Our Mates |
 |
|
Our Mates |
|
| Meet some of the mates we have made on our treks
through some of the most rugged, life-infested terrain in Australia. You
might not think all of them are 'nice' - many people are horrified by snakes
or spiders - but as the guy said, "We's all God' chillun". Some
of these creatures might not think too much of you, either.
Learn about them before you decide to dislike or like them! Respect the ones that are potentially dangerous, but don't be afraid of them. Don't be stupid and you will be quite safe. |
 |
Kangaroos are of course Australia's best-known icon. They range in size from the big Reds of the Outback to various tiny wallabies of the rocky hills and rainforests. On your trek through the Waterfall Gorges you will meet several different species; the largest is the Walleroo, a stocky dark-furred animal that grows to about two metres in height. |
| The echidna is a small animal like a hedgehog that eats ants. He is shy and slow-moving and is usually found on forest floors or in open bushland, pottering around looking for lunch or dinner. |
 |
Kookaburra is also called the Laughing Jackass - you will know why when you first hear him! He is a medium-sized bird with a very strong bite - he is a Kingfisher who lives on fish, frogs and snakes. He is also know to raid sausages from barbeques. |
| The red-bellied black snake is considered harmless despite having a venomous bite. You will find him lying across your path, looking at you wondering what you are going to do next. Don't approach him; get a long stick and gently lift him well out of your path - he'll run away once given the hint. Don't harm him - he's a territorial snake that chases the dangerous tiger and brown snakes away. |  |
 |
Whitetail is a spider to avoid - he has a quite distinct white spot at the end of his wedge-shaped abdomen, and also has white rings on the main joints of his front legs. His bite carries a venom which is not lethal, but because it also carries bacteria the bite used to suppurate for a long time and cause a sizeable necrotic patch around the bite area. We now know that aloe vera applied to the bite will clear it up within days. Tea-tree oil is also good for the bite of the whitetail spider. |
Waterfall Gorges Adventure Holidays
Swim-Two-Birds
Boorolong NSW 2350
Australia
Phone : (International) +61 2 6775 5287
(In Australia) 02 6775 5287
Fax : (International) +61 2 6775 5283
(In Australia) 02 6775 5283
swimtwobirds@hotmail.com
Your adventure starts now!
Working with the Commonwealth and State Authorities for National
Parks and Wildlife,
State Forests, Department of the Environment and others.
