The final day of our Melbourne adventure had arrived, and yet, something felt incomplete. We had wandered through bustling streets, strolled down the hidden laneways, and marveled at the city’s vibrant culture, but one quintessential Australian experience had eluded us: we had not seen a single kangaroo. To visit Australia without encountering its iconic marsupial felt like reading a book with the last chapter missing. Determined to remedy this, Maryam, our gracious host, carved out a sliver of time from her hectic schedule to take us to Leysterfield Park, a sanctuary nestled about 40 minutes outside the city.
As the car rolled away from Melbourne’s neighborhood late that afternoon, the landscape began to shift. The urban sprawl gave way to an endless expanse of open land, a hallmark of Australia’s vastness. The farms stretched wide and unbroken, their fields rolling out like a patchwork quilt under the golden light of the sinking sun. It struck me then how different this country was—how it offered a sense of freedom and space that felt almost otherworldly compared to the crowded cities I had known.
Maryam explained that kangaroos were creatures of habit, emerging only in the late afternoon, just before nightfall. With the sun dipping lower on the horizon, we raced against time, hoping to catch a glimpse of these elusive animals. And then, as if conjured by our determination, they appeared. There they were—kangaroos, hopping gracefully across the grass, their movements both awkward and mesmerizing. They bent their heads to nibble at the ground, their brownish fur catching the fading light. Up close, they were not the majestic creatures I had imagined. Their coats were coarse, their scent pungent, and they seemed almost shy, retreating slightly as we approached. Yet, there was something endearing about their quiet presence, a reminder of the wildness that still thrived in this corner of the world.
The park itself was a revelation. Untouched and pristine, it felt like a sanctuary where nature held sway. As we wandered further, we stumbled upon a hedgehog near the edge of a creek, its tiny form darting through the underbrush. Nearby, the water sparkled under the sun, alive with the laughter of people kayaking and surfing. A beach area beckoned just ahead, where swimmers splashed in the shallows and the rhythmic thud of a lacrosse game echoed through the air. It was a scene of summertime joy, so quintessentially Australian that I couldn’t help but smile.
As the day drew to a close, the sky erupted in a blaze of colors—fiery oranges, deep purples, and soft pinks painting the horizon. Birds soared overhead, their silhouettes stark against the vibrant canvas, chasing some unseen treasure in the heavens. Standing there, watching the sun dip below the earth, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment. This was it—the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey. Australia had given me its wild beauty, its boundless spaces, and, at last, its kangaroos. And as the stars began to peek through the twilight, I knew this memory would stay with me forever.
