Our reason for detouring through Rockingham was a small island off the coast called Penguin Island... and you've guessed it... the island is home to a colony of fairy blue penguins. Not only that, but it's an "A-class" bird sanctuary that's home to a variety of other birds including a large breeding group of pelicans and billions of nesting gray seagulls. We saw lizards, sea gull eggs and loads of animal behavior straight from some BBC nature program! But, of course, the big highlight was the penguins. We felt very fortunate to actually see wild penguins in their natural habitat as, apparently, most visible activity of these private creatures is in the evenings/nights due to their tendency to spend their days fishing at sea. They are such cute and cuddly little guys... this type being the smallest of all penguin breeds.

We also learned a lot at the penguin discovery center which homes 9 injured penguins. Even in captivity penguins partner off -- "Piggy and Jerry" had a long term partnership going although we learned that it's a common myth that penguins partner for life. Like humans there is about a 50% divorce rate -- especially if the pair are unable to raise chicks to maturity. It was a good day out... the one thing we would've changed if we could is that there is a sandbar that can be walked across from the mainland to the island. The walk looked like good fun, but we'd already purchased our (overpriced) ferry tickets before we'd figured out the alternative option.

From here, we head south to Bunbury where we will celebrate Anzac day and hopefully be able to interact with wild dolphins!!