The Big Koala Hunt

So far since we have been in Australia, Friday is my favorite day of the week. Although that's not much different than when we are in Canada. Friday here is different though. Friday is the day we go exploring. We jump in our truck and head out on the road to explore the areas around us. I have yet to be disappointed on a Friday here. About two weeks ago we headed northwest of Montrose. One of Steve's coworkers told him about a place called Pound Bend which is supposed to be a guarateed koala sighting spot.

Pound Bend is a small town in Warrandyte State Park and it is beautiful. The Yarra River winds through the park and there are many trails to walk on. There are picnic and day camp areas and, apparently, koalas. We walked for about an hour along the river keeping our eyes peeled for koalas, all the time wondering where in the trees they hide. Are they near the top, on a branch, in the crook of a branch where it meets the trunk? What time do they come out? Day time? Dusk? We probably should have done a little more home work on the subject before we went out.

After an hour the girls were starting to complain about how far we had walked. They were complaining so loudly that really, any koala that was going to show itself probably changed it's mind. I can't say I blame them (the koalas). The girls can be really loud when they are tired and hungry.

We decided to head back to the truck and head somewhere for dinner. That is our other Friday night adventure. Where shall we eat? We usually end up getting some takeout along the way home and sit outside somewhere to eat it. Anyhow, we head back to the truck and decide to cut through a clearing between the river and the parking area. We are innocently walking along when we find an old piece of machinery. Questions and guesses flew about it's original purpose. There were 2 small doors that look like they closed over a small wood burning area and a cylinder on the top that looked like a small rocket. It had obviously been in that spot for so long. How do I know that? The huge tree that was growing through the middle of it! The area was once part of the original area where gold was found and with the river near by maybe it had some use during the gold rush.

Satisfied with our examination of all things mysterious we headed once again for the truck. You know that feeling where you are sure you're being watched but when you look around nobody is there? We had that feeling. Yep, we were being watched. Two kangaroos, not koalas, but kangaroos were standing about 10 feet from us watching us examine the mystery machine. I have to admit it is a little unsettling to find this. Do they attack? Are they scared of people? Do we move? Will they move? We stood and watched them for a while and then slowly started walking towards the parking area. It turns out they are scared of us, as we watched them hop away. It did make our day seeing them. Finally some real wild life!

Silly koalas. They'll have to wait for another Friday adventure. Or at least until we can get to a zoo.