VICTORIA
Wild times on
Phillip Island
MEG LAW
From the world-famous penguin parade to seeing Australia’s largest fur seal colony, MEG LAW and her family discover the best things to do during a stay at NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
When we think of island life, it conjures up visuals of palm trees swaying, cocktails in a tropical oasis, white sandy beaches, and bright orange sunsets. But as we crossed the San Remo Bridge to Phillip Island, with dark clouds looming above, we knew this island escape was going to be a little different from the norm. Over the bridge and onto the island, we were edging closer to nature and wildlife and our heads were swimming with possibilities.
Opening image: Exploring Phillip Island
Image above: A nature walk on the spectacular coast
Images: Churchill Island hairy ‘coo’, Daisy and Jasper exploring the island, NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park, NRMA cabin life
A perfect destination for nature-loving families
With its white sandy beaches, spectacular rugged coastline, and world-class surfing beaches, just two hours’ drive from Melbourne, this wild, untamed haven everything this nature loving-family could want. Penguins waddle to their burrows, seals dive amongst the rocks, koalas nestle in trees, while surfers carve up beach breaks. It’s also home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals, and an incredible array of birdlife. We were especially keen to spot penguins and seals, and even visit the ‘hairy coos’ on neighbouring Churchill Island.
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park makes the ideal base
Pulling into NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park, we drove up to our sea view cabin perched right above the sand dunes. When they said this park was “beachside”, they were not kidding. As my tween daughter testified with glee, “Mum, this is legit ON the beach!”. After settling into our spacious two-bedroom cabin and tossing a coin for the kids to settle who has the ever-popular top bunk (an age-old argument that happens every holiday), it was time to soak up the salty air and enjoy a cheeky G&T on the veranda. We kicked back on the deck and watched the kids fossick for nature’s treasures in the rockpools, pelicans on the shore and locals fishing off the jetty as the waves rolled in. Location, location, location! The pet-friendly holiday park has a range of campsites and cabins to choose from. It is walking distance from the town of Cowes and has a wood-fired pizza oven, a seasonal campfire, a recreation room, playground and games such as giant Jenga and snakes and ladders on the lawn. A kids’ club is available during the Victorian school holidays. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the island.
Wildlife Coast Cruise
For a great family adventure, we think it would be hard to beat the Wildlife Coast Cruise. We loved feeling the saltwater spray on our faces during the two-hour trip aboard the Kasey Lee catamaran to Seal Rocks, where thousands of fur seals splash and play in the waves. Located two kilometres offshore from the Nobbies Reserve, it is home to Australia's largest breeding colony of approximately 30,000 Australian fur seals. As we learned fun facts about these playful creatures from the friendly crew, the seals swam up to greet the boat, entertaining us with games and tricks.
Churchill Island
Whenever we visit Phillip Island, we also enjoy crossing the bridge to Churchill Island — a working farm with an historic homestead, gardens, and walking tracks. It’s a great spot for families, with loads of different hands-on immersive experiences available throughout the year. Children can meet the farm animals, take a wagon ride, help with the cow milking, view sheep shearing and whip cracking demonstrations, and see the working dogs round up the sheep!
Images: Dad and kids enjoying the Wildlife Coast Cruise, Churchill Island, Seal Rocks
Images: Phillip Island Penguin Parade, The penguin parade viewing platform © Visit Victoria
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
There is something so magical about this bucket list experience. Thousands of people from all over the world gather every evening to watch in wonder as hundreds of Little Penguins waddle in from the sea at dusk then clamber to their nests in the dunes of the Summerland Peninsula. It is easy to see why this is one of the most popular experiences on Phillip Island. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t playing ball and we walk along the boardwalk in the rain, before being ushered on to the tiered seating overlooking the beach. But nothing was going to rain on this penguin parade!
Someone in the crowd excitedly points to some tiny little silhouettes in the distance making their way along the shoreline towards the rocks. Excitement builds and little kids and big kids alike are completely captivated by the site of around a thousand ‘little penguins’ coming in from a day at sea.
"There’s no doubt Phillip Island is a fun and vibrant playground with wild, untamed wide-open spaces to fill the soul."
Antarctic Journey
The Antarctic Journey experience at the Nobbies Centre is probably the closest most of us will get to experience the most extreme continent on earth during our lifetime. This hands-on, interactive experience takes you on a virtual journey through Antarctica, where you can compare your thermal image to that of a penguin, select a seafood meal at the interactive dinner table, and explore the landscape and wildlife that calls Antarctica home.
There’s no doubt Phillip Island is a fun and vibrant playground with wild, untamed wide-open spaces to fill the soul.
In partnership with NRMA Parks and Resorts
Images: Daisy and Jasper captivated by the Antarctic Journey experience, Kids loving the NRMA cabin and bunks, Mum and Jasper enjoy a coastal stroll, See the penguin parade at Phillip Island © Visit Victoria
Fun penguin facts
- Penguins waddle because it saves energy compared to walking straight
- Penguins can sleep at sea, dozing on the surface of the water
- A penguin can travel more than 1000 kilometres in the first year of life
- Parents can recognise their chicks by their calls
