Bordertown South Australia is in the middle of good country or the Tatiara region. Settled in the mid 19th century it was a stopping point to water horses on the ninety mile escort route from the gold fields around Castlemaine to Adelaide. Among the attractions in this quiet town is the Bordertown Wildlife Park with its red, grey and western grey kangaroos and a very special strain of white kangaroos. Sundowner Bordertown Motel is the ideal hotel in Bordertown to stopover on the long tiring road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne.
Although the wildlife park took shape in 1968 it was in 1980 that it started to be the town’s major attraction. Almost everyone making their way south via the Dukes Highway started stopping by the 4.5 ha park in Bodertown to take a look at its newest addition, a white kangaroo. This animal was apparently not the albino version of the grey kangaroos but a genetic variation of the same breed. The male white kangaroo was used in a selective breeding experiment that produced the first white Joey in 1984 and a second two years later. The breeding experiment was so successful that seventy kangaroos with distinct white coats were produced of which seventeen still remain in the park. Although there are other kangaroos, wallabies, emu and quite a few endemic bird species, the park’s star attraction is the white kangaroos. In order not to disturb its precious wildlife, the park does not entertain visitors within it but they are welcome to take a look at the white kangaroos going about their daily business from outside an enclosing fence. No feeding is allowed as their diet is carefully monitored. According to a popular fable white kangaroos are supposed to help Santa carry his gifts each December on the Australian leg of his journey around the globe. Guests at Sundowner Motel Bodertown can enjoy comfortable accommodation, a full service restaurant and easy access to the town’s attractions.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
