Phillip Island
The wildlife and scenic capital of Victoria is defiantly Phillip Island.Phillip Island lies on the south coast of Victoria at the entrance to Westernport bay. The island is connected to the mainland on its eastern side by a bridge. Over the years, the island has become an agricultural region and is mostly covered by farming land. Stands of eucalytus forest still left on the island are home to a large colony of Koala. The largest town on Phillip Island is Cowes which lies on the waterfront on the northern side and this is the location where you will find most of the accommodation. A wildlife park near Cowes has a fantastic Koala display which allows tourists to get up close and personal with these cute little animals.
Phillip Island is only a couple of hours drive from Melbourne so it is the ideal place for a weekend away or even a day trip. The drive takes you through the wineries of the Mornington Peninsula and then around the northern shoreline of Westernport Bay. If you want to stay for a while on the island, holiday apartments are available at Cowes and most are right on the waterfront. The town also has great pubs and restaurants. Scattered throughout the island, you will also find bed and breakfast and cabin style accommodation. Phillip Island also has a famous motor racing circuit and the Australian Moto GP is held here as well as one of the annual V8 supercar events. These events bring tens of thousands of visitors to Phillip Island so if you are looking for a quiet break, don't come during these times.
Phillip Island is also famous for its colony of fairy penguins. Every night on one of the southern ocean beaches, hundreds of Fairy penguins come ashore to their burrows in the sand dunes to feed their chicks. This display has been a popular attraction for generations and most Melbourne kids have been to the island to see them. There is a tiered standing area and the beach is floodlit so that tourists can get a better view. On the south western tip of the island there is also a colony of seals and there are boat tours out to see them. The southern beaches are all excellent surfing beaches and the island is a popular destination for surfers.
Phillip Island is an ideal destination for tourist wanting to see some of Australia's best wildlife.
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