While Philip Island is best known for its amazingly cute little penguins that each night come ashore from a days fishing and waddle to their sand dune burrows, there's so much more to this island than just penguins.
Unfortunately many visitor don't allow enough time to discover its many other delights such as the Koala Conservation Centre and the Churchill Island.
The Koala Conservation Centre offers the perfect environment to see Koala's close up and importantly, in their natural environment. The centre features 35 Koalas, located in two broadwalk areas and in surrounding bushland. All are wild.
Centre rangers conduct tours each day although the signage, especially in the broadwalk areas, is so good it doesnt really matter when you visit.
While wildlife isnt the main attraction of Churchill Island there's still plenty to see including Hilgland cattle, Clydesdale horses, sheep, ducks, chicken and peacocks. The 57 hectare island holds an important place in the history of Victoria's European settlement being the site of the first agricultural pursuits. It has been farmed sine the 1850s. In 1872 it was purchased by a former Mayour of melbourne, samuel Amess, who built a substantial house and outbuildings which still stand today.
A walk arounf these historical buildings, complete with old farming equipment and through the surrounding grounds provides the perfect introduction to the early days of farming in Victoria.
Moonah trees, which are thought to be at least 500 years old, are another highlight. A walk to these tress is one of several marked around the island.
The moonah Forest and Monument loop is the shortest walk and provides a good introduction. The around the island walk is about 5 kilometres and its great for anyone interested in birdlife.
An entry fee applies to both the Churchill Island and Koala Conversation Centre, however those who purchase a Three parks Pass can visit both attractions together with the Penguins for one discount rate. Tickets can be purchased at any of the attractions.
A number of the island's other natural attractions dont have entry visa. These include Rhyll Inlet and Observation Point, a great place to see the birds from all around the world insluding migratory shorebirds which come from Arctic Siberia. A broadwalk meanders through the mangroves allowing you to discover the wetlands without disturbing the environment.
Seal lovers flock to Seal Rocks where there's an Australian fur seal colony shich is thought to be one of the largest in Australia.
A new attraction has recently opened here, the Nobbies Centre on Philip Island. In an Australias tourism first, cameras using defence technology allow visitors to zoom in to view the seals as they frolic above and below the water. The cameras also zoom up to the birdlife nesting in the cliffs.
Other facilities include large plasma screens which run mini-presentations on the native marine and bird life. There's a cafe on site, while for kids there's the themed area "Just for Pups".
Of course no visit to Philip Island is complete without visit to the Penguin Parade. You can watch the Penguins from viewing stands and broadwalks or pay more to watch them from an exclusive broadwalk limited to fewer people. You can go behind the scenes with a ranger and learn how rangers and researchers are protecting the penguins, watch the penguins on your own secluded beach or enjoy the parade from an exclusive elevated viewing tower with a renger.
Whichover option you choose, ensure you allow time to see the many other natural attractions of the fascinating island.
Philip Island is around 90 minutes from Melbourne. There are numerous accommodation options on the island. While tour bus companies run daily tours.
for more information ring +61 3 5951 2800 or visit : www.penguins.org.au.
(Where Magazine)
Unfortunately many visitor don't allow enough time to discover its many other delights such as the Koala Conservation Centre and the Churchill Island.
The Koala Conservation Centre offers the perfect environment to see Koala's close up and importantly, in their natural environment. The centre features 35 Koalas, located in two broadwalk areas and in surrounding bushland. All are wild.
Centre rangers conduct tours each day although the signage, especially in the broadwalk areas, is so good it doesnt really matter when you visit.
While wildlife isnt the main attraction of Churchill Island there's still plenty to see including Hilgland cattle, Clydesdale horses, sheep, ducks, chicken and peacocks. The 57 hectare island holds an important place in the history of Victoria's European settlement being the site of the first agricultural pursuits. It has been farmed sine the 1850s. In 1872 it was purchased by a former Mayour of melbourne, samuel Amess, who built a substantial house and outbuildings which still stand today.
A walk arounf these historical buildings, complete with old farming equipment and through the surrounding grounds provides the perfect introduction to the early days of farming in Victoria.
Moonah trees, which are thought to be at least 500 years old, are another highlight. A walk to these tress is one of several marked around the island.
The moonah Forest and Monument loop is the shortest walk and provides a good introduction. The around the island walk is about 5 kilometres and its great for anyone interested in birdlife.
An entry fee applies to both the Churchill Island and Koala Conversation Centre, however those who purchase a Three parks Pass can visit both attractions together with the Penguins for one discount rate. Tickets can be purchased at any of the attractions.
A number of the island's other natural attractions dont have entry visa. These include Rhyll Inlet and Observation Point, a great place to see the birds from all around the world insluding migratory shorebirds which come from Arctic Siberia. A broadwalk meanders through the mangroves allowing you to discover the wetlands without disturbing the environment.
Seal lovers flock to Seal Rocks where there's an Australian fur seal colony shich is thought to be one of the largest in Australia.
A new attraction has recently opened here, the Nobbies Centre on Philip Island. In an Australias tourism first, cameras using defence technology allow visitors to zoom in to view the seals as they frolic above and below the water. The cameras also zoom up to the birdlife nesting in the cliffs.
Other facilities include large plasma screens which run mini-presentations on the native marine and bird life. There's a cafe on site, while for kids there's the themed area "Just for Pups".
Of course no visit to Philip Island is complete without visit to the Penguin Parade. You can watch the Penguins from viewing stands and broadwalks or pay more to watch them from an exclusive broadwalk limited to fewer people. You can go behind the scenes with a ranger and learn how rangers and researchers are protecting the penguins, watch the penguins on your own secluded beach or enjoy the parade from an exclusive elevated viewing tower with a renger.
Whichover option you choose, ensure you allow time to see the many other natural attractions of the fascinating island.
Philip Island is around 90 minutes from Melbourne. There are numerous accommodation options on the island. While tour bus companies run daily tours.
for more information ring +61 3 5951 2800 or visit : www.penguins.org.au.
(Where Magazine)
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