Although I live in Adelaide, South Australia (an excellent staging post for the outback) my sister and I share a remote off grid home and land in the Riverland. It’s now 2022 and we have had this 1500-hectare Mallee bushland property for well over 20 years. We share it with the many native creatures who find refuge here in this area which we have now had fully Heritage listed to ensure it remains pristine.

The property itself is quite beautiful with its scrub, sand dunes, spinifex and native grasses particularly during the winter months. Summer can be parched with temperatures reaching 45deg C.

Wildlife includes (amongst others) Kangaroos, Emus, Monitors and other Lizards, Snakes, Spiders, Centipedes, etc etc Just your regular bushland wildlife. Of course, some are more of a challenge than others. For example, large male Kangaroos hit over 8 feet tall, and the Emus are equally daunting if one is challenged by a group.

We live with venomous snakes around us but just keep an eye out to ensure they are provided right of way. Indeed, their presence never causes anxiety, but we do wear gaiters walking our trails when vegetation is high as they can be found curled up in front of one’s footfall.

Being a larger property, we have constructed three walking trails with the help of painted cans attached to tree branches. 10kms, 9kms and 7kms. They each provide a different outlook and walking experience. It is not wise to walk without some marker though as it’s easy to get lost.

We provide water to our wildlife who visit those outlets at all hours of the day and night. Generally the birds have their way during the day and the animals and other creatures at night. Coming across a group of Emus requires some back peddling if there is a father who is caring for his chicks.

Kangaroos visit at all hours but sometimes find other creatures such as Echidnas in their water bowl. Patience….

Bird life is extensive and includes masses of Ravens, Choughs, Magpies, Galahs, Doves, Parrots and many smaller Honey Eaters, Wrens, Pardalotes etc. The more recent regular addition of Goshawks has been most interesting.

There is much beauty in these Mallee regions and my sister and I believe it is important to ensure large tracks of native vegetation continue to exist as a haven to all creatures (including us).

Well, its now August 2023 and we have been blessed to see new life arrive at our property. How special.

Of course not all of these little ones will survive as there are predators around, still we hope a few will make old bones.

Interestingly the Goshawk was recently joined by another at the water point, and it may well be that this is a new edition to the family…nice!