DNLAROUNDOZ: 26th to 27th March

Off to Phillip Island today and I am excited at the prospect of seeing the fairy penguins. We found our way onto the Gippsland Highway via Tooradin, Koo-wee-Rup, Grantville and San Remo across the bridge and on to the island.

Looks like a new highway in process to Phillip Island

Bridge from San Remo to Phillip Island

We decided to take a look at The Nobbies before heading to the Penguin Parade. Nobbies, at the western tip of Phillip Island, offers spectacular views along the island’s southern coast. Boardwalks meander through the breeding colonies of penguins and silver gulls. About 1.5 kms off shore there is Seal Rocks. The rangers place wooden boxes throughout the breeding areas to assist the penguins and keep the numbers coming into the area. Over time the ground cover takes over to conceal the nests.

A room with a view

The Nobbies and Seal Rocks in background to left

A few seals frollicking off shore

Sunset at Nobbies - look closely left centre for a glimpse of rainbow..

Off to the Penguin Parade with a few hundred other people. Strict rules they do not allow photos or videos from any apparatus to be taken before, during or after the “parade” or in the nesting areas. We got there early to get a good seat, then waited and waited – they eventually reached the beach in small groups and waddled their way up to the dunes. The night before they recorded just over 1000 in this area, so tonight would be the same we imagine.

I did manage to sneak a pic (of a poster)....how cute are they

Penguins been nesting here forever, back in the 1920's

On the boardwalk at Nobbies (nuts)

These penguins are the smallest breed in the world, at 30 cms tall and weigh 1kg. During moulting season which is now, they increase weight to 2kgs as they stay on shore for 17 days without food. They all go back to the same burrow night after night, some walking up to an hour to get to their nests. Foxes are a big problem even on the island – after the parade is over, rangers enter the grounds on look out for these pests and shoot on site.

This little fella nesting at Nobbies, he is moulting and confined to his burrow for 17 days

We found the waves mesmerising out at Nobbies

Penguin tracks, little black holes their nests, that's a climb and a half

Phillip Island is bigger than I thought – 10,000 hectares in area with 10,000 permanent residents, 16,000 breeding pairs of penguins, 346 bird species, 50 koalas, 25,000 seals call Seal Rocks home with 6,000 pups born each year. There is everything on offer that you would expect from an Island experience and more – beaches, nature reserves, wineries, galleries, museums and of course the world famous Phillip Island racing circuit.

These fellas hang out in pairs

Our 2nd ECHIDNA in the bush walk to Swan Lake

Swan Lake, water levels a bit low - still several bird species here

Marion's Kitchen Red Thai Curry, 4 easy steps, just add meat and vege, good tucker!

The first ever Australian Grand Prix was held on Phillip Island on March 31^st, 1928 – back then it was 10.6 kms of rough and dusty public roads. Drivers boasted they steered by following the treetops through the billowing dust and flying stones. This year is the 60^th anniversary of the current circuit track which has hosted events like the Armstrong 500 (the richest road race in the world), Aust MotoGP, World Superbike Championship and V8 Supercars.

Entry gates to circuit

Cobra Attack Helicopter

We stayed at Cowes and enjoyed some nice fine weather, first day was a bit overcast and gloomy, the next day fine, sunny and warm. We did a round trip of the island, going back down to The Nobbies across to the race track, Vietnam Vets National Museum (including a light and sound show, depicting Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war) and back to Rhyll and Cowes.