Here we encountered some real giants.
Only a 1.5 km walk on even ground so no suffering with sore muscles this time. Not having much else planned we headed back for a walk on the beach. Before we left the UK we bought a Muvi camera (Like a Go Pro but considerably cheaper) and the rock pools gave us a good opportunity to try it out.
The sun may have been out but that wind was biting, and we cut our walk short and headed back to the warmth of the van. We had several more hours to kill before meeting Bruce (Good name for an Aussie!) who would take us canoeing on Lake Elizabeth. I took this extract from:-
http://www.oren.org.au/campaign/threatareas/lakeliz.htm
On the 17 June 1952, a landslide occurred in the headwaters of the East Barwon river, blocking the river and creating Lake Elizabeth. The original lake extended 1.6 km above the landslip. By the 8th August 1952 water began to spill over the landslip back down the river again. However on the 5th August 1953, following heavy rain, the top 26 metres of the landslide broke and sent a wall of water down the East Barwon Valley carrying boulders and gravel. It was thought at the time the town of Birregurra could be threatened by flooding. Today the remaining lake is what was left over after the top part of the landslide broke.
Rendezvous was at a place called Forest and we were told to meet by the local pub. No chance of a quick pint mind, as it was closed. 5 Germans were already there waiting for the same excursion and, for some reason, the talk got round to Brexit. They were not best pleased by us Brits voting to leave!!! Anyway, a lot of good-natured banter ensued and then our guide Bruce showed up. Another 10 minutes drive into the heart of the forest, down dirt tracks full of potholes, and we eventually arrived at our destination. Then another 2 km hike before finally reaching the lake. The time now was 7pm, dawn and dusk being the time Platypus usually come out of their burrows to feed.
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| All Germans! |
We did see the Platypuses and as they are shy creatures we had to be ultra quiet. Only 3 were seen and they only stayed on the surface for a short while before diving for their favourite food of worms, insect larvae, freshwater shrimp and the freshwater Yabby. Staying under for about a minute before surfacing again. That's when it's snout or beak comes in handy as it uses this to dig out the food from the lake bed, places the prey into cheek-pouches which are then carried to the surface. Not the best photos as the light was fading fast but so very pleased to have seen them. Honestly didn't hold out much hope and this was one creature high on my 'critters to see' list.
By the time we came off the lake, it was proper dark! Good time to see the glow worms nestled in small crevices in the rocks and shrubs on the route march back. Ian had the presence of mind to bring a small torch, he was the only one to have done so. Even Bruce didn't bring one. Got back to the meeting place by the pub and parted company with a small fortune which we paid to our guide but it was so worth it and one trip I would recommend.
It was as we did the 40 km back to the van that we met up with another unexpected critter.
It's a good job the roads are so quiet. We managed to shoo it to the side and then drove slowly past. What the outcome was....well I can only hope a good one. We have seen too many dead animals on the side of the road. Didn't want this Koala to be another.
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