Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wilderness, some beautiful coastal scenery, two old lighthouses, and plenty of
animals. Bird-watchers have recorded at least 243 species of birds here. Koalas
are so common that they're almost falling out of the trees. Platypus have been
seen, but you'll probably need to make a special effort and sit next to a stream
in the dark for a few hours for any chance of spotting one. The new Platypus
Waterholes walk is a 2-hour return walk, great for all ages. The walk begins at
the Flinders Chase Visitors Centre and has a shorter walk suitable for wheel-
chairs. This walk offers the best opportunity to see the elusive platypus. Kanga-
roos, wallabies, and brush-tailed possums, on the other hand, are so tame and
numerous that the authorities were forced to erect a barrier around the Rocky
River Campground to stop them from carrying away picnickers' sandwiches!
The most impressive coastal scenery can be found at Cape du Couedic at the
southern tip of the park, where millions of years of crashing ocean have created
curious structures—like the hollowed-out limestone promontory called Admi-
ral's Arch and the aptly named Remarkable Rocks, where you'll see huge boul-
ders balancing on top of a massive granite dome. At Admiral's Arch there is a
colony of some 4,000 New Zealand fur seals that are easily spotted playing in
the rock pools and resting on the rocks. During rough weather this place can be
spectacular. Recently, the road from Rocky River Park Headquarters to Admi-
ral's Arch and Remarkable Rocks was paved. A new parking lot and loop trail
also has been developed at Remarkable Rocks. There's also a new road, parking
lot, and trail system around the Cape du Couedic heritage lighthouse district.
You also shouldn't miss out on the unforgettable experience of walking
through a colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay. The Seal Bay Conservation
Park ( & 08/8559 4207 ) was created in 1972, and some 100,000 people visit it
each year. Boardwalks have been built through the dunes to the beach to reduce
the impact of so many feet. The colony consists of about 500 animals, but at any
one time you might see up to 100 basking with their pups here. The rangers who
supervise the area lead guided trips throughout the day, every 15 to 30 minutes
from 9am to 4:15pm. If you come here without a coach group, you must join a
tour. Tours cost A$11 (US$6.80) for adults and A$7.50 (US$4.90) for children.
Lathami Conservation Park, just to the east of Stokes Bay, is a wonderful
place to see wallabies in the wild. Just dip in under the low canopy of casuarina
pines and walk silently, keeping your eyes peeled, and you're almost certain
to spot them. If you're fortunate you may even come across a very rare glossy
cockatoo—it's big and black and feeds mainly on casuarina nuts.
Another interesting spot, especially for bird-watchers, is Murray Lagoon, on
the northern edge of Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. It's the largest
lagoon on the island and a habitat for thousands of water birds. Contact the
NP & W SA (see “Visitor Information,” above) for information on a ranger-
guided Wetland Wade.
If you want to see little penguins —tiny animals that stand just 33 centime-
ters (13 in.) tall—forget the touristy show at Phillip Island near Melbourne. On
Kangaroo Island you get to see them in a natural environment at both Kingscote
Don't Feed the Animals, Please
Don't feed any native animals. Kangaroos and wallabies might beg, but
they are lactose-intolerant and can go blind or catch disease from being
fed human food.
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