Phillip Island

Cradling an exquisite environment that is situated only less than two hours away from the city of Melbourne in Australia, Phillip Island makes an ideal weekend getaway place for city dwellers. The island is home to a large area of natural resources and wildlife that surely make visitors want to come back every so often. The bountiful island is also developed to be more functional, which makes it possible for humans to interact with nature while still maintaining the island's resources.

The large area of Phillip Island comprises of four towns, namely Cowes, Newhaven, Rhyll and San Remo, each with different attractions and activities that tourists may visit and take pleasure in. Amongst the given towns, Cowes has the largest population with approximately 4,000 people.

Wildlife and Animal Sightings

As mentioned, Phillip Island is a place where natural and wildlife resources are easily accessible to humans. In fact, when it comes to animals, the island has its own spectacles, which tourists love to witness. Popularly called the Penguin Parade, the routine is being awaited by approximately 500,000 tourists each year. In this particular parade, around one-fifth of the 26,000 Australian-native penguins are visible on Summerland Beach. Just before the sun sets, these animals make their appearance as they come from the ocean and head to their shelter at the beach. Although the penguins go back to the water before the sun rises, their return to the water against the beautiful backdrop of the sun makes tourists stop by and witness this spectacular. The observation boardwalks and viewing areas are constructed so as not to disturb or harm the habitat of these animals.

Aside from watching the penguins do their everyday routine, Phillip Island also allows tourists to check first the island's more than 5,700 seals residing at the Seal Rocks, which is found near the Nobbies rock formation. Unlike penguins, the fur seals can be watched on a bright day as they enjoy and play in the water. These seals can also be observed by tourists from the Nobbies' boardwalks or from a cruise that starts from the town of Cowes.

From the beach, Phillip Island's Koala Conservation Centre is accessible to tourists who can see koalas hugging on tops and branches of the trees. For a better view of the animals, there are boardwalks on treetops that were made to bring humans closer not only to the koalas but to their habitat as well. But apart from the center, the neighboring French Island is a habitat to over 1,500 koalas.

Another attraction that must be seen in Phillip Island is the group of mutton birds or shearwaters. Each year, over one million of shearwaters visit the island at daytime. After they mate, dig in the sand and fish for their food around the beaches of the island, flocks of birds can be seen against the dazzling skies of the dusk, flying back to their colony on an island not far from Alaska. Though the regular visit of the shearwaters can be expected from September until April, the birds' flight can easily be witnessed from the boardwalk along Summerland beach, car park of Cape Woolamai, or from Sunset Shearwater Cruise.

Beaches

Aside from its natural tourist attractions, Phillip Island is also famous for its surfing and sheltered beaches, respectively at the southern and northern parts of the island. Among the south beaches that can be visited is Woomalai Surf Beach -- a sandy beach known for strong currents and has a lifesaving club for the surfers' security. Another favorite is Forest Caves Beach, which offers views of fantastic caves that were worn out by the seawater currents over time. Other beaches that are must-sees and are almost always flocked by people are Surf Beach, Surfies Point and surfing sites like Smiths Beach and YCW Beach.

For the northern beaches, Cat Bay Beach, Shelly Beach and Flynns Reef are some of the most popular choices. These places are almost always visited by sun and sea worshippers since the beaches have wonderful coastal sites and less aggressive currents. In addition, unlike the beaches at the south, these northern beaches can be enjoyed through swimming. Another example of a northern beach that is safe for swimmers is the Cowes beach area, for it has shallow parts that are perfect for children.

Continue

• Communing with Nature, Other Recreational Activities
• Events, Accommodations, Transportation
• Penguin Parade
• Phillip Island Koala Conservation Centre