PHILLIP ISLAND
Phillip Island is a great destination for a family getaway. Under two hours drive from Melbourne, it offers diverse accommodation to choose from, wildlife experiences, and plenty of opportunities to get into the water.
San Remo is the last town before leaving the mainland and the gateway to Phillip Island. Drop into the famous local fishing co-op to pick up a fresh lobster and watch the local pelicans descend on the San Remo wharf for their 11.30am daily feed.
The first town on the island is the small fishing village of Newhaven. Popular place for fishing from the pier, surfinf one of the best surf beaches in Victoria, walking along the beautiful Cape Woolamai or exploring nearby historic Churchill Island.
On the south-east tip of the island is the quiet village of Rhyll. Wander through the nearby Koala Conservation Centre and Woodland to see koalas at close range or view birds as you walk through the famous wetlands at Rhyll Inlet. Cowes, the main commercial centre on Phillip Island, has a wealth of charming cafes and upmarket restaurants for visitors to enjoy.
Take a wildlife cruise to the large fur seal colony on Seal Rocks or enjoy watching hundreds of Little Penguins returning to their burrows at the nightly Penguin Parade at nearby Summerland Beach. Also popular with visitors are the koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre, where a boardwalk lets you take a glimpse into the cuddly marsupial's tree-top home.
The western tip of the island ends in The Nobbies, a strange-looking rock structure reached at low tide by a basalt causeway. Two offshore islands nearby offer fabulous views of the coastline, while the furthest has a population of some 12,000 Australian fur seals. Birdwatchers will love Rhyll Inlet on the north coast, where you can spot a host of wading birds such as spoonbills, oyster catchers, herons and egrets as well as rare bird life. Swan Lake is an important habitat for black swans.
The crisp and pristine waters of Western Port Bay which surround Phillip Island feature some of the most outstanding scuba diving. Divers flock to the island to descend the clear, deep waters rich in exciting sea life and reefs.
One of the most popular diving spots, particularly among advanced divers is the Pinnacle, a towering kelp-covered granite rock which rises from a depth of 50 metres to within 10 metres of the surface.
Extraordinary fish life on the vertical walls is a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. To get to the Pinnacle, take a boat from San Remo.
Another favourite is Collins Cave. It features a small reef with towering vertical walls that extend almost to the surface, swim-throughs and an endless variety of colourful fish and crayfish. Don't be surprised if you're approached by a curious fur seal. Phillip Island is home to Australia's largest colony of these tame creatures.
Many divers come to Phillip Island to explore the scuttled bucket dredge wreck of the George Kermode, located off Smiths Beach and Cunningham Bay. The vessel is completely intact, upside down on its superstructure. What's exciting is that it is still in excellent condition and is easy to penetrate. Originally scuttled to form an artificial reef for temperate fish life, the wreck is more than 100 metres long. Night diving on this wreck is excellent when there is a full moon and calm conditions.
