After the koalas we started on the Great Ocean Road and headed for the Twelve Apostles - old and ancient rocks near the shore that have been carved away over time by wind and water - as tall as skyscrapers. We saw lots of great things and went to Thunder Cave and Loch Ard Gorge. My favourite place were the Twelve Apostles (turns out there are only six). On the look-out we could see all over. You could see the waves crashing against the limestone and slowly carving it out. We walked down . . .
to the beach and saw them from there. The sand was soft and golden. Then we headed back.
The Great Ocean Road took up most of the week, but it was totally worth it. While we had walked around town the first day we were in Australia, I'd picked up a brochure about Phillips Island. There were penguins and seals and more, so we decided to spend the day there. We went to lots of beaches, but didn't go swimming. Birch was having a bad day and he only felt better when it was almost sunset
The Great Ocean Road took up most of the week, but it was totally worth it. While we had walked around town the first day we were in Australia, I'd picked up a brochure about Phillips Island. There were penguins and seals and more, so we decided to spend the day there. We went to lots of beaches, but didn't go swimming. Birch was having a bad day and he only felt better when it was almost sunset
The Little Penguins (a.k.a. Fairy Penguins) are the smallest species of penguin in the world. They nest on Phillips Island and there are lots of researchers who are trying to save them from becoming extinct. The way they make the money is by letting people watch them, but you have to pay for entry. The Little Penguins only come out at sunset when most of their predators are away. If they came out of the water during the day, it's very likely that they'd be snatched up by a bird or a fox. They're only as big as your foot. Unless you have really small feet.
It was amazing watching them appear in the water. They form big groups and then waddle up into the bushes. Their backs are actually a very dark blue so they camouflage in with the sea. After we'd watched several groups waddle up, we went onto the board walk to get a closer look. They are so cute! And they make the strangest sound. It's somewhere in between a roar and a croak and a squeak. I was so close, I could've touched one but the guide said that they will bite and are protected by the Australian government. The experience was one in a life time.
It was amazing watching them appear in the water. They form big groups and then waddle up into the bushes. Their backs are actually a very dark blue so they camouflage in with the sea. After we'd watched several groups waddle up, we went onto the board walk to get a closer look. They are so cute! And they make the strangest sound. It's somewhere in between a roar and a croak and a squeak. I was so close, I could've touched one but the guide said that they will bite and are protected by the Australian government. The experience was one in a life time.
The next day we left the Island and headed to the Australian capital, a city called Canberra. I thought it was Sydney, but I guess that's like people thinking the capital of Canada is Toronto when it's really Ottawa. We've been on the road for a day and last night we camped at platypus reserve. Yes, a PLATYPUS reserve. I saw one but only it's beak in the water. Mom and Dad got up really early and saw it come out of its nest! Mom tried to wake me up when they went out but I'm a deep sleeper. So that's all the updating for now.
Yours truly,
Allie
Yours truly,
Allie
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