Despite what you might have heard kangaroos do not run wild in the streets of Perth. We have been here two months now and had never even seen the yellow "look out for kangaroos crossing the street" sign. Davis is pronouncing words with the "r" sound dropped at the end and Vee calls me "mum"; we are becoming way too familiar with this whole Australia thing to NOT have seen a kangaroo- come on!
Determined to view a roo we did some research and chose to visit the John Forrest National Park to go for a hike. The park is big but only about 40km outside of Perth- so a sighting was a bit of a long shot, we were on a mission.
Kirk loves to chat up the park rangers and we always get great information from them, this particular guy gave us the standard map overview and suggested a suitable trail. As we are pulling away from the entry kiosk he gives the kids a wink and says,"You might get lucky and see some kangaroos today! We have a family of them that live behind the tavern." Tavern? Kangaroos? Could there actually be a magical place that mixes wild marsupials with the pleasure and refreshment of cold beer.
Yes, yes there is.
Let me set the scene. It is a crisp cloudless spring day, the sky is a deep cobalt blue and the breeze is blowing so you can just make out the scent of eucalyptus trees. The first wildflowers of the season have begun their show- mixed in the dark greens and silvery leaves are splashes of yellow and vibrant crimson. The birds are everywhere, parrots and cockatoos, mingled with the sounds of kookaburras and mag pies; Blonde plays over the loud speaker.
We are seated on the outside patio of the Wildflower Tavern at a long table shared with another family. We are enjoying one of the 12 local beers on tap. The kids are finishing their ice cream while a mob of kangaroos lounge in the shade FOUR FEET AWAY! There is a bucket of food at the corner of the deck where the kids can feed the kangaroos. Everyone is chatting and laughing and largely acting like everything is normal. Like it's just any other Sunday afternoon enjoying friends in the wilderness with kangaroos and ice cream and a bottle of suds.
We are seated on the outside patio of the Wildflower Tavern at a long table shared with another family. We are enjoying one of the 12 local beers on tap. The kids are finishing their ice cream while a mob of kangaroos lounge in the shade FOUR FEET AWAY! There is a bucket of food at the corner of the deck where the kids can feed the kangaroos. Everyone is chatting and laughing and largely acting like everything is normal. Like it's just any other Sunday afternoon enjoying friends in the wilderness with kangaroos and ice cream and a bottle of suds.
It was bazaar and fantastic and totally awesome in a way that only Australia can be.
And yes, seeing a kangaroo in the wild is incredible- I squealed like a girl and actually shoved my way in front of a child at the self serve kangaroo feeling station eager to get my turn. I'm not proud but I was so excited! They are really cute and very soft; so cute you forget they are wild. Que our exit.
FACT: Kangaroos growl just like dogs. Vee found this out first hand when she tried to hug one. Then we left.
And yes, seeing a kangaroo in the wild is incredible- I squealed like a girl and actually shoved my way in front of a child at the self serve kangaroo feeling station eager to get my turn. I'm not proud but I was so excited! They are really cute and very soft; so cute you forget they are wild. Que our exit.
FACT: Kangaroos growl just like dogs. Vee found this out first hand when she tried to hug one. Then we left.
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