WHERE THE wild things are

A visit to Wolgan Valley is like heading on an Australian safari, writes JOANNA HUNKIN, with wombats in place of lions. Now, chef James Viles is creating a culinary experience to pair with the unique encounter.

- KONRAD KASISKE

There is a wombat asleep on our front lawn. At least, it could be a wombat. Or perhaps a rock. Closer investigation is required.

As we creep silently closer and peer into the shadows of the undergrowth, the rock snuffles. It’s a wombat!

There is perhaps nowhere else in the world you can play the game Rock or Wombat – certainly not with any real sense of anticipation – than Wolgan Valley, where two out of three games will result in the joyful delight of realising the static mound in distance is, in fact, a wombat.

The Blue Mountains resort and conservation park – officially called Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley – is home to the highest density wombat population in Australia. It’s the Manhattan of the wombat world, with an estimated 300 wombats residing across the 7000-acre property.

They waddle happily amongst mobs of Eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies that litter the property, making themselves at home wherever they please. The boldest sunbathe in between the property’s private villas, bounding across walkways with total disregard for human traffic. It pays to keep your wits about you.

As you venture further from the main homestead, their numbers grow. You’ll come across the brute loners that are black wallaroos, and watch as alpha males stare each other down, surrounded by harems of female roos. You’ll see joeys peering out of their mother’s pouches, unperturbed by the endless cooing and click of cameras from onlookers.