Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Sandy Goddard
the winding Glenelg River
I wasn’t sure when I set out if I was going to do the whole walk, but now that I’m
here, I just want to keep going. I feel like I’m connecting with nature; walking,
sleeping and waking with it all around me. And as I blend into the natural world
around me, I become more aware of the animals, birds and insects everywhere; this
walk is famous for its wildlife and I’m seeing dozens of emus and countless
wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas and koalas, and none of them seem worried by my
presence. And the shuffling and hooting of possums and owls are guaranteed
night-time sound effects. I even start to feel a bit like an animal myself, moving
quietly through the bush, sneaking up on fellow creatures to see how close I can
get to them.
Soon I find myself alongside the serenity of the wide Glenelg River as it winds its
way through gleaming limestone cliffs and enormous gorges. I’m having trouble
keeping up with the birdwatching – so many sounds and sightings…wrens, robins,
ducks, egrets, wedge-tailed eagles, friendly bristlebirds, and a rare sighting of the
endangered red-tailed black cockatoo, to name just a few. I’m not keeping count
but I’ve heard that serious birdwatchers have noted 110 different bird species along
this walk.