Pack your backpack, Explore! It’s time for a sound safari! Sergio, Mimsy, and their friend Fauna take you deep into Australia to meet its most famous creatures: kangaroos, emus, koalas, wombats, and even the smiling quokka. Hear their wild sounds, uncover why they’re treasured symbols of Australia, and practice making animal calls the Aussie way. An unforgettable adventure for curious kids everywhere!
Pack your backpack, Explore! It’s time for a sound safari! Sergio, Mimsy, and their friend Fauna take you deep into Australia to meet its most famous creatures: kangaroos, emus, koalas, wombats, and even the smiling quokka. Hear their wild sounds, uncover why they’re treasured symbols of Australia, and practice making animal calls the Aussie way. An unforgettable adventure for curious kids everywhere!
SERGIO: Hi there! I’m Sergio, the Accent Explorer, collecting words and sounds from around the world. And this is my best pal, Mimsy the Mockingbird, who never misses a chance to squawk, sing, or say something silly or fun! Hello, Mimsy!
MIMSY: Kon’nichiwa!
SERGIO: Hey, Explorer, do you remember that one? That’s the Japanese way to say “hello.” We learned it together on an earlier adventure. Repeat after me: Kon’nichiwa! (Pause) Great job!
Now if you’ve been following along, you’ll know that my trip to Australia is coming up next month! I’m super excited about it. In fact, I spent all day getting ready, packing my backpack, checking my maps, and even switching up my U.S. money for Australian money—which I’ll need on my trip. And you do know what I noticed on every single coin? Not presidents or buildings, but two unique Australian animals; a kangaroo and an emu. Now, quick note, Explorer: here in America, people often say Eeee-moo. But in Australia, they say Eeee-myooo. Since this adventure is all about Australia, let’s say it their way: Eeee-myooo. Pretty fun, right? And seeing those animals on money got me curious…what can we learn about Australia through their amazing wildlife?
Lucky for you and me, Explorer, one of my good friends here in Green Ridge knows all about animals.
MIMSY: Fauna!
SERGIO: Exactly. Fauna!
MIMSY: She’s sooo nice.
SERGIO: She certainly is Mimsy. Now, even though Fauna isn’t from Australia, she knows more about Australian animals that even most Australians do! That’s because she spends her free time volunteering at our local zoo, caring for creatures big and small. And when she’s not there, she’s helping pets at their vet’s office. But animals aren’t just her job, they’re her whole life. If you are invited into her home, you might see turtles lumbering past the couch or parrots squawking at the TV! Let’s invite her in, shall we?
MIMSY: Yes! Let’s!
SERGIO: [CALLING OUT IN SING-SONG] Oh Fauna!!! Come in!!!
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
FAUNA: Hi Sergio. Hi Mimsy! Or should I say…”G’day!”
MIMSY: G’day Fauna! We were telling our friend how much you looove animals!
FAUNA: It’s true! Animals are everything to me. I’ve been taking care of them since I was little. Maybe right around your age, Explorer. And you know the coolest thing? Every single animal has a personality, just like people. Some are silly, some are scaredy cats, some are copycats, and others are super brave.
SERGIO: Which one are you, Mimsy?
MIMSY: Super brave!
FAUNA: You certainly are, Mimsy. Anyway, animals have always been my favorite teachers. That’s why, today I’m excited to take you on a little “sound safari” through Australia.
SERGIO: A sound safari! I love the sound of that.
FAUNA: Australia is packed full of amazing animals. And most of them can’t be found anywhere else in the whole wide world. Do you know why?
MIMSY: No. Why?
FAUNA: Well, millions of years ago, the large island of Australia drifted away from other continents like a giant ship across the ocean. And because it has been cut off from the rest of the world for so long, the animals there went wild with creativity…hopping, climbing, and inventing brand-new ways to live. That’s why so many of them can’t be found anywhere else on Earth.
MIMSY: One of a kind, just like YOU, Explorer!
FAUNA: So even though Australia is far away and tricky to travel to, that distance gave us so many unique animals! And do you want to know the best part? When we learn about animals, we’re also learning about people. Animals end up on money, sports teams, even as national symbols. Why? Because people see their own strengths in them. Looking at wildlife in a country is like seeing what stickers kids put on their notebooks … it shows what they love the most and what they identify with.
SERGIO: I love that. Okay Explorer, grab your backpack, open your ears, even close your eyes (if you want), because our sound safari through the Australian wilderness starts…NOW!
[MUSIC STING]
SERGIO: Okay Fauna, what animal are we going to meet first?
FAUNA: Well Sergio, it’s a beautiful day here in Australia. The sun is shining, the wind is making a soft *ssshhhhh* sound, and we’re starting our wild safari in the wilds of… a golf course. Now, we’re not here to play sports, but rather to spot a spectacular marsupial that stands as tall as a basketball player and balances on its strong tail with muscles built for bouncing. Do you know what animal I’m talking about? (pause) A kangaroo!
MIMSY: Just like Matilda!
FAUNA: Exactly! Kangaroos are so common in Australia that you can even spot them in places you might not expect, like golf courses. They hang out in big groups called “courts”, lounging in the sun and hopping across the greens like it’s their backyard. And get this, there are about 40 million kangaroos in Australia, which is almost two times the number of people who live there.
SERGIO: That’s incredible, Fauna. So, why do kangaroos mean so much to Australians? And why are they on this little silver coin that I got earlier today?
FAUNA: Great question, Sergio. In fact, the kangaroo (and the emu) are on Australia’s coat of arms … that’s like the big team logo for the whole country. And do you know why? Because they only know how to move one way—forward!. So people in Australia see them as a reminder to always keep moving forward, even when life gets tricky. And there’s more: Kangaroos also hold a special place in Indigenous Australian culture. You’ll often see them painted in beautiful indigenous artwork, where they stand for strength and resilience. Now, strap on your hiking boots and follow me. We’re off through the knee-high grass and tall, green trees of the beautiful woodlands, because another feathery friend is waiting to greet us. It’s the emu!
SERGIO: The other animal on Australia’s coat of arms!
FAUNA: Exactly! Now, the Emu is one of the biggest birds in the world! Imagine a giant bird almost as tall as your grown-up, with long legs built for running and shaggy brown feathers. Emus can’t fly, but don’t feel sorry for them….they can run as fast as a car, almost 30 miles an hour! And here’s something wild: they have two sets of eyelids. One for blinking, and one for keeping out the dust.
MIMSY: Whoa! That’s like me when I’m wearing sunglasses!
FAUNA: [Laughs] That’s right, Mimsy. And listen closely: this is the sound the female emu makes [SFX: deep booming sound of Emu]. It’s not a chirp or a squawk… it’s more like a low drum, or even a motorcycle engine starting up.
MIMSY: Vrrrroooom! VROOOM. Oink-oink! [laughs] Part motorcycle, part piggy!
FAUNA: (smile) Nice one, Mimsy. And guess what, Explorer? Emu’s are seen as national symbols in Australia too. Just like the kangaroos. The kangaroo shows off bouncing strength, while the emu stands for speed and determination. Together they’re like a team. One leaps, the other runs…showing the world that Australians love to keep moving forward, fast and strong! Emu’s are also celebrated in indigenous Australian art. Sometimes emus are painted right onto a didgeridoo, that deep wooden instrument you’ve talked about before. When you spot an emu there, it’s meant to symbolize strength and grace...because to many Indigenous Australians, the emu is a special, guiding spirit.
SERGIO: Wow! I’ll remember that for my trip!
FAUNA: And as the emu races off, across the woodlands, let’s drift our eyes upward… because in the treetops we spot a very different Aussie friend clinging to the branches, munching on some crunchy eucalyptus leaves, and yaaaawning really wide. It’s fluffy, round-eared, and incredibly cute. Any guesses?
MIMSY: A teddy bear?
FAUNA: Pretty close, Mimsy. It’s the koala!
MIMSY: Koala bear!
FAUNA: Actually Mimsy, Koala’s aren’t bears. They’re marsupials. Just like kangaroos. And you know what they’re best at? Sleeping! Koalas snooze about 20 hours every day! And the rest of the time, they’re munching on those delicious eucalyptus leaves! Koalas also make loud, deep bellowing and grunting calls which can be heard from a really long way away.
Koalas are also really important in Indigenous Australian stories, songs and rock art. In one story, the koala helped other animals survive rising seas by leading them to safety to the mainland!
SERGIO: That’s so cool! I guess those eucalyptus leaves don’t give the Koala’s a lot of energy. 20 hours sure is a long time to sleep!
[SNAP OF TWIG]
FAUNA: Sshhh…did you hear that? It sounded like a twig snapping.
[ANOTHER SNAP OF TWIG]
FAUNA: There it is again. Do you see anything, Explorer?
MIMSY: I do! Over there! Look, something’s moving.
FAUNA: Oh, wow. It’s another amazing Aussie animal; the Wombat. (WHISPERING) Hey, Mimsy. Want to, uhh, hear something pretty funny about the Wombat?
MIMSY: Sure!
FAUNA: They’re the only animal in the world whose poop is in the shape of a cube!
MIMSY: That’s the silliest poop I’ve ever heard of!
FAUNA: You can say that again. But there’s more to wombats than funny facts. They’re nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and come out at night. And when they’re snoozing, their long burrows keep them cool and safe underground. Wombats know how to live in harmony with their land, and Australians are the same way, always finding smart ways to care for their home and the nature around them. Let’s just sit back and watch this spectacular creature.
FAUNA: And while the wombat continues to dig deep into the earth… just a short journey away, life looks very different. Oh, look over there. I see the ocean! And people surfing the waves!
[Ocean Waves]
SERGIO: I don’t think we’re on mainland Australia anymore.
MIMSY: So where are we?
FAUNA: We’re on Rottnest Island, an island just offshore from the city of Perth. You’ll hear a lot of bicycle bells on Rottnest island because there are no cars allowed. You’ll also hear a lot of people snapping photographs, because everyone here is desperate to take a smiling selfie with the World’s Happiest Animal…the sweet Australia Quokka. They’re always smiling—just like Australians!
And they really are the ultimate Australian animal. They can hop like a kangaroo, climb trees like Koala’s, and they’re nocturnal like Wombats! They don’t make a lot of noise though—they prefer to just sit back, smile, and listen to the world unfold around them.
[END MUSIC CUE]
SERGIO: Wow. That was an incredible journey through the Australian wilderness, Fauna. I feel like I’ve learned so much more about Australia through their amazing animals!
FAUNA: I’m glad I could help. And good luck on your journey, Sergio! Now, I’ve gotta run. There’s a baby kangaroo at the zoo who thinks my backpack is a pouch, and I need to go sort that out! Bye Explorer! Bye Sergio and Mimsy!
MIMSY: Bye Fauna!
SERGIO: Okay, Explorer. Before we go, I wanted to tell you something really cool. I got a message from one of our listeners — just like you — with a great question. They wanted to know what Christmas is like in Australia and how it is different to Christmas here in the United States, and other places in the world. We’ll be unpacking all the exciting surprises on next week’s episode. So ho-ho-ho-ld onto your headphones… you’re not gonna want to miss this one! Until then…
MIMSY: Keep exploring!