We arrived back in Mandurah mid-evening on Tuesday but before turning in we watched some DVD episodes of Doc Martin, a favourite of Lesley and Bob, but particularly Bob. A shot of Jamieson's Irish Whisky provided a comforting nightcap, a ritual that we had acquired and enjoyed on out Rhine-Main-Danube cruise earlier this year!
After a busy day on Tuesday, we began the morning in a more relaxed way. It had also been raining and blowing hard overnight and although the sun was trying to break through it was grey overhead with a sharp, cool breeze. The plan today was to first visit Penguin Island which, as it names suggests is the breeding ground for the Little Penguin (A display at Taronga Zoo showed that in total there are 17 species of Penguins) and if possible, take the ferry over to the island. If that proved impossible, we would go on to Rockingham for a walk before aiming for a Fish Supper at The Cray Restaurant Rockingham.
As we set off late morning the sky had lightened and by the time we reached Penguin Island it was sunny but with a cool, strong breeze blowing and a choppy sea. The Visitor Information Centre soon confirmed that the ferry was no running because of the weather and a sign at the end of the jetty announced anyway, that the island is closed during the winter month, from June to September, as this is the breeding time for the penguins.
So, no Penguins today.
Penguin Island is a 31-acre island off the coast near Perth, near, the coastal town of Shoalwater, south of Freemantle. It was found to be home to a colony of 120 little penguins in 2024 but climate change and prey depletion continue to affect the viability of the colony and consideration is being given to extending the closed season.
The Little Penguin is a species originating in New Zealand. They are commonly known as Fairy Penguins, Little Blue Penguins, or Blue Penguins, owing to their slate-blue plumage and are also known by their Māori name kororā.
You may recall that I went on a cruise in NZ from Akaroa (South Island) in search of one of the smallest species of Dolphins and Blue Penguins. The photos of the penguins in the water are indistinct but I attached a photo of a stuffed blue penguin that was displayed on the cruise boat, and I attach it again here!! I have some video of Blue Penguins that I took at Taronga Zoo but I haven't yet down loaded that footage.
Having drawn a blank at Penguin Island we headed a few miles further north to Rockingham.
