Weekend Adventures in Western Australia

The vast landscape of Western Australia deserves extended periods of discovery but I was forced to squeeze as much as possible into one short weekend. I decided to visit the coastline and desert area to the north of Perth. With this also being my last full weekend in Australia, I was also determined to make my tourist activities as stereotypically Aussie as possible. 

My first stop was at Caversham Wildlife Park, to finally see some Australian animals. This place is amazing because, unlike a traditional zoo, they allow visitors to actually touch and feed some of the animals. 

The koala sanctuary was a highlight for me. Not only were they absolutely adorable, but they were also quite timid. The smallest one was the cutest and he just faced the tree while people took turns petting him. The fur felt a little like a sheep. There were also two larger koalas - one was climbing along a ledge while the other slept in another small tree - and both were equally as cute. 

A young koala sits timidly in the tree

The park also has several cages of owls, exotic birds, emu (which I stay far away from), and others that I didn't recognize from back home. I love looking at animals. 

The next interactive stop was in the kangaroo area, which housed at least 100 of the jumpy guys. I'm not sure what I expected, but they were not it. The fact that they hop around aimlessly made me a little nervous at first, but they were totally harmless. I fed them food that resembled guinea pig pellets and didn't even feel the smallest nibble on my hand.

Feeding the kangaroo (less scary than I thought)

The kangaroo were hopping around everywhere!

When my group started walking away, it was funny to see them standing up on their hind legs, silently looking for more food. We left a few food pellets on the ground as a parting gift. [Random thought: I wonder why no one keeps kangaroos as pets? Even though kangaroos are "wild", I found them to be more calm than many dogs I have encountered.]  

These guys easily finished off the remaining food

As we continued around the park, my favorite photo opportunity was with a huge wombat. I could barely look at her without laughing, to be perfectly honest.  I don't know if it was the huge body, the tiny legs, or the funny looking face, but I was definitely a fan of these animals.

Sitting with a huge wombat

Overall, Caversham gets a huge thumbs up from me. The employees really love their jobs and the animals seem to have a great habitat. Finally being able to meet some native Australian animals and to learn more about them was a huge bonus for me. 

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I was also excited to visit The Pinnacles, which are unusual limestone formations in the desert. Locals sometimes downplay this attraction, but I was enchanted by the mysterious spikes that emerge from the ground for as far as the eye can see.

Limestone formations in Nambung National Park

Enchanting views

For me, the biggest appeal is in the disputed theories to explain how these formations came to exist. Aboriginal folklore considers them to be the fingers of kidnapped children (obviously crazy talk, but a good excuse to keep their kids away)! I tend to agree more with the theory that they are fortified roots from a forest that was burned in a bush fire many centuries ago. The roots were only exposed when the sand surrounding them was later swept away. 

Trees are starting to grow around the rocks in some areas

One of the more "spiky" areas of the national park

It is probably not necessary to spend more than a couple hours in the park, but I am glad that I got to witness something completely different than anything I had seen before. 

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The coastline around Pinnacles was also really beautiful - even in the early winter season. Here, the beaches have a very fine sand and lots of beach grass to protect the land from the fierce winds that frequently blow off the Indian Ocean. It is such a contrast to the dramatic cliffs rocky coastline along the Great Ocean Road.

Beaches near Cervantes, Western Australia

Sand boarding is a popular activity in Western Australia and I had to discover what all the hype is about. Basically, it's just like warm weather snow boarding, without being strapped into the board. Indian Ocean Drive passes quite a few sand dunes, but the largest and most popular is in Lancelin. As we approached the hills, I felt like a little kid at a playground. 

Arriving at Lancelin Sane Dunes

Most people spent their time hanging out in the peaceful surroundings and only sporadically climbing the hill for a short ride. There were also some four wheelers and off-road SUV's that blazed over the sand with a lot more speed and recklessness. 

Four-wheeling on the dunes

This kid has a future in sand surfing!

I was surprised by how difficult it was to keep balanced on the sand. Just when I started building up some speed, I would inevitably hit a slow patch and face plant right into the sand. Running back up the hills was also quite a workout and it usually just ended up as more of a half-crawl as I reached the top. Let's just say I will not be vying for a sand boarding championship any time soon, despite what the confident-looking, sand-faced picture below may imply! 

Yes, I have sand all over my face!

I really enjoyed sand boarding, despite the fact that I had sand inside every crevice of my face for the rest of the evening. If I lived out here, I'm sure I would be spending quite a few weekends "surfing" in the sand dunes, grilling by the beach, and just enjoying the days pass without any concerns. 

Perth may be the most isolated major city in the world, but it is filled with activities, both in and around the city. I would have loved to explore even more of the vast wilderness that epitomizes Western Australia, but I suppose I will have to save all the other destinations for my next trip.