Phillip Island

Phillip Island sits at the entrance to Western Port, joined to the mainland by a bridge, and its best-known event happens every evening at dusk: little penguins, the smallest penguin species, return from the sea in groups and cross the beach at Summerland to their burrows, watched from tiered viewing stands and boardwalks by hundreds of people. The colony numbers in the tens of thousands and has grown since a housing estate on the headland was bought back and removed. Elsewhere on the island, the Nobbies boardwalk overlooks Australia's largest fur seal colony on offshore rocks, Koala Conservation Reserve has treetop boardwalks, and the Grand Prix circuit hosts motorcycle racing.

History

The Yalloc Bulluk clan of the Bunurong, part of the Kulin nation, are the earliest known inhabitants, calling the island Corriong or Millowl, and their sheltered coast made them among the first Aboriginal people in Victoria to meet European seamen. George Bass, arriving by whaleboat from Sydney on 5 January 1798, named it after Governor Arthur Phillip, sealers from Van Diemen's Land followed, and in 1801 James Grant planted corn and wheat on neighbouring Churchill Island. French survey voyages led Governor Darling to send HMS Fly and two brigs in 1826 against any French attempt at a colony in Western Port, and a short-lived fort was built near Rhyll (Wikipedia, Phillip Island).

What you'll find

• The Penguin Parade - little penguins crossing the beach at dusk from viewing stands.
• The Nobbies and Seal Rocks - boardwalks above Australia's largest fur seal colony.
• The koala reserve - treetop boardwalks through a managed koala population.
• The Grand Prix circuit - the coastal motorcycle racing track.

When to go

October to April for the largest penguin numbers and later, warmer evenings; the parade runs year-round but winter viewing is at around 5pm and bitterly cold. Booking ahead is essential, and premium viewing options cost considerably more.

What to expect

Photography of any kind is banned at the parade, including phones, and this is strictly enforced because flash harms the birds. Evenings are cold and windy even in summer. The island is heavily commercialised, and a full day of attractions is expensive.

Nearby

San Remo and the mainland lie across the bridge; Wilsons Promontory is further east.

Key facts