Phillip Island Fairy Penguins

Phillip Island Vic 3922

Phillip Island is located 124 km south of Melbourne and was named after Governor Phillip. It is connected to the mainland by a 640 m bridge between San Remo and Newhaven and covers an area of about 10,000 ha (26 km long x 9 km at its widest) with 97 km of coastline. Originally inhabited by the Bunurong Aborigines, European farmers and graziers arrived in 1840s. Tourism began in 1920s and was greatly boosted by the ferry service at Cowes, which is the island’s major town offering great beaches, coastal walks and fishing. Phillip Island Nature Park is located in the s-w of the island and is where the nightly penguin parade can be viewed.  Nearby Nobbies is a rugged nature reserve with cliff side walks and Seal Rocks is home to the country’s largest Australian fur seal colony. Phillip Island also offers excellent surfing beaches and spectacular coastal scenery. Cowes markets each Sun and Churchill Island markets 4^th Sat each month. World Superbike Championships (Mar/Apr), V8 Supercars (Apr), Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (Oct). Regular events at Churchill Island include a Jazz & Blues afternoon (Feb), Newhaven College Gourmet Food & Wine Festival (Mar-Apr), Working Horse & Pioneer Festival (Easter).

Tourist Attractions, Info & Nearby:
Other places of interest on the island include Churchill Island,(2 km n-w of Newhaven) 57 ha protected parkland of woodlands, birdlife and fauna. This is also a working farm with a historical homestead (1872), outbuildings, herb and flower gardens, historic displays and museum of old farm machinery. Walks offering beautiful views and landscapes are the Churchill Island Loop Track (2 hours), North Point Loop Track (1 hour), Bass Rock Loop (30 min), Grant’s Monument Loop (30 min) and Mangrove Loop (45 min).  Island open (10am-4.30pm) with an entry fee. Cape Woolamai (s-e tip of island’s peninsula) noted for its excellent surfing beach (Woolamai Beach), spectacular scenery of coastal cliffs and outcrops and migratory birdlife (Cape Woolamai State Faunal Reserve) and walks (Cape Woolamai Granite Quarry Loop – 8 km return) and (Pinnacles Walk – 4 km return) heading to these offshore rock formations. The Colonnades (northern end of Woolamai Rd) unusual ‘organ pipes’ rock formations – best seen at low tide. Forrest Caves (west along Phillip Island Rd) series of large water eroded caverns – best seen at low tide. Also a number of muttonbood rookeries are here. Rhyll (n-e corner of island) small fishing village with a number of shops, accommodation, tourist facilities and great fishing. Not to be missed also, Oswin Roberts Reserve (pre-colonial forest remnants), Conservation Hill (scenic panoramas), Smith's Beach (excellent surfing and diving), Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (racing circuit of motorcycle Grand Prix, V8 Supercars and World Superbike Championship. Racing began on the island in 1928 with the current circuit opened in 1956 and since upgraded. Pyramid Rock, Kitty Miller Bay, Swan Lake and Cat Bay.

Accommodation:
Phillip Island has a hotel,  holiday apartments/units, 5 cottages/cabins, 11 B&Bs, and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 895 Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Newhaven. Tel (03) 5956 7447 or 1300 366 422.