Penguins at sunset on Phillip Island.
Lee Atkinson explores a nook known for its motorsport and penguins but which offers much more.
Why go?
Wildlife,wild surf and wild coastlines with spectacular cliff-top walking trails are the three drawcards of Phillip Island,about a two-hour drive from Melbourne.
What it's known for
Fast bikes,and penguins,are the island's most famous attractions. Home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix each October,as well as the Superbike World Championship and the V8 Supercar Series,it's one of the most scenic racetracks in the world,although I doubt the racers have much time to admire the panoramic ocean views - it's also one of the fastest tracks in the world. There's a display on the history of motorsport at the track,and you can take a guided circuit tour,ride a go-kart or buckle up for a few hot laps with a racing driver (phillipislandcircuit.com.au). The famous penguin parade,when hundreds of little penguins come out of the sea at Summerlands Beach at dusk and waddle up the hill to their burrows,attracts thousands of visitors a night. There are two viewing platforms and a number of tours:prices start at $22 for adults,$11 for kids,but the best is the Penguin Plus ($44 for adults,$22 for kids,$110 for families),where you get a prime viewing position and share the experience with only 150 others,rather than the crowds at the main platform.penguins.org.au.
What you didn't know ...
Penguins aren't the only birds to call Phillip Island home. Each year 23 million short-tailed shearwaters (also known as muttonbirds) migrate to southern Australia from the Bering Sea near Alaska,15,000 kilometres away. About a million arrive on Phillip Island in late September to mate and stay until April raising their chicks. Watching them arrive at sunset is quite a spectacle. The best place to see them is Cape Woolamai.
What's new
Artfusion is a new sculpture and glass studio and art gallery where you can watch the artists at work and buy their work at half the price you'd get them for in Melbourne galleries. You'll find the centre at the roundabout at Anderson,just before you get to San Remo. Open Thursday to Monday,10am-5pm.artfusionstudioandgallery.com.