By Holiday Rentals Australia

Phillip Island

 Ranked as one of the top tourist destinations in Australia, Phillip Island has so much to offer to those who make the journey to its shores, which is just a short drive away from Melbourne. From its sandy beaches and stunning coastline and abundant wildlife to its motor racing grounds, a stay on the island is definitely a must-have experience for anyone living in or merely just visiting Australia.

Regarded as Victoria’s first European settlement, George Bass discovered the island in 1798, and within the span of a few decades the island had accumulated its first settlers from Europe.  In the present day and age, it is home to just a little over 7000 permanent residents and attracts an impressive number of 3.5 million visitors each year.

Perhaps the biggest tourist attraction on the island is the Penguin Parade in the Phillip Island Nature Park. Every day, without fail, the native Little Penguins (or fairy penguins) emerge from the waters at dusk on Summerland Beach and waddle their way back to their resting nests in the sand dunes. The Penguin Parade is the one commercial venue in the world where people can watch penguins in their natural habitat; an elevated tower and a wooden boardwalk serve as locations for observers to watch the spectacular display of hundreds of penguins making their way home as the sun sets in the horizon. Due to the parade’s immense popularity, it has become necessary to book in advance for a spot on the viewing platforms to witness this truly magnificent sight.

However, it’s not just the Penguin Parade that Phillip Island can boast of, but a multitude of other sights and activities; the vast array of animals that can be found in the Wild Life Park include kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and a whole lot more. Fans of motor racing can also get their adrenaline fix, as Phillip Island plays host to the annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, aside from a number of other racing events throughout the year, at the renowned, scenic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. History buffs can make the short trip to Churchill Island to learn more about the history and heritage of the island and to take the tour of the area where the first settlers set up their new homes. The town of Newhaven is the perfect place for surfers, both wannabes and experienced, as it is home to one of the best surf spots in Victoria.

Whether you go to Phillip Island with friends or family, disappointment and boredom are both unlikely to be felt as a little something for everyone can be found on the island, making it one of the premium destinations for an awesome holiday in the land down under.

Back