Phillip Island.Phillip Island is approximately 140 kilometres south east of Melbourne and has an assortment of activities, attractions and events that make the island an ideal place to spend a day or three on your well deserved holiday. Apart from hosting such exciting, (and noisy) events as the MotoGP, V8 Supercars and World Superbikes championships, Phillip Island, with its natural beauty and serenity, is well known as a home to many nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and musicians. Covering an area of about 10,000 hectares, the island landscape is slightly undulating with the highest point being Cape Woolamai at 109 metres (357 ft) above 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 in Bass Strait, giving us some of the best surf beaches and scenic coastline in Australia. 
The northern coastline is situated in Westernport Bay and offers great sandy beaches that have calm and safe swimming areas, while the western coastline has a number of bays and inlets that contain magnificent mangrove flats. If you’d rather walk in peace and quiet than sit and have your eardrums assaulted by the racing machines there is a diverse range of established walks around the island. Cape Woolamai, Kitty Miller Bay and Nobbies walks feature good beach/bush tracks, and boardwalks, predominately along the rugged south coast. Conservation Hill and Rhyll Mangrove boardwalk overlook the Rhyll wetlands and Rhyll Inlet, offering excellent bird watching opportunities and Swan Lake nature trail leads to the only permanent freshwater lake on the island and offers viewing hides to watch the lake's bird life. You can also witness the daily pelican feeding, 12.00 noon at the pier at San Remo. Of course, apart from the racing another very good reason to visit Phillip Island is the fairy penguins. People from all over the world flock to Phillip Island to behold Australia's most popular wildlife event, the daily parade of little penguins as they emerge from the sea to make their way to burrows in the sand dunes. The Penguin Parade is one of the best known and popular of the attractions on Phillip Island.
Each evening just after the sun sets the little penguins, better known as fairy penguins, stroll up Summerland Beach after a period of time at sea fishing to return to their burrows. It is a very popular attraction for which you will need to book your seats, so it is best to book and arrive early as the best viewing spot is from the wooden boardwalk on the beach For information and current times call the Phillip Island Nature Park Ph: 5956 8300. Summerland Beach also leads onto Point Grant and the remarkable Nobbies and Seal Rocks, home to a seal colony. The world’s largest colony of Australian Fur Seal can be found on this rocky outcrop, known as Seal Rocks, about one kilometre from Phillip Island’s coastline, Wildlife Coast Cruises has daily trip out to the Seal Rock during most of the year, while Phillip Island Helicopters have some great scenic flights that will give you a birds eye view of the Island and Seal Rocks. Towering gums at the Koala Conservation Centre and woodlands of the Oswin Roberts Reserve provide a safe home for the island’s koala population. Koalas can be viewed at the close viewing area and tree-top boardwalk at the visitor Centre or on a gentle stroll through the woodlands of the Oswin Roberts Reserve, while kangaroos, wallabies and possums are fairly abundant around Phillip Island. The wetlands and bush areas 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 main road to Cowes. Both Adults and children will enjoy many of the other attractions found on Phillip Island and San Remo such as the Amaze N Things with it giant maze, mini golf and indoor illusions centre, while the National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a surprise package with it great displays and information such as the Huey Cobra gunship. The Nobbies Centre is Australia’s newest marine attraction, explore and discover the secrets of the incredible southern marine environment including seals, sharks and dolphins via interactive displays and cameras that allow you to zoom in and out on these marine creatures. Churchill Island Heritage Farm, accessed by bridge from Phillip Island, is steeped in history. Deliciously fragrant gardens surround the historical homestead amidst a variety of bird life. The island is a working farm with Highland cattle, sheep, ducks, chickens and Clydesdale horses and talks by the resident ranger, machinery demonstrations and festivals bring Churchill Island to life throughout the year. Without a doubt the Phillip Island chocolate factory is the sweetest and most addictive attraction on the island. The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is more than just a chocolate shop. 
Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate is a celebration of all things chocolate, with interactive machines to play with, fascinating facts and the ability to make your own chocolate on the spot. Once you've experienced this unique chocolate wonderland, Pannys Chocolate café offers an extensive array of wonderful chocolate treats to tempt your taste buds. When you arrive at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory you will be offered one of Pannys 'secret recipe' White Truffles. It is a delicious introduction to Panny's skills as a chocolatier and with a vast range of truffles, bars, clusters, gift boxes and chocolate animals there will be a Pannys favourite for you. Another very good reason to visit Phillip Island is, of course, The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is a three day festival of speed and entertainment and Phillip Island is the setting for some of the most fierce and close battles in motorbike racing! Originally opened in 1956, the 4.5km circuit staged the second round of the 1989 World Championship and has become a rider favourite over the years. The Motorcycle Grand Prix incorporates 6 main categories; MotoGP, Australian Superbikes, Denso Supersports, Glen Cameron Group Aussie 125s, 125cc and 250cc bikes. Not only is there a tonne of action on the track, but the MotoGP also offers 3 days of entertainment off track. Learn something new at mechanical information sessions, race like the pro's on the GP simulators, or even have your photo taken on the podium, or with a MotoGP bike. Take a stroll around the Support Paddock, where you can spot the teams making last minute adjustments and even meet some of the riders. Watch out overhead for the daring F18 Jets or grab a pen and get your hero's autograph at one of the autograph sessions throughout the event. You can also look forward to the sounds of guest performers during the three days. Go and have a look at the Show n Shine, where motorcycle owners from all over the country show off their pride and joy. The popular GP Expo features videos, books, displays and accessories and be sure to look out for the Manufacturers Display which showcases BMW, Yamaha and Honda.
There are four Grandstands to choose from when purchasing tickets for the MotoGP and there is also a general admission option. There are two campgrounds at the MotoGP; Highside (caters for motor homes, caravans, cars, tents etc) and Trackside (only bike and tent campers). A number of travel, accommodation and/or ticket packages are available. There are a number of transport services available including shuttle services, charter flights, ferries and helicopter or, if you have your own bike, why not join the MRA Cranbourne GP Run when thousands of MotoGP enthusiasts ride, procession-style, to Phillip Island every year. Some of the other attractions on and around Phillip Island include; The Fun Shed, Grumpys Waterslide, Rhyll Fishing Park, Pelican Feeding, Phillip Island Winery, Purple Hen Winery, Mingara Gallery, and the latest addition, Laser Strike. Some of the other major Phillip Island events include: · Farmer's Market, Churchill Island (bridge from Phillip Island). Contact: Peter Arnold. Phone (03) 5664 0096 · Cowes Night Market, Cowes Foreshore, Phillip Island. Contact: Anne Marie. Phone (03) 5952 1131 · The Coast Arts and Music Festival. Churchill Island (bridge from Phillip Island). Contact: Sian. Phone 0418 519 181 · Roxy WQS Womens Surfing Festival. Contact: Max Wells. Phone (03) 5674 1948 · Annual Island Classic (Motorcycle Racing and Displays). Contact: Phillip Island Circuit. Phone (03) 5952 2710 · Kustom Nationals: Hot Rod displays, Custom Cars, Rockabilly Bands and more. Contact: John Katzanis. Phone (03) 9796 2251. · Phillip Island Jazz Festival Contact: Clive Budd. Phone (03) 5678 8041. Phillip Island, come for the noise and excitement of the racing or come for the natural beauty and wildlife but do come, you’ll…………..enjoy, John. Discount Car Hire | Discount Cruises | Discount Flights | Discount Hostels | Discount Hotels | Discount Shopping Discount Travel | Special Travel Deals | Attractions Our RSS feed will be updated periodically with all the latest travel deals and special offers. Please subscribe by clicking the button to the left (XML/RSS) to receive notice of these updates without any risk or obligation. PLEASE NOTE: If you don't know what an RSS feed is just click this link. Click here to return from Phillip Island to The Discount Travel Guide home page. |
