Bay and walked on the beach. There were some firetails around the shacks and many New Holland Honeyeaters and Pacific Gulls closer to the beach. Arrived in Dover with time for a walk on the wharf where local fishing boats were moored and then around to the pub for a drink in the restaurant overlooking beautiful Esperance Bay. Drove to the end of the sealed road where we passed families of masked lapwings with chicks. We checked in at Riseley Cottage around 6 pm where we had booked on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Philip and the 2 dogs welcomed us with scones, jam and cream, tea and coffee.

This was our second stay at Riseley Cottage which is owned and wonderfully managed by Philip and Greg. Our first visit was in 2003 and I was amazed at how the garden had matured since then. Our room was a queen en-suite overlooking the garden, very comfortable and peaceful. The home cooked dinner the first night was Cream of Spinach soup which was flavoured with nutmeg and then chicken and fennel served with a crunchy salad followed by ginger pumpkin pie – all yummy. That night a family from Albury was also staying and we spent a pleasant evening all chatting together with Philip and Greg. Next morning our breakfast was served on the glass enclosed verandah – fruit, muesli, full hot course, toast and jam tea, tea… after which we departed in time to catch the 9.30 trip on the Ida Bay Railway. The verandah overlooks the garden and I was lucky to see half a dozen European goldfinches that morning – how I wish I had collected the camera and taken photos then.

The Ida Bay Railway is a small gauge railway that originally carried limestone through to the port at Deep Hole. It runs from Lune River through the bush to scenic Elliott Beach http://www.idabayrailway.com.au/default.htm . We were the only 2 passengers on the train and had a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The driver points out places of interest along the line and told us some of the history associated with the railway and early settlement. The train startled a large bird, possibly a white-bellied sea eagle. There was time for a walk on Elliott Beach and to look at photos of the early railway and wharves before heading back to the Lune River. Bill was particularly interested in the Lune River Railway which has two Malcolm Moore locos (for the train buffs) as he works as a fireman on the West Coast Wilderness Railway at Strahan.

After the railway we drove slowly south to the end of the road at Cockle Creek. It was a beautiful day, sunny and still and Recherche Bay and the beach at Cockle Creek were magic. There were pied oyster catchers on a beach close to the road and we saw a large flock of chestnut teal at Catamaran which flew away before I was able to get a good photo. Later we searched unsuccessfully for the ruins of the cells at Ryan’s Point before heading back towards Hastings where we had lunch at the Caves Café. Driving back to Strathblane we detoured into Southport where an abalone diver was unloading his catch on the wharf. During our drive around Southport we saw a scarlet robin and several superb fairy wrens. We returned to the main highway via Lady Bay enjoying views of the wild coast.
Arrived back at Riseley Cottage at nearly 7 pm where dinner was Sweet Potato Soup with cardamom, beef hotpot and parsley dumplings and sticky date pudding and butterscotch sauce – delicious. Next morning we enjoyed another wonderful breakfast and unfortunately it was very windy and there wasn’t a European goldfinch in sight :-< .
Left for home with stops to purchase apples and pears from orchards along the way. All in all, a totally enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

I thoroughly recommend Riseley Cottage for its ambience, high quality food, gracious hosts, comfort and dogs. The south coast is one of my favourite corners for beautiful scenery, mountains, forest, seascapes and sparse population. I look forward to returning but not before we have been to Flinders Island sometime around Easter 2009.

Super trip report Treepol. What a lovely time you had. I am about to check out your photos - thanks for posting them. You have to love those little bettongs, they are so cute.
There is supposed to be platypus in a little dam around the corner from my place in Margate, but every time I go there and face the prospect of fighting off a tiger snake or 2, they are never in evidence. I think though I shall ride my neighbours horse in there next time because the grass is too long for my liking.
Your review of the trip down from Franklin is special too because so many people miss that beautiful drive around Police Point and the absolutely wonderful beaches near there. Perhaps it is good that there is only a gravel road otherwise there would be more subdivisions down there and that would not do at all. I really think that that area is the hidden gem of Australia and only few of us are lucky enough to be able to go there and even live near there. Maybe we should keep it a secret!

Great photos. Can you tell us more about the albino wallabees? Is there a whole mob (that's the group term I found) of them? Are all of them in a certain area albino or just a few?

Thanks for sharing Treepol that was a great trip report and loved the photos.

Lynn,

regarding the albino wallabies - I think there were 4 on view and I don't know if they have any more.

There is a good sized population of albino red necked wallabies on Bruny Island which can be easily viewed from the Adventure Bay camp ground and caravan park. I've read reports that there are up to 20 albino wallabies on Bruny but I haven't seen any myself. This gives me a great reason to return to Bruny soon as we haven't been since 2002.

Another good reason for you to visit Tasmania Lynn

Cheers,


Pol.

Yes, another good reason. Thanks!

Thanks, Treepol

I have a couple of days in Adelaide next month, and no plans (after the concert I'm going for)

Sounds like Warrawong and down to Victor Harbor should come into my focus.

Was looking at the Flinders Ranges, but just too far for 2 days.