Hello Possums!

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We've done about 450 km up the coast so far, stopping off at Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Port Macquarie along the way. The heavy downpours of rain over the past few days have surprised us, but it's autumn here so I suppose it's not going to be so mad hot and sunny...

We've encountered a few examples of Aussie wildlife on our way, one particular introduction being quite unexpected and a bit of a lesson on being aware of what might be lurking in the dark! We were the only camper van on the site at Lake Macquarie, and since the clocks have gone back it gets dark around 6:00 pm. I was standing with the back of the van open, having a cup of tea talking to Steve when we heard a thud on the roof.

Thinking it was a bird, we kept on chatting, only to hear some rustling under the van... I looked down to see two little eyes were staring up at me from the van step and the next thing I knew the furry creature was in the cupboard rooting around the food!

Having never been face to face before with what turned out to be a possum, I screamed like a girl and Steve said I went as white as a ghost. The furry visitor was determined to gatecrash, and took a bit of persuading to get out of the van, after discovering food!

We went and had a look at some more Aussie creatures - this time in daylight, at the Billabong Koala Breeding Centre, Port Macquarie. We got to pat Clancy the Koala, who slept most of the time, and fed the kangaroos and wallabies. Steve managed to coax a little joey out of its mum's pouch for photos.

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Photos

Lake Macquarie Holiday Park
'Where's our van??!'

Cardiff, New South Wales
'We got home quick!'

The Rock Roadhouse, Pacific Hwy 1
Ayres Rock-Stylie Motorway Services

Roy Hudd and Emu
'... Rod Hull, donut'

Roo Pouch
'...I'm never moving out of home, ever!'

Awake at Last!
'....what was that, did somebody say something?'

Comments

[evo]

gooday!!
You got a way with animals "DR DOOLITTLE" !!! ...Evo

[Lichie]

Hi Evo!
Thanks for the comment, Byty. They know who's Champion at Heads! Got to catch me a snake and a croc yet... Lich :-)

[Wyn]

I have been with a few birds !!!
Although it is in the parrot family, you have taken a fab photo of an Eastern Rosella. Can you believe that we feed these in our garden, how fantastic. So glad you found the 'Rock" doesnt it look real !!! Not tempted to climb it then ?? Keep having fun guys.Brill blog, as always.