Dingoes are Australia’s wild dogs, and it’s just as hard to imagine the native Australian bush lacking these tawny canines as it is to imagine it without koala bears or kangaroos. A medium-sized dog, the dingo belongs to a primitive variety of canines that breed only once a year. Puppies are born in the spring, usually in litters of three to five. You’ll rarely hear a dingo bark, but they do make many different kinds of vocalizations. In some ways they are more like cats than dogs in that they are extremely agile, enjoy viewing their surroundings from a high vantage point, and will use their paws almost like hands. Although primarily carnivorous, dingoes will also eat insects and plants when the need arises.
A great place to view these magical creatures is at the Dingo Sanctuary at Bargo, just outside of Sydney. Run by the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society, this sanctuary is home to over forty dingoes. The Society works to protect the dingo in the wild and is also working on a DNA test to help distinguish true dingoes from similar looking mix breeds and hybrids.
The facility welcomes visitors, but does require that you contact them ahead of time to arrange a guided tour. Helpful tour guides show you around the property, introduce you to the dingoes, answer any questions you might have, and can also arrange a video presentation as well. The grounds are a beautiful example of natural Australian fauna, and provide a lovely, natural home for the dogs. All trails are flat and easily accessible for those with limited mobility. A shop is available for souvenirs and cold drinks, and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch – gas barbecues are provided.
For those that would like to take a dingo home with them, the Society offers dingo sponsorships where donors can sponsor a particular animal and receive regular updates on their animal’s activities.
As a way to get to know a new country, a road trip really can’t be beat. What other form of travel allows you to so intimately explore the little towns and get to know the people along your route? Among Australia’s many fantastic scenic drives is the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, a fourteen hour tour along Australia’s southern coast.
The first leg of the journey goes from Sydney to Jervis Bay. The road here follows high cliffs overlooking the ocean and provides stunning scenery. In Jervis Bay enjoy the pristine beaches and take advantage of the ample sea life by taking a dolphin-watching cruise. Next, travel to the town of Mallacoota. Along the way, you’ll want to stop in the village of Central Tilba to shop for wine, food, and local arts and crafts. In Narooma be sure to check out the Montague Island Nature Reserve, where fur seals, dolphins, turtles, and penguins are a common sight. If antique shops and art galleries are for you, then be sure to stop in Berry for some shopping. Eden was once Australia’s whaling capital, and killer whales can often still be seen here. Visit the Killer Whale Museum to discover more about these incredible creatures.
From Mallacoota, head to Wilson’s Promontory, the southernmost point of Australia’s mainland. On this part of the trip you’ll pass Ninety Mile Beach and the town of Lakes Entrance, where local restaurants serve up delicious seafood. Wilson’s Promontory is a beautiful national park that encompasses sandy beaches, eucalyptus forests, and granite mountains. The final portion of the trip will take you through the delightful Phillip Island where you can easily view fur seals, koalas, and the penguins that make a nightly trek up the beach. It is a short drive from Phillip Island to Melbourne, where the coastal drive ends and big city fun begins.
When you think of Sydney what usually comes to mind is the famous Opera House, and perhaps the Harbour Bridge. Most tourists make sure to stop at these two landmarks, but did you know that both are located in Sydney Harbour which is actually a national park? Created in 1975, the park includes Goat, Clark, Rodd, and Shark Islands, and also the historic Fort Denison.
The harbour is an active and busy area with lots to see. The Royal Botanic Gardens contain thirty hectares of both native and exotic plants. Harbourside dining allows for delicious Australian cuisine to be enjoyed with a spectacular view. For those who wish to explore the natural areas around the Harbour, several scenic walks can be taken to explore the eucalyptus forests and heathlands. There are also several rather secluded beaches in the area as well, with two allowing nude sunbathing.
Of course a trip to the area would not be complete without a harbour cruise, whether by kayak, ferry, or chartered yacht. Dolphins and whales are not unusual visitors to the harbour, and this is the only way to take advantage what the local islands have to offer. The Manly Ferry is a very affordable way to enjoy a harbour tour, and can be boarded at Circular Quay.
Fort Denison, an important historic site, can only be visited by ferry tour. An Aboriginal fishing place, the island was first used by European settlers as a sort of jail for convicts committing secondary crimes. They would be chained to the island and fed bread and water, creating its nickname of “Pinchgut.” A tower was erected in 1857 to allow for better after two American ships invaded the harbour in the blackness of night several years earlier. Today, the fort operates as a Harbour Navigation Facility, and also a museum.
