Not far from Melbourne, Phillip Island is an island which is part of Australia that offers many natural wonders, but also truly special encounters.
Located south-east of Melbourne, in the state of Victoria in Australia, Phillip Island is a very popular day trip destination for the inhabitants of Melbourne and the surrounding area, but also for many tourists looking for natural beauty such as myself.
The island can be reached by car, which makes it particularly convenient to reach.
But what makes it so special?
Many tourists and visitors flock to Summerland Beach every day at sunset to watch the famous Penguin Parade, the moment when groups of little blue penguins emerge from the sea. This is definitely a moment not to be missed.
This island, which has about 7,000 inhabitants, is visited by approximately three million people a year who can't wait to discover its beauties, in addition to wanting to admire its most famous attractions: the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Reserve, the Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre.
As I was saying, the Penguin Parade is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles you can witness in Phillip Island. During the Penguin Parade, which takes place every evening at sunset at Phillip Island Nature Park, little blue penguins emerge from the sea in groups and search for their nests.
You can also witness this spectacle through guided tours that allow you to get close to the penguins under the guidance of a park ranger.
At the Koala Conservation Reserve you can observe, among the treetops, the koalas that live freely within the area, but also take the bush trails to admire wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils, parrots, various types of birds, snakes and reptiles.
You can also learn more about their care and about the programs they have to safeguard the wildlife.
The Churchill Island Heritage Farm is a historic farm where demonstrations of daily activities are held, such as milking, blacksmith activities, sheep shearing, working dogs, whip cracking, boomerang throwing and so on. Basically the demonstrations concern activities that are carried out every day by this type of structure.
Beyond the southwestern tip of Phillip Island are some islets called Nobbies and a few kilometres from there rise the Seal Rocks, rock formations where thousands of seals live and thrive. The Nobbies Centre is a structure that includes an educational centre and offers a truly fascinating coastal panorama, as well as the possibility of being able to admire the seals through large windows and walk among the sea birds that nest right here.
Phillip Island also offers other attractions that make it one of the most special islands in Australia.
First of all, I couldn't fail to mention the Motor Racing Circuit, the circuit that hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Here you can take guided tours, do laps of the circuit on board sports cars or have fun on a Go-Kart track.
And then there are the enchanting beaches. One of the most popular on the southern coast is Woolamai, which is particularly popular with surfers, in fact it is quite dangerous due to the strong currents. Then there is Smiths Beach, located on the northern side, which is perfect for swimming.
I have visited it during the Christmas holidays which is the beginning of the summer here downunder but I think it is a place visiting year round as its natural beauty are always here to welcome the visitors.
