If you want to see a Wombat in the wild head to this spot, you will not be disappointed.
It's free
Bendeela Reserve is a free camp ground, nestled in the foothills of Kangaroo Valley, in Australia. It is home to a large colony of wild wombats. For those traveling on a budget, this place is a winner. It is only a short drive to pick up supplies from the main Kangaroo Valley township. Tranquil and picturesque Bendeela Reserve is worlds away from the bustling city but only two hours drive south of Sydney. Camping here will cost you nothing and there is even flushing toilets and running water.
This spot is popular with kayakers, bushwalkers and bird watches. Despite the name Kangaroo Valley, the real highlight is the resident wombats. Of course you are bound to see Kangaroos too! Wombats are one of Australia's iconic native animals. Driving up to the campgrounds at dusk, wombats can be seen casually wandering around the grassy flats.
When we first arrived, I was that excited to see one wombat. I pulled over and took a hundred photographs. Before we made it to our camp site I had seen over thirty of them. By the end of our one week stay, I had seen enough wombats to last a lifetime! The whole reserve is home to a few hundred wombats.
A Bump In The Night
Wombats are nocturnal animals. So if you really want to see them in their natural element, grab a torch and go for a night wander.
A word of warning: once you are snuggled up in your camper van for the night, do not be alarmed if your van starts to violently shake. These cheeky animals love to get under you car and help themselves to a good old fashioned back scratch. Better you know this before hand, as the first time this happened to me, let's just say I was imagining Jurassic Park scenarios.
A Magical Place For Hobbits Or Wombats
Kangaroo Valley is magical. Shrouded in mist, an early morning walk down by to the river looks like a scene out of Lord Of The Rings. Wombat burrows dot the landscape with some looking like tiny hobbit homes. This place is awesome to explore with beautiful large looming trees and well defined wombat tracks. Hold back that urge to look inside a burrow. A wombats defense mechanism (used mostly against foxes) is to smash their rear end upwards breaking a neck with the force of their muscles pushed against the hard earthen burrow walls. Wombats look chubby and cuddly but they are strong muscular beasts, not to be messed with. To that end, be careful while driving through Kangaroo Valley, hitting a wombat could easily write off a car.
Wombats have been living here in Bendeela Reserve sharing this space with campers for well over 30 years. The wombats for the most part are friendly, unconcerned by human activity. They are happy for you to wander around as they go about their business. Be respectful, this is their home and a true wildlife asset for Australia.
With a bit of love and care this spot can stay this way for generations to come.
Until next time
xx Isabella