Every evening when the sunlight gradually fades, visitors will admire an extremely spectacular scene, thousands of penguins waddling towards their nests, creating a non-stop flow. In addition to the lovely penguins, Phillip Island also attracts visitors by the wild and charming beauty of nature. Let's explore with Vietravel the interesting experiences when traveling to Phillip Island in Australia !
1. A few words about Phillip Island
Phillip Island is located near the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia (Photo source: Collected)
Phillip Island is located at the mouth of Western Port Bay near Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is a remarkable island measuring 26km long and 9km wide. It is easily accessible by a bridge that connects it directly to the mainland, allowing visitors to enter for free. One of the main attractions of Phillip Island is the presence of a large population of little penguins, also known as "fairy penguins" in Australia.
Every night, thousands of penguins return to the island to rest, creating an impressive and captivating sight. In addition, Phillip Island is also famous for being home to the largest colony of sea lions in Australia, adding to the island's appeal to Phillip Island tourists who love nature and wildlife.
Phillip Island is also famous for its beautiful beaches, majestic natural scenery and fertile farmland . This is an ideal choice for those looking for a place to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of city life. During the summer months, the number of tourists to Phillip Island increases dramatically, showing the irresistible appeal of this island for those who want to relax and enjoy the fresh air, peace and nature.
2. How to get to Phillip Island
You can travel to Phillip Island by car or bus (Photo source: Collected)
2.1. Travel by car
To get to Phillip Island by car from Melbourne, it takes about 90 minutes by road. Once you get close to the island, it takes about 20 minutes to cross the bridge and reach the famous Penguin Parade area. The journey begins by travelling south-east on the Monash Freeway (M1).
Next, you will turn onto the South Gippsland Highway (M420), then onto Bass Road (A420). Finally, you will continue onto the Phillip Island Road, which leads directly to the island. For parking convenience, there are free parking areas available at the island attractions.
2.2. Travel by bus
The V-line bus service runs from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to Cowes, Phillip Island’s main hub. However, it’s worth noting that the V-line bus does not stop at Penguin Parade, one of the island’s main attractions. Therefore, you’ll need to find other forms of transport from Cowes to get to Penguin Parade.
Furthermore, after visiting Penguin Parade, there will be no V-line bus immediately returning to Melbourne, so you will need to carefully plan your return journey, which may include using a bus service or other alternative means of transport.
3. Exciting experiences on Phillip Island
3.1. Penguin watching on Summerland beach
Lovely penguins on Summerland beach (Photo source: Collected)
Have you ever dreamed of seeing thousands of tiny, scrawny penguins marching back to their nests after a long day of foraging at sea? If so, then Phillip Island is the perfect destination for you. The highlight of any Phillip Island trip is the penguin watching experience at Summerland Beach.
As dusk falls, thousands of tiny penguins, with their distinctive black and white feathers, begin their journey back to their nests. The sight of the birds waddling across the sand, flock after flock, creates an extremely vivid and lovely picture. Unlike the large penguins in Antarctica, the penguins on Phillip Island are much smaller, only about 40cm tall and weighing about 1kg. That is why people also call them fairy penguins.
3.2. Visit Pannys Chocolate Factory
Pannys Chocolate Factory on Phillip Island (Photo source: Collected)
When planning a trip to Phillip Island, one of the destinations that cannot be missed is the famous chocolate factory with more than 190 types of excellent quality chocolate, especially for those who love sweets. During the journey of discovery, visitors can easily be attracted to the production process of premium chocolate bars, making you unable to take your eyes off the delicate beauty of each product.
If you are feeling creative, you can also make your own impressive chocolate bars as souvenirs. After the experience, don't forget to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a delicious chocolate cake, the perfect reward for those who love sweet things. In addition, the factory also has a small museum, which displays many unique works of art made from chocolate and offers many interesting interactive games, creating a diverse and rich experience during your Phillip Island trip.
3.3. Immerse yourself in the clear blue sea water
Romantic beauty of the beach on Phillip Island (Photo source: Collected)
When you travel to Phillip Island, you will discover some of the most spectacular and impressive beaches in Australia. In particular, the beaches located on the south side of the island are characterized by rugged terrain. Because Phillip Island is close to Antarctica, the southerly winds often blow strongly, creating ideal conditions for surfing activities and also favorable for calm days. These beaches are not only great destinations for surfers but also ideal places for swimming and enjoying the clear blue water.
In contrast, the beaches on the north and west of Phillip Island offer a quieter atmosphere, making them perfect for families looking to relax and unwind in nature. Some of the popular beaches you can visit on your Phillip Island trip include Woolamai, Flynns and Berry, each with their own unique features for you to explore and enjoy during your holiday.
3.4. Watch farmers shear sheep
In addition to penguins, there are also sheep on the island (Photo source: Collected)
When traveling to Phillip Island, do not miss the opportunity to visit Heritage Farm located on Churchill Island. This is an attractive destination where visitors can witness unique activities that are often only seen in movies, such as the process of sheep shearing. This work requires not only skill but also a lot of strength, and you will witness the sophistication and expertise of the workers.
Heritage Farm offers a romantic experience, taking you back to the Australian countryside. The ancient roofs, lush gardens and cattle pens all remind you of the early 19th century, when the first Europeans settled around 1850. During your Phillip Island trip, you also have the opportunity to participate in other interesting activities such as watching farmers milk cows, practicing whipping like a real cowboy or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the farm. These experiences not only help you understand more about traditional Australian rural life but also bring memorable moments in your journey to explore the island.
3.5. Hiking the Cape Woolamai Trail
Cape Woolamai Trail is suitable for relaxing weekends (Photo source: Collected)
Whether you have a day, a weekend or a summer holiday to explore Phillip Island, a must-do on your Phillip Island trip is the Cape Woolamai Trail. This is a popular half-day hike that starts in Woolamai State Reserve and takes you to Phillip Island’s highest point at 112 metres.
At the top of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Phillip Island, along with its rugged and dramatic coastline. From here, you’ll be able to see landmarks like the Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai Lighthouse, and Norman Hill, as well as the Spew Hill dunes. As well as enjoying the spectacular views, you’ll also have the chance to spot wildlife endemic to the area, including wallabies, dolphins and seals.
3.6. Visit the Nobbies Centre
Nobbies Centre is located on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island (Photo source: Collected)
Located on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island, Nobbies Centre is one of the most famous tourist attractions on Phillip Island. One of the highlights of Nobbies Centre is the winding wooden path that hangs precariously on the cliff. This path is not only a path, but also a unique work of art, giving visitors extremely interesting experiences.
If you are lucky, in spring you may also see seagull nests with their lovely chicks growing up. About 1.5km from the Nobbies Centre is Seal Rock, a small island famous for being home to Australian fur seals. With a quarter of the total fur seal population in Australia, Seal Rock is one of the largest seal viewing sites in Australia. Visitors can rent a boat to the island and see the fur seals lazily basking on the rocks or swimming happily in the clear blue water.
3.7. Surfing on the sea
Surfing on Phillip Island is also a great experience (Photo source: Collected)
Learning to surf, especially for those who are new to balancing on the water, can be a fun challenge. But don’t worry! Phillip Island, with its gentle waves and famous Smiths Beach, is the perfect place to start your adventure.
The waves at Smiths are small enough to get you used to the feeling of surfing on the water, but big enough to be exciting. The peaceful atmosphere of the beach combined with the dedicated guidance of the coaches will help you quickly gain confidence. Once you have mastered the basics, you can try the stronger waves at other beaches on the island.
3.8. Visit the Koala Sanctuary
Visitors will be able to admire kangaroos at close range (Photo source: Collected)
There are few places in the world where you can see koalas as close and natural as Phillip Island’s Koala Sanctuary. Nestled among the last remaining native forests, the sanctuary is home to hundreds of adorable koalas. With two specially designed boardwalks, visitors have a 100% chance of seeing koalas in their natural habitat.
Phillip Island tourists will feel like they are lost in a fairy world, where koalas lazily climb trees or sleep soundly on branches. In addition, visitors can freely explore the vast forest to find hidden koalas. This is truly an unforgettable experience for those who love wild animals.
3.9. Island tour by helicopter
Experience sightseeing on Phillip Island by helicopter (Photo source: Collected)
A helicopter tour of Phillip Island is a completely new and unique way to explore this beautiful Australian island. Unlike flying on commercial planes, riding in a helicopter gives you the feeling of being gently “hovering” above the clouds, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature below from a completely different perspective.
From high in the air, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of Phillip Island’s iconic sights. One of the most exciting experiences is spotting wildlife such as seals and whales as they swim near Pyramid Rock. You’ll also get panoramic views of the spectacular rugged coastline surrounding Cape Woolamai, famous for its big waves and dramatic wilderness. The flight also takes you over the Nobbies Islands, home to a rich marine life, and the Grand Prix Circuit, where thrilling motor racing takes place.
Phillip Island with its adorable little penguins is a hidden gem in the middle of the vast ocean. When you travel to Phillip Island, you will be immersed in the beautiful natural scenery, listen to the murmuring waves and feel the salty breath of the ocean. Let your soul blend into nature, you will find yourself lost in a fairy tale world, where miracles always await. Let's explore Phillip Island of Australia with Vietravel today!
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/du-lich-dao-phillip-v15786.aspx
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