we-on-Kangaroo Island, in Adelaide & Wine, Wine, Wine!

Koalas to cuddle, curious dolphins, breathtaking beaches, and great wine, that's how we can describe our last two weeks in Australia.

After completing the Great Ocean Road and surviving the outskirts of a cyclone, we made our way to the beautiful Kangaroo Island. On the ferry, we played a game of Tetris to carefully park our car and hoped that the truck behind us would stay in place and not crush our little home.

Arriving on the island... just WOW... where do we even begin?!

First evening and arrival, getting up close with koalas. Directly from our camping spot, we watched the koalas slowly wake up and search for a new spot to eat and sleep, wandering around our camper. In the evening, we listened to a roaring koala as he communicated with his koala friends.

Second day, a long hike through the national park to see the platypus (cute little creatures with a beak). Oh, and the omnipresent kangaroos, hopping or in a relaxed waiting pose (look at that casual gaze :D).

I, Wendelin, went jogging here and ended up running with numerous kangaroos on a huge meadow at twilight. But it does make you a little nervous when a male kangaroo, with a height of 2 meters and biceps like Arnold Schwarzenegger, stands in front of you. Well, I'm not a boxer after all.

Third day, off to the coast and beautiful beaches and rock formations, shaped by the sea, rain, and time. And everywhere, lazy (and smelly) sea lions and seals basking in the sun. The expert knows that the great white shark is not far away when such a feast occasionally jumps into the water to swim.

On the last day, we found the ultimate camping spot right by the sea - with a delicious, typical German snack and a dreamy sunset. The next morning, it got even better: The first thing we saw when we opened our eyes and the back door was... a huge school of dolphins swimming in the bay, hunting for fish. We didn't hesitate to grab our snorkels and jump into the water.

And indeed... these animals were so incredibly curious that they stayed in the same spot for a long time and played with us. The feeling of being surrounded, under, over, and next to dolphins (including many calves) riding a wave and trying to push you along is indescribable and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

After this wonderful time on Kangaroo Island, we headed back to the mainland and to Adelaide with healed and fulfilled souls. On the ferry, we met some Australians who invited us to their barbecue party the next day, which turned out to be a very fun evening.

Adelaide and its surroundings can be described briefly: A cozy small town with delicious food and great bars, surrounded by idyllic vineyards in beautiful valleys.

On the first day, we cycled through the Clare Valley on the Riesling Trail, going from winery to winery - or rather, flying at the end. However, the namesake of the trail - the Riesling - was not quite like what we know from home and somehow not as good. The following day, our search for the best wine continued in the Barossa Valley, and we ended up in Hahndorf. It's a - more or less - attempt to imitate a German village. Just the way the world imagines Germany: schnitzel, sausage, beer, and cuckoo clocks ;)

We spent our last days in Australia in Adelaide, enjoying good food and a few (maybe a bit too many) drinks. The highlights were the many hidden bars that are actually quite hard to find without some tips (sometimes hidden behind a brick wall or an inconspicuous wooden door with no hint whatsoever).

... and of course, lots of beach time and tubing in the waves.

Goodbye, Australia... Hello, New Zealand....

PS.: 3 months have just flown by... 3 months in our yogurt cup called camper. We have covered an incredible 17,000 km along the west and east coasts, as well as the southern part of Australia, creating memories for a lifetime.