Attractions such as the Penguin Parade and MotoGP have made Melbourne’s Phillip Island world-famous.
For visitors to Melbourne, Phillip Island is often on the top of their bucket list. But what draws these massive crowds, almost every night of the year? There is a long list of attractions on the island, but a few in particular have put Phillip Island on the world map. Read on to find out more about the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, the MotoGP Circuit, and the incredible natural wonders that this island has to offer.
Why is Phillip Island world-famous?
The nightly Penguin Parade
The nightly Penguin Parade has become one of the best activities Melbourne has to offer. The Penguin Parade facilities are located at Summerland Beach. It’s the only way to have front row seats as the famous ‘little penguins’ waddle across the sand. These seabirds are the world’s smallest penguins. They live in colonies and spend the majority of their time in the sea hunting for food. They come back to shore to nest, rest, moult or care for their young. Because of the sheer number of penguins that live on Phillip Island (approximately 32,000) you are guaranteed to see them every night of the year. Once they are finishing fishing for the day, they return to shore, heading across the sand to venture into their nests nearby.
Motor racing on the Grand Prix track
Phillip Island is home to a Grand Prix Circuit that hosts the International MotoGP and World Superbike Championship. Every race weekend throughout the year motorbike enthusiasts converge at the racetrack. The circuit was built in 1956, and is one of the most important tracks for the world MotoGP Tour. In addition to the MotoGP, the racetrack hosts other motorbike events, motor car racing events and festivals and events throughout the year. When the racing is not on you can still visit and try your hand at driving a Go Kart around the replica GP circuit. If you want a more thrilling experience, take a hot lap with a professional driver around the GP circuit.
Natural wonders
Phillip Island is also famous for its pristine beaches, native bushlands, and amazing coastal viewed. Nature lovers can explore hiking paths to take in the epic views and hopefully spot some wildlife. For an easy walk, try the Nobbies Information Centre boardwalk. For a more challenging walk, head to the other end of the island to explore the Cape Woolamai Coastal Walk. If coastal clifftops, picture-perfect lookouts and rock formations sound like a great way to spend a day, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Phillip Island.
Lesser-known Attractions on Phillip Island
Seal Rocks and The Nobbies
Seal Rocks are flat rocks further off the coast of Phillip Island. They are a home to Melbourne’s largest colony of Australian fur seals. They feed in the waters surrounding Phillip Island and can be found resting and sleeping on the rocks. At Point Grant there are binoculars along the boardwalk which can be used to spot the marine creatures out on Seal Rocks. Visiting the Nobbies gives you fantastic views out to the Southern Ocean and across Western Port Bay.
Southern Right Whales
Around June/July and again in October/November, you can witness whales passing by the coast of Phillip Island. At times they have even been spotted frolicking and searching for food in Western Port Bay. Southern Right whales are the most common, but Humpback whales and even Orcas have been spotted there as well.
Migrating Short-tailed Shearwater birds
Cape Woolamai is a nesting ground for over one million short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds). Each year these migratory birds fly 8,000 kilometres from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands to Phillip Island. They can be seen on and around Phillip Island between September and April.
Take a tour to Phillip Island
Phillip Island is an easy day trip from Melbourne. Discover the best parts of the island and finish the day at the world-famous Penguin Parade. Here’s what you can expect if you take a Phillip Island Tour with Go West.
- Visit the colourful Brighton Beach boxes near Melbourne
- Take a tour to meet the animals at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Get an up close look at Australian animals including koalas, wombats, dingoes, and more
- Visit Point Grant on Phillip Island to view the Nobbies and Seal Rocks
- Stroll the coastal boardwalks to enjoy amazing panoramic views
- Finish the day at the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Where is Phillip Island?
Phillip Island is just under two hours drive south east from Melbourne. It can easily be reached by car or on a tour. Accommodation is available on the island, however it books out quickly on holidays, or race weekends. The highlight of any visit to Phillip Island is of course watching the little penguins return from feeding in the ocean and waddle across the beach to their burrows in the sand dunes. The Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach is the best place to watch this phenomenon up close, without disturbing the penguins or their natural environment.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
