The Penquins of Phillip Island

This past weekend Iral and I went down to Phillip Island about a 75 minute drive south of the city. It's a small island with a huge tourist population. A great place to surf, swim or stroll the beaches. The island has 3 main towns, Newhaven, Summerland and the biggest town called Cowes, (yep, sounds like more than one cow). There are several smaller residential areas too. But the places mentioned have at least a general store and A restaurant. There are 2 main attractions beside all the fun beach things to do. There is a world class grand prix race track that hosts car and motorcycle races from all over the world. While we were there we heard that an unexpected race recently took place when the scheduled track in Dubai had a problem. There's also the famous Penguin Parade. Many of my co-workers have told me over and over again it's a thing you must do.




Iral and I headed out about 10am and the plan was to find a caravan (RV) park to spend the night and sleep in Tommy the Tank. Once we arrived on the island about noon we headed right for the penguin park and got our tickets for the exclusive viewing area. $40 per person instead of $25 but we would be mere feet away from these guys as they came ashore at dusk. Since it was early in the day the place was deserted and this gave a great opportunity to do some exploring without the bus loads of international tourist. We strolled along the beach exploring the tide pools and a dead penguin we found washed up on the shore.

Our exclusive seating area held 150 people. The general seating area was much larger and a capacity of 500. It was hard to believe that 650 people would show up night after night to watch penguins. But trust me the do! After our stroll we headed into Cowes for some lunch and to find a caravan park. As it turned out there was something going on at the race track and just about every place in town was booked up. After about 90 minutes of driving in and out of every hotel, motel and caravan park. We grabbed a tourist book and started making phone calls. We found a nice little place on the bay side (north) in Newhaven. Julie our hostess ran a 4 unit cottage on a very quiet street with a view of the bay. Iral relaxed for a little while and I practiced. About 5pm we head to the pizza joint Julie recommended and grabbed a bottle of wine which we enjoyed by the beach. Then another stroll on the beach before heading back to Summerland and the penguin parade about 8pm when we arrived and the parking area was nearly full. By purchasing our tickets earlier in the day we didn't have to wait in any lines and were able to walk right to the seating area and got a spot in the front row. Our Park Ranger gave us the guidelines, No standing, keep control of the kids to allow others to enjoy the events and ABSOLUTELY NO PICTURE taking with or without the flash. Not only did he tell us this but it was posted about 15 timed between the entrance and the seating area. The ranger explained that these penguins are the smallest type sea birds and stand about 13" tall. They're found on the southern coast of mainland Australia, The Tasmanian and New Zealand coasts. They are an endangered species and that is a great time to view them, mating season was in full swing and many borrows had young in them.

Right on scheduled the little guys and gals starting waddling up the beach in small groups of 5 to 10. As dusk fell into night the groups got larger and in all there were probably 500 that walked past us. They would climb the first small sand dune and take a break right in front of our platform. Some would then preen or just catch their breath. Some were very brave and pushed through the masses. Others were skittish and ran for cover under the platform. All of them were just the cutest little things I'd seen since coming to Australia.

As the evening progressed Iral and I were able to keep scooting closer and closer to the prime viewing spot as others left the area. Once the crowd of creatures thinned and our ranger seem to be occupied elsewhere, I did exactly what I was told not to do (you know I had to, just cause they said I couldn't) I snapped a picture. Now before you think I'm a completely terrible person. I used the large towel we brought to cover our legs from the wind as cover. I managed to turn off the flash and then I'd bring the camera out and quickly shoot without really aiming. It took about 5 tries to finally get a good shot. But I got it and I didn't get busted by a ranger. As we walked back up the boardwalk to the main building we followed the pathway and got several more chances to see the cute little guys as they headed for home. The size crowds were quite surprising. People were massed on the boardwalk, in the gift shop, at the coffee stand and in the parking areas.

Then it was time for the people parade. A long line of cars heading back to Cowes and their own borrows for the evening. Iral and I made it home all the way across the island in about 15 minutes. We finished another bottle of wine in our room and watched a little TV before drifting off to sleep.

In the morning we took a long walk along Cape Woolamai (Wool-a-may). We spent about 3 hours out there enjoying the view of the coastline and the surfers. Near noon it was time to head back to town. Both of us had things to do to get ready for work on Monday and this was just a short trip anyway.

Happy birthdays go to all the people I mentioned before and to a few that slipped my mind. Jamie Snook, Effy Sadah and Songbok Lee. Next entry will probably be the before mentioned Thanksgiving dinner in early December.

I hope everyone has a GREAT Thanksgiving and you all eat way too much food. One good thing about being here is its summer time during the holidays so the meals are most modest and you don't put on 10lbs during the holidays.

Take care and COME VISIT me!