Luke Wilkshire has been dubbed the Socceroos' answer to Steve Irwin in their new World Cup home - a sprawling five-star safari lodge they share with a jungle's worth of South Africa's wild animals.

"Luke is everywhere, he's trying to get as close as he can to deer, zebra and giraffe," said captain Lucas Neill as the Australians settled in to their luxurious camp in the foothills of the Zwartkops Mountains, part of the archaeologically-rich "Cradle Of Humankind".

"He has really taken to the safari," said Neill.

"We all like it but a few of us are a little bit intimidated and worried about wart hogs.

"We don't want to be chased around by anything with tusks like that."

The Socceroos have the lodge all to themselves, with players staying in thatch-roofed executive suites on one side of a central dam, and coaches, officials and support staff on the other.

Neill described the resort as the perfect place to switch off from football, and he won't get any argument there.

Their nature reserve is home to kudu, impala, blue and red wildebeest, eland, springboks, gemsbok, zebra, giraffe and a vast array of bird life.

They can try their hand at archery, hot-air ballooning, hiking, swimming in the rim-flow pool or fly fishing in any of six dams.

There's a well equipped gymnasium and a recreation room which looks like heaven for games freaks like Tim Cahill, complete with computer games, darts, pool, table soccer and pinball.

One room has been set up as a mini theatre where coach Pim Verbeek can dissect match videos with his players.

When it comes to down time or closing their eyes at night, the Socceroos have all the comforts of home.

They each have a suite to themselves, although some players who enjoy sharing can do so by choice.

The beds are king-sized and the interiors hewn from hand-cut sandstone tiles and majestic mahogany.

Rich fibres and leather furniture complete the opulence, and the bathtubs offer exquisite views.

One suite certain to be visited regularly by Harry Kewell has been turned into a medical room.

A large Australian flag flutters at the imposing front gates of the retreat, and tiny versions sit on the dark wooden tabletop of the Little Foot Bar.

Don't fear for the welfare of the Socceroos during the next few weeks as they make lightning raids to Durban, Rustenburg and Nelspruit to take on Germany, Ghana and Serbia.

In between times they are relaxing where the deer and the antelope play, well and truly home on the range.

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