A Koala Convention

Posted on by Miriam

What a welcome. We’d just checked in when we spotted him. He wasn’t asleep or high or chewing on leaves. He was alert and a real cutie. And then he came down, as though to greet us.

Welcome to Kennett River.

What a perfect way to begin the final night of our Great Ocean Road adventure.

Let’s backtrack a bit.

We left Port Campbell under grey skies that morning but the mood was light.

Our first stop was the 12 Apostles, Victoria’s number one tourist attraction. Normally it’s a jostle to get a photo and the boardwalks are filled with tourists, but this morning it’s quiet. It’s just us and the pounding of the waves below.

I loved the poetry boards on the boardwalk. Poems that speak of the ocean, the fury of the waves and the savage history of this shipwreck coast …

However, words and photos can’t compare to seeing the real deal.

There are now only eight Apostles left, these huge limestone stacks that once were connected to the mainland cliffs but now rise out of the Southern Ocean and reach into the sky.

Over the years the relentless power of the waves, the wind and nature’s fury has carved and sculpted them and eroded them down.

Majestic. Magnificent. Ancient. This morning they appeared mystical, like sentinels standing guard on the Southern Ocean floor. They appear to have their own ever changing moods of colour and intensity, depending on the sky above.

More might tumble over the years. Who knows when, in time, more stretches of the cliffs will become pillars and Apostles.

We continued on our journey and agreed that the wet weather was conducive to some indoor tasting. Knowing how much our guests loved cheese we detoured to Apostle Whey Cheese in Cooriemungle, not far off the Great Ocean Road.

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“The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese”

Cheese lovers take note. “This is a genuine paddock to plate operation which means all cheeses are made from pure milk that’s been produced by a speciality bred herd of Aussie Red/Jerseys.”

Their cheeses were divine. Honestly, they were so good it  was hard to decide which I liked best so I did the only thing I could. I bought a whole heap of them! Lunch/dinner was looking mighty fine.

“Happiness comes in many forms, Grated, Sliced, Diced, Melted.”

Blissfully content, we continued along the Great Ocean Road, as it weaves in and out of the magnificent Otway Ranges. Before we knew it we were at Melba Gully, one of the pristine pockets of rainforest in the area.

A thirty minute walk through this magical lush rainforest awakens all the senses. It’s a land of green giants, an oasis of towering tree ferns that hints of magic, elves and goblins.

At night time the glow worms come out and play. They’re mesmerising. You just need to take a torch so you don’t fall down a hole and end up in Alice’s Wonderland.

Lose yourself in here
Amid giants of the rainforest
An oasis of elves perhaps!
Awaken your senses
We skipped the night walk this time but even during the day there’s magic around. I could have sworn I saw a troll underneath this bridge!

By the time we got back to the car, tummies were rumbling. We stopped off at the Bakery in Apollo Bay, which was in the throes of its annual Seafood Festival, but our sights were firmly planted on our last destination, Kennett River.

And it was there we met our furry koala friend. Did you know that the koala can run as fast as a rabbit? And it’s not actually a bear, it’s a marsupial, related to the kangaroo and the wombat.

Considering that koalas sleep for up to 19 hours in a day we were lucky to see them as active as we did. If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see a couple of my videos on these furry creatures.

Food at last. Finally!

It was a late but much anticipated lunch after we’d got camp set up.

And boy did we enjoy the bounty of our travels.

In between our late lunch and even later pasta dinner there were more local walks and koala sightings. Right behind our camp there were koalas grunting, groaning, playing, threesomes, tiffs, stand offs. We saw it all.

I think we might have encroached on a koala convention or maybe something a bit more amorous!

Not to be outdone by the koalas, Kennett River is also a haven for colourful bird life. Catherine seems to attract them everywhere she goes.

Later that afternoon was spent at the beach which was right across the road from our campsite.

As our feet enjoyed a touch of summer, we revelled in the small things, enjoying each other’s company, reliving the last few days, knowing that tomorrow would be the final day together. It wasn’t ideal beach weather but we made the most of every moment.

I guess that’s the aim of each day, even when we get caught up in the ordinary stuff. Looking at everything with grateful eyes and realising that all that we do and think is a choice.

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Take care and make time for rest and relaxation. And keep enjoying the journey, that’s where joy lies.

Just ask the koalas.

In love and light

The trail is the thing. Not the end of the trail.

91 thoughts on “A Koala Convention”

  5. Wow..!! What a friendly koala and equally friendly parrots.. ☺️
    Great to see a lush green forest in Australia. Gives us some hope against global warming. We were losing earlier, but now, I believe we shall rise and win this war, once and for all..!!
    The Twelve (rather 8) apostles look spectacular and majestic.. Thank you Madam for sharing.. ☺️

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. You are most welcome Madam..!!
        Hope to someday visit Australia some day and volunteer towards terra-forming this large country into a green or frozen Paradise..

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  10. The Apostles were absolutely mesmerizing to me. As a geologist by education, I am fascinated by the bedrock and the effects of erosion and time on same. If I ever have the chance to visit, I’d probably have to be pried off the beach! Thank you for sharing.

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  11. So much beauty and happiness..nature that reveals the wonder and bounty of Earth.
    Such days are precious and worthy to celebrate. Life is a celebration really and I think
    the sweet Koala agrees.
    Lovely post

    miriam

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  16. What a great post. It is wonderful when you are at a tourist attraction (that is usually crowded and find it empty of people). You got very lucky. Now, as for the Apostles. Magnificent. I just saw the same thing here on the island. It is really inspiring (like you).

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  19. What a lovely trip you had, Miriam. Yes, the koala welcomes me to your post also. I didn’t know they sleep 19 hours a day. He must be awake just to welcome you. I heard of the disappearing of the Apostles but was surprised to find out there are only eight left.

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    1. Yes, the Apostles are slowly being worn away. Sad but that’s nature and the way of the earth. As for those koalas, they sleep so much to digest all the eucalyptus leaves they eat. I think we were lucky to get there at the right time of the day!

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      1. I’m sure it happens to the nature, just that the Apostles are more visible. Yes, the eucalyptus leaves are tough. We have one tree. Also for our fireplace, my husband like to buy eucalyptus wood because it’s harder and burns longer. I’m glad you had a wonderful trip!

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  20. Magnficent. Beautiful places and it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing. We had a similar encounter to yours with a koala in Noosa National Park. My late sister Celia was lucky enough to be with us, visiting from UK – a memory I shall hold forever, for so many reasons.

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  22. What a great campsite! Seeing and hearing all the koalas must have made that a wonderful experience for David and Catherine! And you too! I am a bit envious of the cheese on offer at lunch! Must get back to Apollo Bay one day. P.S. it looks pretty cold given it is summer?

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    1. Hi Amanda, yes that ploughman style/cheese lunch was pretty good. Kennett River was great, as was the rest of the Great Ocean Rd, but you’re right, the weather did cool off after we left the Grampians.

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  24. The Kennett River area is gorgeous! I’m glad you had such a good trip together, and I especially loved the photos of the koalas. After hearing how so many of them died in the horrible fires, it cheered me no end to read about them and see the photos. Thanks, as always, for sharing Miriam!

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  29. Dear Miriam, I have just caught up with your series of posts on the Great Ocean Road and so enjoyed reading them….and your pristine photographs of the beautiful great ocean and rock formations did much to stir my soul…looks like you all had an amazing special adventure to remember. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it, finding ever-new beauty in the world and in each other 💙💛

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    1. Beautifully said Lily. Thank you my friend, yes, that’s what it’s all about. Hope you’re keeping well during these very strange and unsettling times. Thinking of you and sending you a big hug and lots of love. xx 💕

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  31. That koala is just the cutest, Miriam!! The Apostles and that coastline look breathtaking. I love seeing photos of that area. Mmm…I’m a cheese addict. I would love that place. 🙂 Melba Gully DOES look like an enchanted forest filled with magical creatures!! What a marvelous adventure!! xx

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