The Platypus and the Panda

 

Green Adelaide

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and is known for it's world class food and wine. Adelaide is known as Tarndanya in the Kaurna language of the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land.  It was my first time in Adelaide and I was pleasantly surprised how green and lovely the place was.  Adelaide has been promoting itself as part of the global greener city movement that encourages cities to create more green spaces like public parks, connect people with nature and promote sustainable and counter climate change. Learn more about the Green Adelaide movement here.  A lovely mural located at gate 19 in Adelaide airport promotes Adelaide as a National Park city. The mural was created by Adelaide artist Lucinda Penn (@LCND) and features flora and fauna of Adelaide. 

Platypus in the suburbs

Platypuses are extinct within South Australia, however they are found on Kangaroo Island, an Island South west of Adelaide. There is also a new campaign to re-introduce platypus into the River Torrens a fresh water river that flows through the city. Platypus were commonly found within the river until the late 1880's. Read more about the re-introduction campaign here.  A lovely platypus bronze sculpture and fountain is featured outside the St Peters Town hall located at 101 Payneham Road, St Peters. The sculptures were created by artist David Wilding in 1983 to commemorate St Peters turning 100 years. 

 

 

Red Gum Art

Located not too far from St Peters is Norwood. There is a wonderful wooden sculptured platypus carved from red gum wood (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).  It is featured within the children's play area at Kensington Park Reserve, located at 353 The Parade, Kensington Park.  The sculpture was created by artist Ant Martin who creates wonderful art from Red gums. He also has a gallery at 153 Williams Rd, Millicent South Australia. 

 

Platypus Sanctuary

As I mentioned above platypus were listed as extinct in Adelaide since the 1970s due to pollution levels. However sightings have been noted around Riverland and the Adelaide Hills Region during the 1990's and 2018.  Another location where platypus can be viewed is Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary located in Adelaide Hills suburb of Mylor.  The sanctuary features a range of Australian animals and is located in a beautiful bush land scenic setting. The sanctuary is on the traditional lands of  the Peramangk and Kaurna people.

A wonderful water tank mural located beside the dingo enclosure features Australian animals found at the sactuary. The mural was created by Wonkie Knee Art  (Naomi Campbell) and Charlotte Devine (charlotte_may_art.design).

 

 

Welcome mural into Warrawong Sanctuary (not sure of artist but maybe by Wonkie Knee art and Charlotte Devine)

 

 

Wildlife at the Sanctuary

 

Koala

Female Eclectus Parrot

Turtle

Surrounded by Nature

Street Art

I discovered a few street art lane ways around the CBD of Adelaide.  Below are a few of highlights

Labyrinth by Rod Manning located in the alley way beside the Uniting Communities building on 43 Franklin street

Beautiful mural by artist Vans The Omega located beside Adelaide's Central Bus Station

Lovely mural on side of The Joinery building at 111 Franklin Street (artist unknown)

The obtuse angled Platypus (2018)  mural by Melanie Spurling (@melamorphic) at the Joinery

Public sculptures

Around Adelaide CBD are a selection of quirky sculptures below are some of my favourites. Check out this link here for more of Adelaide's public art.

Pigeon (2020) by Paul Sloan

Progress (1959) by Lyndon Dadswell above Rundle Mall Plaza

A Day Out (1999) by Marguerite Derricourt a series of pig sculptures located around Stephen's place Rundle Mall, known to locals as The Pigs

Talking Our Way Home (2005) by Shaun Kirby. Located at Elder Park on River Torrens known as Karrawirra Pari (Red Gum Forrest River) in the local Kaurna people's language

 

Beatlemania

Located on the balcony of the Adelaide Town Hall is an artwork to commemorate The Beatles visit in 1964 and the 150th year of Adelaide Town Hall.  The artwork was created by Algo Mas Marketing in 2016. It features Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Jimmie Nicol (who filled in for Ringo for the first half of 1964 World Tour).  On 12 June 1964, Beatlemania hit Adelaide with more than 300,000 people lining Anzac Highway and King William Street to welcome The Beatles.

 Panda diplomacy

 Adelaide zoo is the only place in the Southern hemisphere to have Giant pandas. Wang Wang (male) and Fu Ni (female) arrived in Adelaide in 2009 as part of giant panda breeding program around the world.  Fu Ni mean's Lucky Girl in Chinese and Wang Wang means Net Net, the meaning is that hopefully the lucky girl will fall into the net of love and produce a baby panda. Sadly currently breeding attempts have not resulted in offspring.  Adelaide zoo features a great variety of endangered animals as well including the Orange bellied parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Malaysian Tapir and Mandrill. 

Fu Ni

Wang Wang

Wang Wang

Palm Cockatoo

Malaysian Tapir

Mandrill

Orange Bellied Parrot

Famous Musicians

Sia is a world famous music artist and she originated from Adelaide. South Australia has produced many famous singers such as Jimmy Barnes lead singer of the band Cold Chisel, The Master's Apprentices and Paul Kelly a well known singer songwriter. 

 

Final Thoughts

Adelaide is a charming city I liked how it wasn't so busy compared to Sydney and I loved how green the city was surrounded by a number of parks and the Torrens river. I definitely will be back to explore more of South Australia. Check out my Kangaroo Island blog here too.

River Torrens also known as Karrawirra Pari in the local Kaurna people's language

Video Extras

Check out my video below for more extras from my visit.