Feb 8: Kangaroo Island

Our first destination was the KI Wildlife Park.   Not sure if it would be hokey or not, we plunked $15 AUD each and went in. What a wildlife goldmine.  Bought 18 months ago by Sam and Dana, this park is enjoying new enclosures and up close and personal encounters. We were treated to koalas, cassowaries, wombats, ‘roos, wallabies, and many, many birds. All are rescued animals.

http://www.kiwildlifepark.com

Koalas have a life very similar to many Americans: they sleep 20 hours per day, eat for 4, and move around only as necessary to eat, sleep or relieve themselves (about 10 minutes per day).

We petted the koalas and hand fed the kangaroos and wallabies.

The cassowaries are ancient and are clear descendants of the dinosaurs. They even have the fatal claw of the velociraptor…they defend themselves by kicking woith a foot foot and can eviscerate its attacker with the center claw. Sound like Jurassic Park to anyone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassowary

And then whether were the "little penguins" sometimes called fairy penguins....more on them a few days from now.  

This little wild koala was in the trees along the road.

Then off to Stokes Bay for fresh prawns, a Cooper’s Pale Ale, and a walk on the beach.

http://www.kangarooisland-australia.com/destinations-stokes-bay.php

We ended the day camping at Flinders Chase National Park.  First we drove down to Admiralty Arch and Remarkable Rocks. From here we could see the New Zealand fur seals basking in the sun on the rocks. 

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Kangaroo_Island/Flinders_Chase

Back at camp, we took a 3 miles dusk evening walk and saw an echidna, rosellas, and wallabies. Very cool. The echidna and the platypus are the only ‘monotremes’ and are true links in mammalian development. They lay eggs with parchment-like shells similar to reptiles, but secrete milk for their babies. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna