Think of an Australian animal icon. Got one?
Now think about the last time (if ever!) you saw that animal in its natural habitat: happy, healthy, free.
If you can, you’re one of the lucky ones. If you can’t, how special must a place be where you can see not just one, but many famous furred Aussies roaming at will?
Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, is just such a place.
Although sounding like something straight from Muriel’s Wedding, KI (as the locals call it) is one of Australia’s special places. What makes it special isn’t just the stunning Southern Ocean coastline, the 500 year old grass trees, the local food scene, the last remaining bastion of pure Ligurian bees, the surprisingly good wine or even the sumptuous splurge that is the Southern Ocean Lodge.
For me, KI’s special-ness lies in its furry residents. Whether it’s the unique fuzzy, chocolatey kangaroos, seeing an echidna bumble its way along the roadside, watching up to 20 Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring the thermals or seeing my first koala not in a zoo, KI now holds a special place in my heart.
Here’s why…
Tip: Seal Bay in the south of Kangaroo Island is home to rare Australian sea lions. Pay extra to go down to the beach with a guide and you’ll be able to watch on as sea lions amble past you to the ocean!
Go in the morning for light to come from behind you for best photography.
Bird shots were taken at Raptor Domain, so not really in the wild, but we did see loads flying free.
Where's Wiwi? 
One day when we finally get to visit Oz, this will definitely be on the list! I think you have even outdone yourself on the cute fuzzy photo’s!
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OH yes, you will definitely have to come here, it’s gorgeous! So, when can I pencil you in??? 😉
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The photos and their subjects are great. Is that an albino echnida? Pretty amazing to see.
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Thanks so much. Do you know what, it may well be! I was so excited to see it I don’t think I noticed is was unusually pale at the time. Although another one we had seen or day or so previous was also paler than normal. I realised I had a massive smear on my lens afterwards so unfortunately the photo isn’t the sharpest to really zoom in and try and see its eye.
Thanks for your comment!
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Had to come back and have another look at this little guy. It might not be a pure albino but certainly looks to be a bit on the melanin deficient side! Usually the tips of the spines and underfur are black/brown? I wonder if this one is a chameleon – blending in with the sand.
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I did a little bit of research and apparently the further south they are the darker they get, well this little guy certainly doesn’t fall in with that! I compared him with the other one I have a photo of and although the spines are light, the fur is dark, whereas this one’s fur is really light too, so maybe it really is an albino!
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I think you should pass the photo by a zoologist – I’m sure it’s of interest
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I would love to visit Kangaroo Island…certainly after seeing this.
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I was really surprised at how stunning it was. The water is just gobsmacking. I was also surprised about how many sheep there were…
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