Phillip Island

From World travel guide

Phillip Island is a large island at the mouth of Western Port Bay, located less than two hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria. Because of its proximity to the state capital, it's a popular weekend tourist destination, especially during the summer months. The island is separated from the mainland by just a channel and is connected by a bridge. It is part of the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland.

There are three towns on the island - Cowes, Rhyll and Newhaven. The principal source of income is tourism, and there are many cafes, restaurants etc. to cater to the appetites of the tourists.

The island provides home to a massive contingent of petrolheads every year when it hosts the annual Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Motor Racing Circuit.

See

• Penguin Parade, Summerland Beach (near the south western end of the island). At sunset the little penguins walk up from the sea to their nests. Adult $13, child $6.50, family $32.50. http://www.penguins.org.au/index02.asp

• The Nobbies and Seal Rocks (near the south western end of the island, past the Penguin Parade). From the boardwalks here you can see penguins for free, as well as gull rookeries. You might even see a snake in the grass. The Seal Rocks are too far away to see much of the seals with the naked eye but you can look through the pay binoculars. If nothing else, there are the views of coastal scenery.

• Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island Rd.

• A Maze'N Things (mini golf, a giant maze, and a 'hall of illusions')

• Vietnam Veterans Museum, 57 Phillip Island Rd, St Remo (St Remo is not actually on Phillip Island but is on the mainland side of the Phillip Island bridge), 03 5678 5999 (vvmuseum@nex.net.au, fax 03 5678 5995). M-F 10am-4pm, Sa-Su 10am-5pm. Dedicated to preserving and exhibiting memorabilia from Australia’s longest war. It is run by volunteers and does not have the quality of presentation of a big museum. There are over 5000 items though and there are videos playing. Go out the back to see the tank, helicopter, howitzer and vehicles. Entry by donation. http://www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org/

Do

• Cape Woolamai. There are several loops of walking tracks of various lengths. Doing all the walks might take up to 3 hours. Most of the cape is a huge mutton-bird or shearwater colony and the birds’ burrows are everywhere. There are few trees in much of the area but there is a section of regenerating bush. The first part of the walks is along the beach, starting near the lifesaving club.

• Beaches. There are a large number of beaches (both sheltered beaches on the inland side and surf beaches on the ocean side of the island)

Sleep

• Amaroo Park Cabin & Camping Park & Hostel, cnr Church St and Douglas (formerly Osbourne) St, Cowes, 5952 2548. This YHA hostel is enhanced by a fountain, attractive plants and an aviary containing cockatiels and budgies. Also has a bar and Internet kiosks. Dorm beds nonmembers $23.