Koala Encounter
Trip Start
Mar 14, 2006
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Trip End
Mar 15, 2007
Magnetic Island,
Queensland,
Australia
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The excuse for this was to do the sensible thing and wait for the afternoon heat to die down somewhat before venturing out on one of the many walks around the island and I hate to argue with recommended medical advice.
The Magnums hostel here was certainly well equipped for just such lounging around resembling more of a beach resort than the usual backpacker's digs although I suppose it kinda has to be given how little else in the way of built up areas/entertainment there is on the island. Just the way it should be.
With the sun slightly lower in the sky I ventured out on a walk to the forts area to the north of the island being given a great view of the Arcadia bay area where I'd based myself right from the start. The long-ish walk was hot and dusty and as I approached the forts themselves (abandoned WWII lookouts) I began to keep an eye out for Koalas with Magnetic Island apparently being one of the best places to spot them in the wild. Looking for a grey bundle up in the eucalyptus trees where they usually hang out it was a couple of people further ahead that first alerted me to one with a mother and baby Koala looking about as active as I was earlier in the day. But so very cute.
The furry marsupials spend the majority of the day asleep due to their diet of eucalyptus leaves which provide little nutritional value and are actually poisonous to most other animals making you wonder why the heck they don't try something else to eat for a change. But being so cute I'll let them off.
Three or so hours later I wandered back to the hostel joining 4 other English guys staying in the dorm for dinner with them mixing up the order so getting another free steak dinner to share between us as we listened to a non too bad little band getting requests for mainly obscure Aussie songs lost on any of us but well performed all the same.
