#37: Wild kangaroos and beautiful views!
9/30/2018
What a day it was today!! As you can see above, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky and it didn't get higher than about 65 degrees all afternoon!! Perfect for exploring one of Victoria's national parks, the Grampians.
My day started bright and early at 5:30 to make it down to the centre of the city in time to catch my tour bus. I went with a tour group called New To Melbourne that offers super cheap day tours around Victoria! Most day tours to the Grampians are over $100 but this one was only $60!! Woohoo!! So, myself and 55 others from all around the world (I was the only American) set out for an exciting day!
Our first stop was MacKenzie Falls, a beautiful waterfall just outside the tiny town of Halls Gap (population only 631). It was an easy, all-downhill walk to the bottom and the hype did not disappoint! The waterfall itself is about 70 feet tall and the rocks all around it were glistening in the sunlight! No swimming was allowed due to the slippery rocks but I could imagine spending a whole afternoon just sitting at the base taking in the view! Unfortunately, the walk back up was gruelling. It was only about 600m but it was steeply-uphill the entire time and the number of stairs to climb in the first half up along was, according to my phone counting my steps, equivalent to almost 40 flights of stairs!! That, plus the several kilometres I would walk later, are definitely gonna make me hurt tomorrow! But, we saw a wild emu right next to the bus before we left! It was at least 6 feet tall and not all bothered by the people rushing up to take pictures and selfies with it!
After the falls, we headed to a few lookouts for the most spectacular views. The image at the top of the page was taken at Boroka Lookout and is one of the most famous lookouts for its rocky ledges that people climb out to take photos on the edge (there's a rail now to stop people). We even saw the cutest little echidna digging in the dirt next to the trail! The first one I've seen in the wild!
Next was a little spot (forget the name) known for being visited by wild kangaroos! Since I had still yet to see a wild one, I was super excited to see at least 20-25 when we got there!! They were just chomping on grass or sprawled out enjoying the last of the sun for the day. A few females had little joeys in their pouches that would stick an ear or foot out every once in a while!! Ahh, so cute!!!!! We saw at least 100 more wild ones on the bus ride back!!
After finally getting back to my dorm at just after 10pm, I was exhausted and quickly passed out! It was such an incredible day and I was able to make friends from the Phillipines, Scotland, and Holland! Hoping to go on another tour with this company soon, possibly the Great Ocean Road next!!
See you in October!
My day started bright and early at 5:30 to make it down to the centre of the city in time to catch my tour bus. I went with a tour group called New To Melbourne that offers super cheap day tours around Victoria! Most day tours to the Grampians are over $100 but this one was only $60!! Woohoo!! So, myself and 55 others from all around the world (I was the only American) set out for an exciting day!
Our first stop was MacKenzie Falls, a beautiful waterfall just outside the tiny town of Halls Gap (population only 631). It was an easy, all-downhill walk to the bottom and the hype did not disappoint! The waterfall itself is about 70 feet tall and the rocks all around it were glistening in the sunlight! No swimming was allowed due to the slippery rocks but I could imagine spending a whole afternoon just sitting at the base taking in the view! Unfortunately, the walk back up was gruelling. It was only about 600m but it was steeply-uphill the entire time and the number of stairs to climb in the first half up along was, according to my phone counting my steps, equivalent to almost 40 flights of stairs!! That, plus the several kilometres I would walk later, are definitely gonna make me hurt tomorrow! But, we saw a wild emu right next to the bus before we left! It was at least 6 feet tall and not all bothered by the people rushing up to take pictures and selfies with it!
After the falls, we headed to a few lookouts for the most spectacular views. The image at the top of the page was taken at Boroka Lookout and is one of the most famous lookouts for its rocky ledges that people climb out to take photos on the edge (there's a rail now to stop people). We even saw the cutest little echidna digging in the dirt next to the trail! The first one I've seen in the wild!
Next was a little spot (forget the name) known for being visited by wild kangaroos! Since I had still yet to see a wild one, I was super excited to see at least 20-25 when we got there!! They were just chomping on grass or sprawled out enjoying the last of the sun for the day. A few females had little joeys in their pouches that would stick an ear or foot out every once in a while!! Ahh, so cute!!!!! We saw at least 100 more wild ones on the bus ride back!!
After finally getting back to my dorm at just after 10pm, I was exhausted and quickly passed out! It was such an incredible day and I was able to make friends from the Phillipines, Scotland, and Holland! Hoping to go on another tour with this company soon, possibly the Great Ocean Road next!!
See you in October!
What a view!!!!
Wild mama roo with her sweet little joey poking their head out of her pouch!
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Bottom of MacKenzie Falls! It was nice till we had to walk up the deadly trail back :')
Top of MacKenzie falls
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