Are you searching for an island w/c provides great fun and relaxation together w/ abundant Australian flora and fauna? Phillip Island is surely the place. Phillip Island is about 140 kms South East of Melbourne and is the mecca of the world famous Penguin Parade and the Australian MotoGP event.
As its name defines, it is named after Captn. Arthur Phillip, the 1st Governor of New South Wales. Access to Phillip Island is via a bridge between San Remo, on the mainland, and Newhaven on Phillip Island. The island has an area of about ten thousand Hectares, and the landscape is slightly undulating with the topmost point being Cape Woolamai at 109 metres (357 ft) over sea level. The island has approximately 101 kilometres (60 miles) of coastline with the south and part of the west coast being exposed to the open ocean, Bass Strait, offering it some of the greatest surf beaches and amazing coastline in Australia. The northerly coastline is found in Westernport Bay and give great sandy beaches that have peaceful and safe swimming areas, while the western coastline has a number of bays and inlets that have magnificent mangrove flats.
Phillip Island has an array of natural and man made sceneries to visit as well as a host of to do list that will keep you entertained for hours. The Penguin Parade is one of the best known and top tourist attractions on Phillip Island. Each evening (at dusk) the little penguins, better known as fairy penguins, stroll up the beach to after a period of time at sea to return to their burrows.
The largest colony of Australian Fur Seal is on a rocky outcrop, known as Seal Rocks, about 1 kilometre from the coastline. Wildlife Coast Cruises has trip out daily to the Seal Rock during most of the year, while Phillip Island Helicopters have some great scenic flights that will provide you a birds eye view of the Island and Seal Rocks. Koalas can be seen at the Koala Conservation Centre, while kangaroos, wallabies and possums are fairly many in Phillip Island. The wetlands and bush regions on Phillip Island are home to an abundance of birds, while many migratory birds nest on the island during certain times of the year. All of these native animals can also be seen close up at the Phillip Island Wildlife Park on the chief road to Cowes.
Both Adults and kids will enjoy several of the other views found on Phillip Is. and San Remo such as the Amaze N Things w/ its giant maze, mini golf and indoor illusions centre, while the National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a surprise package w/ its great displays and infos such as the Huey Cobra gunship. Some of the other sceneries in and around the island include; The Fun Shed, The Chocolate Factory, Grumpys Waterslide, Rhyll Fishing Park, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Pelican Feeding, Phillip Island Winery, Purple Hen Winery, Mingara Gallery, and the latest addition Laser Strike.
Fishing is a very well known past time and T-Cat Charters specialising in fishing trips in Western Port bay and out in Bass Strait. Phillip Island has two great golf courses, The Aussie Golf Ranch is set on twenty three acres of coastal dune land, showing off Australia’s superior Par 3 Golf Course, while Phillip Island Golf Club is a full 18 hole and is one of the most enjoyable courses to play.
If you are seeking for an adrenalin rush, then the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is what you are searching for w/ HSV Hot Laps on the circuit or Go-kart on the scaled down look-alike track of the principal circuit. Laser Strike is a safe outdoor laser skirmish which is will surely make your heart pumping.
Drop by and stay in one of the numerous apartments, holiday houses, Bed and Breakfasts or hotels on Phillip Island. There is a vast range of accommodation to suit all budgets and with the sun, sea, surf, parks wildlife you have all you need for a never to be forgotten vacation.
Philip Moriones is a trekking guru on Accommodation Phillip Island & Phillip Island Bed and Breakfast. Check articles by Philip Moriones here.