Brisbane, QLD


Friday, August 19, 2016

FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM (Kangaroo Island 1)

After out Savannah Way tour we had planned to catch "The Ghan" train from Darwin to Adelaide in South Australia. It travels right through the middle of Australia from the top to the bottom. It would have been a three day trip with stop overs in outback towns. Unfortunately, the train itinerary and times changed at the last minute and we weren't able to get a connection to match up with our hotel and our flight home bookings. So instead we flew to Adelaide and booked a tour to Kangaroo Island.

In the afternoon we arrived in Adelaide after a three and a half hour flight from Darwin. We checked into our apartment and later found a lovely Italian Restaurant for dinner. It was freezing cold compared to up north. Luckily we had packed winter clothes too.

 The next morning we were picked up at 6:30am for a trip to Kangaroo Island for two days. It is a two hour bus ride through the Fleurier Peninsular to Jervis Bay and then 45 mins on the ferry. Luckily, the sea was calm.

 Another coach picked us up and we started the tour. 

 The island is known for its cold windy weather but we were very lucky and had warmish  winter days. First stop was Pennington Bay where we saw beautiful pristine beaches with no buildings. Then we visited an Eucalyptus Oil distillery . We were shown how the oil is made from specially grown, narrow leafed Eucalyptus Trees. Afterwards, had a delicious hot lunch at Vivonne Bay.

 The best part of the day was a visit to Seal Bay, where there is a colony of Australian Sea Lions. These are a very rare type of seal with only two colonies in the world. This one and one in WA. There are only 12,000 left. As we walked down to the beach we saw some resting in the dunes. They have such a cute face.

 We were not allowed to get too close to them for both their safety and ours.

 Mum and and young ones resting and keeping warm.


 Young males arguing over a female.

 The female that has caught the eye of the bulls.

 "Okay you're mine honey." "You have to catch me first. I'm out of here."

A 30 second video of Australian Sea Lions at kangaroo Island.

Another one snoozing under the board walk. Then it was back in the coach for yet more wild life visits. (next post)
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29 comments:

  1. Optimistic ExistentialistAugust 19, 2016 at 6:18 PM

    What an amazing tour and sight this must have been to see :) thank you for sharing with us.

    I wish you a beautiful weekend :)

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  2. GattinaAugust 19, 2016 at 6:43 PM

    What a wonderful landscape again ! and these Sea lions (I want one) If there were not 20 h or more flight between us I would invade your house !

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  3. biebkriebelsAugust 19, 2016 at 7:23 PM

    The sea lions look very at ease here. They look different indeed as the brown ones I have seen in San Francisco lying in the harbour there, and making a lot of noices.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 19, 2016 at 7:45 PM

    What a pity you missed the Ghan trip. It is something for the future and I think ToH might like to do it. Alligator River where there are only crocodiles and Seal Bay where there are sea lions, rather than seals. The eucalyptus distillery would have been interesting.

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  5. eileeninmdAugust 19, 2016 at 9:35 PM

    Hello, sounds like an awesome tour Diane! I'd love seeing the seals, wonderful collection of photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  6. DeniseinVAAugust 19, 2016 at 11:02 PM

    That is a great trip Diane. I love the adventures you take us on and the photos and video were fun to look at. Thanks so much. Looking forward to the next installment at Kangaroo Island :)

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  7. MadSnapperAugust 20, 2016 at 3:21 AM

    i wish this fat body could run like those seals in your video.. the seals make my heart feel warm and fuzzy... did you see kangaroos on kangaroo island or just seals and beautiful beaches. that road through the trees is AWESOME

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  8. CynthiaAugust 20, 2016 at 3:26 AM

    What great views of the sea lions! Especially the lady the Bulls were fighting over -- she's very cute. :-)

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  9. GosiaAugust 20, 2016 at 4:32 AM

    Diane your country is a real paradise of nature and wildlife...

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  10. Fun60August 20, 2016 at 5:03 AM

    Looks a great place for your impromptu visit. Lots to see and observe. I saw sea lions in the Galapagos Islands and the smell was overwhelming. Did you have a similar experience?

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  11. HuggybearAugust 20, 2016 at 10:27 AM

    I have been told that besides being dangerous if you get too close,
    their breath will knock you out.
    Great lot of photos with a fantastic reporting of all.
    I think you may have been fortunate with "The Ghan" - it is no longer
    what it once was. "T.O.H" would not have been impressed.
    Cheers
    Colin

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  12. betty-NZAugust 20, 2016 at 3:24 PM

    What a great trip and wonderful photos! The seals are so cute :)

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  13. yevishaAugust 20, 2016 at 3:49 PM

    my husband was born on ki but i've never been. it's on my bucket list. the seals are lovely aren't they? i had no idea there were only two colonies left. great photos as usual Diane.

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  14. Joan ElizabethAugust 20, 2016 at 5:08 PM

    I thought we might include Kangaroo Island on this trip but it wasn't to be, not enough time to fit it in. The sea lions remind me of the coast above San Fransico I don't think I've ever seen seals in Australia.

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  15. GeorgeAugust 21, 2016 at 12:32 AM

    I'm sorry to hear that the train trip did not work out, but I'm glad you made it to Kangaroo Island. It's beautiful.

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  16. jennyfrecklesAugust 21, 2016 at 3:38 AM

    Pity you missed the train trip, it all looks so amazing. Glad to hear some of those rare seals survive.

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  17. RhodesiaAugust 21, 2016 at 3:52 AM

    Just love those seals they are such beautiful creatures. The only time we went to Adelaide it was raining when we got off the plane and still raining when we got back on the one to leave several days later!!! We just did the wine route and got soaked inside as well as outside:-))) We had an amazing meal in a German restaurant somewhere but I have no idea now what it was called. Keep well t'other Diane

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    Replies
    1. diane bAugust 21, 2016 at 7:51 AM

      That would have been Harndorf a cute little town with a German heritage . Its a shame it rained everyday you were there.

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    2. DianeAugust 21, 2016 at 11:29 PM

      That sounds right, two day after we left the place was flooded so we only just got out in time!

      Delete
  18. krishnaAugust 21, 2016 at 7:53 AM

    Nice and exciting tour.. I love the seals.. They are so very cute.. :)

    Please visit..


    http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com/

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  19. Stewart MAugust 21, 2016 at 11:07 AM

    What a great spot KI is. I hope to do the Ghan trip on day.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Darwin, NT

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  20. Beatrice P. BoydAugust 21, 2016 at 10:56 PM

    Diane, I have just spent a wonderful time traveling with you by looking at this post and the older ones that preceded. You have the most wonderful travel experiences and thanks for sharing them through text and photos. I have never been "down under" but certainly hope to get a chance to visit one day. And, if not, I can visit through your informative posts.

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  21. Come Away With MeAugust 22, 2016 at 5:57 AM

    Hello Diane! I see you and Bill have been on more adventures. It's always a pleasure to see what you've captured with your camera and read all about it.

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  22. Sallie (FullTime-Life)August 22, 2016 at 12:07 PM

    Oh my goodness those are pretty sea lions ... I always love seeing seals and sea lions but I think these are the cutest ones ever. Doesn't it feel weird to go from one climate to another in such a relatively short time? Surely one of the joys and amazements of air travel! This travel adventure has been just amazing.

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  23. KatieMAugust 22, 2016 at 5:15 PM

    This sounds like a wonderful trip you've done. I'd love to do something similar.

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  24. Jo-Anne's RamblingsAugust 23, 2016 at 11:55 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful time was had, I would love to visit Kangaroo Island and Seal Bay one day I do say that a lot don't I

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  25. bailiAugust 24, 2016 at 10:51 PM

    they are cute
    sure you enjoyed their company for while

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  26. MTWagginAugust 25, 2016 at 12:19 AM

    Wow Diane some fabulous pictures! I love the tree lined road a lot!

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  27. BarbSeptember 3, 2016 at 5:29 AM

    I've never heard of Kangaroo Island. I thought I'd netter start with this post and tour along with you. You and Bill are giving me the travel bug! Great photos. I love that tunnel of trees.

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