Sunday 23 September 2012

More than just Koalas at Kennett River

My wife and I took two work colleagues, visiting from overseas, on my favourite daytrip from Melbourne today: the Great Ocean Road. One of the compulsory stopping points is the Grey River Road at Kennett River (see map). It's the most reliable place along the GOR to see koalas in the semi-wild.

Koala, Kennet River, Victoria

Also commonly seen here (and now, unfortunately, encouraged by feeding) are Australian King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas. The one advantage of the feeding is that the birds are relatively tame and allow you to get very close (all these shots were taken with a 28-200mm zoom).

Australian King parrot (male), Kennett River, Victoria
Australian King Parrot (female and male), Kennett River, Victoria
Australian King Parrot (male), Kennett River, Victoria
Crimson Rosella, Kennett River, Victoria
Crimson Rosella, Kennett River, Victoria


4 comments:

  1. Please observe the signs and don't feed the birds. This is being addressed inns report by the dept of conservation. Due to the overwhelming numbers of buses each day at Kennett river, koalas are now retreating and the very things that we as home owners there is being destroyed by unsustainable tourism. We are shocked to see tourists climbing trees to try to touch koalas

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    Replies
    1. I agree re feeding the birds. I have never done it but lots of other people do. Not sure if the cafe is still selling bird seed though...

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  2. I stopped a group of young men from feeding the wild birds Smiths Crisps today. They really didn’t seem to have a clue about the danger to the birds’ health. I don’t remember seeing any signs around the café or on the path up to the koalas. Sad to say that I think there should probably be a ranger or someone up there to keep an eye on the visitors.

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  3. Well done - unfortunately, too often, this can lead to an awkward confrontation but we hav e to get the message through somehow.

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