Phillip Island

The reasons to visit Phillip Island are many, but there is one that impresses nearly everyone. It happens every day, around sundown, when some of the local wildlife put on one of nature's great shows: the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.

Every night of the year these delightful little creatures waddle out of the ocean and up to their burrows, as punctual as a city banker. This is the most popular wildlife attraction in Australia, with over half a million visitors each year. There is something miraculous, even moving, about these brave little birds that swim ashore from bracing Bass Strait, gather in groups, and then march up the beach to their dune burrows. They pass within metres of spellbound spectators, seemingly oblivious that they are the stars of a marvellous natural stage show. But they are not the only Phillip Island native that follows a tight schedule.

In September each year, short-tailed shearwaters arrive on the island, having completed their annual migration around the Pacific. They've earned a rest, so they stay until April, only to return the following September.

The wildlife attractions don't stop there. Up to 16,000 fur seals head for Seal Rocks each October-December for breeding season. And anyone interested in getting a close-up look at a koala can visit the Phillip Island Nature Park. The island is home to many of these iconic Australian animals, but they can be hard to spot in the wild. One foolproof method of watching them is by strolling the treetop boardwalk at the Koala Conservation Centre. Other key stops include historic Churchill Island, and the natural attractions of Rhyll Inlet, Woolamai and the Nobbies.

Not everything is focused on the natural world. Phillip Island has hosted motor racing for the past 50 years. Racing enthusiasts gather in their tens of thousands for the Superbike World Championship in March and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October.

All the action, both on and off the track, is just 140 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, and less than two hours' drive. The island is accessed by a long bridge across The Narrows from the fishing town of San Remo. The largest town, Cowes, has a range of accommodation from caravan parks to luxury guesthouses.

Go to Visit Victoria (Phillip Island) for further information.