Pelicans at Mallacoota
Australian Pelican, Mallacoota, Victoria
On our evening walk around Mallacoota we saw several Australian Pelicans cruising around near the jetty. They seemed to be quite unafraid of humans.
Several fishermen were cleaning their catch nearby, so I guess they have become used to having leftovers thrown at them from the fishermen and so they hang around for a free handout.
It was just on sunset, and the last soft rays of the setting sun lit up these beautiful birds to show off their lovely markings.
Australian Pelican, Mallacoota, Victoria
Birds of Mallacoota, Victoria
Bird life, Mallacoota, Victoria
On our walk around Mallacoota we followed the edge of the estuary. In the inlet and on sand bars and small islands we could see many water birds. I was kept busy taking photos, checking them out through my binoculars and jotting down the species’ names in my notebook. During our stay of about 18 hours I made quite a healthy list, mostly water birds. A stay of a week or more would undoubtedly add considerably to this list.
In the photo above I have captured Australian Pelicans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, cormorants (not sure but probably Little Black) and Silver Gulls.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
The photos above and below show the numerous Black Swans feeding in the shallows of the estuary.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
A walk around Mallacoota, Victoria
Caravan Park, Mallacoota, Victoria
After a long day of travelling we finally arrived at Mallacoota in Victoria. We had never been here before and were delighted with what we saw. The downside was that we only had one night here.
We booked into the local motel and then tidied up ready for dinner in the hotel dining room. The seafood was delicious, which I expected, seeing it is primarily a fishing town.
After dinner we decided to walk off our wonderful meal. Our daughter, a much faster walker than us, took her own route. We strolled down to the estuary and walked along the foreshore. At one stage in our walk we sat on a picnic seat on the point overlooking the inlet. Quite beautiful on a calm, warm summer’s evening after the sun had set.
Cruise boat, Mallacoota, Victoria
We are determined to return here sometime in the future with our caravan. It is the kind of place you could gainfully stay a week or two, especially in the off season. Being the week after New Year, the foreshore was packed tightly with tents, caravans and boats. The picture above shows it well. Far too crowded for my liking.
There are many walks and drives in the area with a significant National Park to the east. There are several cruise boats like the one above as well. Taking a cruise up the river would be high on my list of things to do.
Eden, south coast of New South Wales
Eden, south coast of New South Wales
As we travelled south that afternoon we passed through many lovely areas and some beautiful towns. This part of the journey was new territory to us. We had seen the coast further south west in Victoria and to the north in NSW, but had never visited the stretch of coastline between Bermagui and Mallacoota.
Superb Fairy-wren, Eden, south coast of New South Wales
When it came time for afternoon tea we aimed for the lovely town of Eden. We drove down to the bay and found a suitable picnic seat overlooking the magnificent bay. The beach was quite crowded with people from the caravan park walking distance away. It was a very relaxing break from driving.
While we had our cuppa a family of Superb Fairy-wrens decided to join us. The male put on quite a show for us in the nearby bushes, posing nicely for my camera.
Eden, south coast of New South Wales
Mimosa Rocks National Park, New South Wales
1 Comment »25th September, 2009; Category: Beaches, Birds, Holidays, National Parks, New South Wales
Mimosa Rocks National Park, south coast NSW
One of the places I wanted to revisit on our drive south along the coast of New South Wales was Mimosa Rocks National Park. The last time we had been there was in 1981 which was getting on for 30 years ago. Too long, in fact.
I had vivid memories of what it looked like but obviously the years had blurred the image. It was nothing like I remembered! In fact, I think we went to a different part of the park this time. The access roads may well have changed in that time too.
Again, we didn’t have much time to explore the park. We had a quick lunch and a look at the beautiful beach and then off again on our trek south.
The only birds of interest were three Pied Oystercatchers patrolling the beach.
Pied Oystercatchers, Mimosa Rocks National Park
Mimosa Rocks National Park, south coast NSW