Being among Australia’s ancient creatures
Australia holds a kind of mystery. It breathes age, wildness, and quiet magic. Today, I visited the wildlife sanctuary in Port Douglas – and what I saw there felt like stepping into the heart of this timeless land.
I came face to face with creatures that have inhabited this earth for millions of years. Animals that didn’t just teach me about nature – but reflected something back to me about myself.
🐨 Koala – master of surrender
High up in the eucalyptus tree, he hung like a sleepy bundle of calm. A koala. Barely moving, eyes half-closed, completely at ease.
I learned they sleep 18 to 20 hours a day – their diet of eucalyptus leaves gives them just enough energy to exist, but not to hurry.
And then he opened his eyes. That was magic. I even could come up close to touch his furry hair. He looked at me, briefly. As if saying, “Slow down.” And I did. I stood there, breathing more gently, allowing his stillness to settle into me.
🦘 Kangaroo – softness in motion
In the shade of a tree, a kangaroo hopped towards me. Not wild. Not fearful. Just… curious. His eyes were soft, his tail planted like an anchor. He ate out of my hand very gently.
They can jump up to three metres in distance and two metres high, I was told. And they use their tail as a fifth leg for balance and movement.
But more than the facts, it was the feeling: Power without aggression. Strength without tension. A grounded presence I won’t forget.
🐍 Python – silent and sure
Coiled beneath a bush lay an Australian python. Not venomous, but deeply efficient.
She kills with patience – by constriction – and eats only when needed.
There was no drama, no threat. Just stillness.
She reminded me of something I’ve been learning: to wait. To trust. To know when it’s time to act – and when it’s time to rest.
🐦 Cassowary – gatekeeper of ancient times
And then he appeared. The cassowary. Towering, proud, with his deep blue neck and helmet-like crest. He walked ahead of me like he’d owned the path for centuries. He was 1.60 meters tall.
What I learned was astonishing:
- The cassowary has existed for over 60 million years – older than many dinosaurs.
- He is the third largest bird in the world.
- He defends himself with razor-sharp claws, and a single kick can be fatal.
But I didn’t feel fear. I felt wonder. As if I were witnessing a living relic of time – and he was saying, “I’ve been here long before you. I don’t need to prove anything.”
🐊 Crocodile – ancient power with patience
And then I went up the river with the crocodile guides. They watch them daily and gave their names based upon their looks. Laying still, barely visible between reeds and reflection I saw five saltwater crocodiles.
The facts were as fascinating as the feeling:
- They can reach an age above 80 years old.
- They grow up to 6 metres long.
- Launch themselves vertically out of the water to snatch prey. Within a second they reach 6 meters high.
- Sprint at up to 40 km/h over short distances.
- They hunt in murky waters, like rivers.
- Survive for up to 12 months without almost no food, thanks to their slow metabolism.
- Gain only 20% of their energy from food, and the rest from soaking up the sun.
- Continuously replace their teeth, up to 8,000 times in a lifetime.
And the most striking part? Their intelligence. Crocodiles observe. They remember patterns. They know where people fish. Where they walk. They adapt their hunting strategies accordingly. They are not creatures of impulse. They are strategists. Masters of timing.
🌏 In closing
Watching all these animals I noticed something had shifted in me.
These animals don’t rush. They don’t try to become anything other than what they are. They live by rhythm, instinct, and ancient intelligence. And for a few hours, I was part of that rhythm. Not a human with plans and goals – but a living being among other living beings. Just being. Perhaps that’s what we all need sometimes. To witness what’s wild, wise, and wordless. And to remember we’re still part of it.
My name is Jacqueline Evers from The Netherlands. Solo sailing around the world in my 27 foot sloop. While my husband and son may have chosen a different path, their unwavering support fuels my solo pursuit of this lifelong dream.
Not confined by age or the constraints of conventional life, in my 50s, I bravely departed from the rat race, trading it for the serenity of the open sea. Through my unscripted videos and blogs, I offer a glimpse into the authentic tapestry of my sailing
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