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@ Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide
Mirabilis begins her walkabout in South Australia!
Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide
Remarkable Rocks are a cluster of precariously balanced granite boulders perched above the sea in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide. This stunning work of nature has been shaped by the erosive forces of wind, sea spray, and rain. Are there kangaroos there? Yes, of course, as well as other wildlife such as penguins and seals.

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@ G'Day Sunshine, Adelaide

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

G'Day Sunshine, Adelaide
G'day sunshine indeed! It's definitely a good day when the sun pleasantly warms the atmosphere and brings a beautiful green oasis to life in this park in Adelaide.

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@ WOMADelaide Music Festival, Adelaide
"What linked Adelaide to London, UK, towards the end of the 19th century, Mirabilis?"
"I dunno -- opal exports?"
"It was the first Australian capital city to be linked by telegraph to London, back in 1872," responded Unitee.
WOMADelaide Music Festival, Adelaide
This unique Australian festival has been held on the traditional lands of the Kaurna People since 1992. WOMADelaide – (World Of Music Arts & Dance) is an iconic open-air festival celebrating cultural discovery in the heart of Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla. The annual festival showcases the best, the essential – and the surprising – in music, arts, and dance.

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@ Elder Park Rotunda, Adelaide
"What linked Adelaide to London, UK, towards the end of the 19th century, Mirabilis?"
"I dunno -- opal exports?"
"It was the first Australian capital city to be linked by telegraph to London, back in 1872," responded Firefly.
Elder Park Rotunda, Adelaide
Elder Park Rotunda, named after its designer and benefactor, Sir Thomas Elder. He wrote from Scotland in 1881 that a rotunda was being fabricated in Glasgow at his expense to be a place of recreation for the people of the Colony on the banks of the River Torrens. The rotunda is a 24 feet in diameter octagonal structure with a domed cupola and bold finials with cast-iron railings. The approaching steps are made of granite. It was shipped from Great Britain in 1882 and the rotunda was officially opened later that year on November 28, 1882.

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@ Adelaide Park Bench
"It's almost a different language here sometimes, isn't it, Abby?
"You're telling me, Mirabilis! I was telling a local pet earlier that we'd all brought our swimming trunks, swimming togs or cossies, and he said they're called bathers in this State!"
Adelaide Park Bench
A classic wooden park bench is perfectly placed under a large shade tree, waiting for a pet needing a short rest to stroll by.

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@ Water Fountain, Adelaide Botanical Park
"So, Mirabilis, what was unusual about the old fossil found by a geology doctor in the Flinders Ranges?"
"I don't know, Snipsnap. It wasn't Edgar, was it?"
Snipsnap frowned. "Don't be unkind, Mirabilis! It was the oldest complex life ever found on earth, dating back some 600 million years, and the discovery resulted in the creation of the Ediacaran Period, the first new geological period to be created in over a hundred and twenty years!"
Water Fountain, Adelaide Botanical Park
One of the favorite watering holes for all of our feathered friends down-under, as well as any other thirsty critter nearby. Also, doubles as a bird bath, but no complaints as to the cleanliness of the water after the bathers have finished have ever been reported.

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@ Adelaide Festival Centre
Did you know the Nullarbor Plain is crossed by the longest, straightest and flattest road in Australia, that follows the world's longest line of sea cliffs, Mirabilis?
Adelaide Festival Centre
Bathed in an array of blue lights, the buildings of Adelaide's festival centre are just as interesting and appealing as the events going on within them.

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@ Morialta Conservation Park, Adelaide
"I asked our tour guide what the bird on the South Australian flag was, jonny. Oh gosh, what a can of worms!"
"How so, Mirabilis?"
"There's been confusion about it ever since the design was launched. The bird was given its vernacular name by the governor, piping shrike, rather than its official name, the Australian magpie."
Morialta Conservation Park, Adelaide
An inviting watering hole for many kinds of wildlife lies beneath the verdant canopy of the trees above. Morialta Conservation Park has many perfect quiet relaxing spots like this one to get away from the noisiness of the city.

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@ Red Bottle Brush Flowers, Adelaide Park
"We'll be going past the Great Australian Bight this afternoon, Mirabilis. That's a bay with coasts lined with 200-ft cliffs, surfing beaches and rock platforms ideal for whale watching!" announced Choose a name.
"Sounds fun!"
Red Bottle Brush Flowers, Adelaide Park
Red bottle brush flowers' scientific name actually describes the plant's flowering habit! "Callistemon Prolific" flowers... prolifically! Its clusters of red bottlebrush flowers hang from weeping stems, and will be abuzz in spring and summer with beneficial pollinators. Great for the beginning gardener down-under, it grows in soils that are clay or sand, acid or alkaline, dry or wet, at the southern coast or subtropical hinterland.

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@ Red-Necked Stints
"So, Mirabilis, what was unusual about the old fossil found by a geology doctor in the Flinders Ranges?"
"I don't know, Sunny. It wasn't Edgar, was it?"
Sunny frowned. "Don't be unkind, Mirabilis! It was the oldest complex life ever found on earth, dating back some 600 million years, and the discovery resulted in the creation of the Ediacaran Period, the first new geological period to be created in over a hundred and twenty years!"
Red-Necked Stints
Red-necked stints are one of the smallest wading birds, only 5.1-6.7 inches in length. They are very gregarious birds and will form flocks with other small wading birds.

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@ Cricket Ball
"What happens at Lake Eyre when it completely dries up, Sebastian?"
"I've no idea, Mirabilis -- do they play golf in it?"
"Nope -- due to its size, it has been used as the site of many land speed record attempts!"
Cricket Ball
A bright red cricket ball sits in the grass awaiting a game. Cricket balls are similar to baseballs in size and weight and are batted around a field, however, gameplay and scoring are very different from baseball. Cricket is played primarily in South Asia, Australasia, the United Kingdom, Southern Africa, and the West Indies.

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@ Flag of Australia Painted on Brick
Adelaide is often called the City of Churches. It’s not because there are a lot of churches (although it does have a lot!) it’s because right from the start there was freedom of religion and so there were many different places of worship including churches, mosques, synagogues and temples.
Flag of Australia Painted on Brick
A painted-on flag of Australia adorns a brick building in "Anytown, Australia."

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@ Aboriginal Didgeridoo
"What linked Adelaide to London, UK, towards the end of the 19th century, Mirabilis?"
"I dunno -- opal exports?"
"It was the first Australian capital city to be linked by telegraph to London, back in 1872," responded Innes.
Aboriginal Didgeridoo
Oh if only this photo had audio embedded within it, then you could hear what this traditional Aboriginal didgeridoo sounds like!

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@ Emo Park, Adelaide
"Does it ever snow in this State, Mirabilis?" queried Camo.
"Almost never, apparently. And if, every other year or so, there is a very light sprinkle, it becomes headline news!
Emo Park, Adelaide
I'd hate to see the creature that lost this flip-flop! You never know what you'll find in a park in Adelaide. Come to Emo park and see for yourself.

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@ Pavlova with Mango and Passion Fruit Topping
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Pavlova with Mango and Passion Fruit Topping
Pavlova is an extremely popular dessert for Australians on Christmas Day. The creation of a pavlova dessert (a large meringue nest topped with lots of whipped cream topped with fruit) is credited either to Australia or New Zealand. It is a hotly disputed point between those two countries!

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@ Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Central Australian Desert
Okay, so The Great Australian Bite isn't a boutique burger, Mirabilis, it's an area where monster waves break against rugged coastal cliffs!
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Central Australian Desert
Australia’s giant Red Monolith - Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) has been permanently closed for trekking by the Australian government, but you can still admire it from a distance. The Anangu Tribe (an aboriginal tribe of Australia) is responsible for the ban, due to the spiritual significance of the site. Uluru is located in the Central Australian desert and it was first declared a national park in 1950 and renamed as Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 1993. It is made up of sandstone and stands 348 meters high and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometers.

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@ King's Canyon, Northern Territory
"South Australia can lay claim to the longest place name in the country, Ughly!"
"Which is what, Mirabilis?"
"Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya Hill."
King's Canyon, Northern Territory
A day trip to scenic King's Canyon begins with breakfast at King's Creek, where you will enjoy the serene water reflections as you dine. Once the meal is complete you embark on the famous Rim Walk. The journey begins at Priscilla's Crack, which introduces you to the stunning Kings Canyon landscape. Marvel at the steep yet flat cliff walls as you work your way to the Lost City and, ultimately, to the serene Garden of Eden, featuring a pond surrounded by vibrant bushes and weathered rocks. The six-kilometer trek usually takes three to four hours to finish, and you have the possibility of seeing over 600 types of plants and animals along the hike! There truly is much beauty to behold here!

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@ Black-faced Wallabies
"Adelaide has a sort of grid of streets, doesn't it, Brandy? Very wide, straight roads."
"Ah, that's because it was a planned city, Mirabilis!"
Black-faced Wallabies
This pair of black-faced wallabies are stopping for a quick snack before heading out on a fun romp in the Australian brush.

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@ Cape Barren Goose
"Adelaide has a sort of grid of streets, doesn't it, Spark? Very wide, straight roads."
"Ah, that's because it was a planned city, Mirabilis!"
Cape Barren Goose
Who says your beak has to match your legs? I don't care what the fashion police say! I'm a cape barren goose and I'm gonna strut my stuff and make a fashion statement!

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@ Rock Wallaby
"What are the dodge tides that only happen here, MK? Does it mean we have to keep out of the sea when they happen?"
"No, you don't need to worry, Mirabilis. A dodge tide is the name given to what is called a neap tide elsewhere. It just means there's no movement or change in height in the water for a period. Adelaide is famous for it. It happens in very few other places."
Rock Wallaby
This orange is not only tasty, it's also very sweet and juicy, making it a perfect snack for rock wallabies like me. I bet you might even like it too!

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@ Australian Aboriginal Art
"What linked Adelaide to London, UK, towards the end of the 19th century, Mirabilis?"
"I dunno—opal exports?"
"It was the first Australian capital city to be linked by telegraph to London, back in 1872," responded Olivia Anna.
Australian Aboriginal Art
If you look closely at this Australian Aboriginal art, both the background and foreground appear to be moving. What a creative design!

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@ Friendly Rainbow Lorikeet
"Do you fancy an edible frog while we're here in South Australia, Mirabilis?!
"Ugh! That's horrible! Absolutely not, Choose a name!"
"Don't worry, Mirabilis, they're frog cakes: two pieces of sponge cake joined by a layer of jam and topped with buttercream. The cake is covered with green fondant icing, with a mouth and two tiny fondant eyes. It is so popular in Adelaide that it's been voted a South Australian Heritage Icon."

Friendly Rainbow Lorikeet
Rainbow lorikeets are medium-sized parrots found throughout many parts of Australia, Their habitat is in the rainforest, bush and woodland areas and they feed on fruits and nectar. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the thousands of wild lorikeets that gather around 8 am and 4 pm each day to be hand-fed by visitors. If you are fortunate enough to have the experience of feeding them, please educate yourself and only feed them the proper nutritional diet that will help them to stay healthy.

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@ Albino Bennetts Wallaby, Tasmania, Australia
"Adelaide has a sort of grid of streets, doesn't it, Finn? Very wide, straight roads."
"Ah, that's because it was a planned city, Mirabilis!"
Albino Bennetts Wallaby, Tasmania, Australia
Well hello, there you cute wallaby. The Albino Bennetts Wallaby is found on Bruny Island, on the southeast coast of Tasmania, Australia. A rare genetic mutation has produced wallabies with white fur and some with pink noses, eyes, and noses of the true albino.

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@ Grevillea Blossom With Caper White Butterfly
"So, Chamomile—what's the most popular soft drink in South Australia?"
"Does it begin with a "C", Mirabilis?"
"If that "C" is for "coffee", then yes, Chamomile! Farmers Union Iced Coffee is a flavoured milk drink that is said to outsell any opposition in the State."
Grevillea Blossom With Caper White Butterfly
A caper white butterfly (belenois java) is just stopping by for a sip of nectar from a grevilea blossom.

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@ White-bellied Sea Eagles
Mirabilis has now completed her walkabout in South Australia! As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!
Parachuting Sugar Glider, Blue
Gliding, going gliding, whee! This new parachute enables me to glide much further than I usually can. I love this feeling of freedom. I just need help attaching it to myself, though it is always more fun to glide with someone else. I like to sprinkle seeds or flower petals when I am in the air. Please join me, and we can make a day of seeing just how far we can glide.

White-bellied Sea Eagles
Two White-bellied Sea Eagles have found the perfect resting spot. Also, from their lofty perch, they can survey the landscape below to see what's on the menu for tonight's supper.
Mirabilis has enjoyed her walkabout in South Australia, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy an Australian Walkabout!