We are expecting rain over the next few days, so it's all canvas out - even the long wall, with Nate set up in his Swag under the awning extension.
We're set up at Aspen Holiday Park at Barlings Beach, which is just east of the small village of Tomakin, and about 20km south of Batemans Bay. Damian and family are in a cabin, so at least they will be dry.
Nice pool at the Caravan Park, which the kids made use of when it wasn't raining and a lovely beach, which we would have made better use of in sunnier times. An interesting rocky island (Barlings Island) jsu offshore, which no doubt is accessible on low tide, but not for us at the moment. The island is a significant site for local Aboriginal culture, as is Barlings Beach, with historical evidence of middens and stone artefacts dating back 3,000 years.
A few trips into Batemans Bay over the next few days and a couple of nights out to Club Malua for dinner, but the highlight of our visit to this part of the world would have to be Mogo Wildlife Park. Put it on your bucket list.
This is a pretty amazing spot, housing many of the world's endangered and curious species – binturongs, hyenas, lions, tigers, silvery gibbons, white rhinoceros, red pandas, to name a few. And their enclosures are pretty good too, nothing like the cages of years gone by.
Most of the animals are part of programs dedicated to protecting their species. Mogo cares for over 300 animals, safeguarding their populations against habitat destruction in their native habitats around the world. An example, fewer than 2000 Silvery Gibbons are left in the wild - in their native homes in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, and yet, Mogo has a thriving colony that welcomes new gibbons most years.
Mogo is heavily involved in international, regional, and global breeding programs for endangered species. Recent successes include the Rothschild Giraffe, Sumatran Tiger, Lion, Silvery Gibbon, Cotton-Top Tamarin, Golden-Lion Tamarin, Siamang, Pygmy Marmoset, Red Panda, and Zebra.
As you can probably tell, we were impressed.
