Mallacoota - Part 2

DAY 5 - Tuesday January 24

We finally make it to the information centre and lo-and-behold we are in the middle of one of the most beautiful national parks in Victoria - the Croajingolong National Park (ok - we actually knew that).  We pick up some pamphlets on good walking trails to check out and go for a little hike.

Rusty hiking with her little backpack/leash

In the afternoon we have gotten in the habit of going for a stroll to the shops to pick up a treat or something for dinner.  It's a novelty having a café, grocery store, pharmacy, butcher shop and bakery within a few minutes walk of our location.  There are no weekly meal-planning struggles, or trying to load up the kids in the car to dash out for something.  We just take a pleasant stroll to pick up something for dinner, a coffee and treat, or diapers if we run out.  I could get used to this.


DAY 6 - Wednesday January 25


We head to Betka Beach (we are told that is where the local kids swim) and find such a great spot that we wish we had discovered it days ago.  There is a natural wading pool for Rusty to play in and a surf break for Clark.  We arrive early and set up the peapod for Audrey - she sleeps for most of the morning while we play in the sun.  With no shade to be found it gets pretty hot, pretty quick and by about 11:00am we've had our fill of beach.  We are sweltering and Audrey is making a pool of sweat in her tent.  Despite having full-length UV shirts and sunhats for the kids are worried about their delicate Canadian skin.  So far we've managed to keep them from getting sunburnt.  We look around at the Aussie families who show no signs of breaking camp and feel a little wimpy as we make our way back home.  We think we'd outlast them at -40 though!

Playing at the local swimming hole

Audrey sleeping in her 'pod' at the beach

Clark & Audrey taking a stroll back from the surfbreak

How do I get rid of all this sand?

Because Mallacoota is located in the middle of a National Park it's common to see an array of different wildlife on or near your doorstep.  I can't get over the different types of birds that we see around our cabin - birds that you only find in pet stores in Canada - we see some brilliant Lorikeets that are every color of the rainbow.

Some resident Galah's hanging out near our cabin

During our afternoon stroll (and coincidentally just after we were discussing whether to go about 300 km out of our way to a spot where people commonly see wild kangaroos) a kangaroo (roo) appears out of nowhere and bounces down the pathway right in front of us.  Rusty is beside herself - she points and hollers, and hollers some more.  What is that giant hopping thing?  Then on our way home from the store we see two more roos (we can call them that cause we're almost like locals now) grazing in someone's yard.

"An-ga-roo"

Just one more reason I love Rusty's leash

DAY 7 - Thursday January 26 (Australia Day)

Today marks the 20th day of our Australian adventure.  I am constantly amazed at how easily the girls have adapted to travelling.  It seems that as long as there are some constants (Mommy & Daddy, Puppy & Princess Blanket) than it's OK if everything else is different.  The peapod beds and sleeping bags (thanks Grandpa Jones!) have been great for the transition too.  The girls always have the same bed no matter where we are.  We just put them in their little bags and into their 'pods' and they don't have any more trouble falling or staying asleep then they did back home (which still wasn't ideal!)   We actually have a hard time getting Rusty out of her bag in the morning - I think she would keep it on all day if we let her.

Rusty is thriving in Australia.  She is walking on all kinds of different surfaces that she wouldn't have attempted without holding our hand at the start of our trip (over sand, through water, along trails, up stairs, down stairs) and is learning new words every day.  Today, after we saw the kangaroo she said her 1st three syllable word.  "ang-a-roo" as she pointed and laughed.

Learning an important new word...

Getting the hang of walking on sand

First impressions aside, we've grown to love Mallacoota and are even fond of our little cabin now.  We spend the afternoon back at the beer gardens listening to live music and helping the locals celebrate Australia Day.  On our way home we chuckle at the sign on the beer-and-wine store window (bottle shop) that sums up the attitude of this laid-back little town.

Monday - Friday. Open 8:00am until late.