Penguins, Seals, and Scenery...Phillip Is

The weather was exceptional for this time of year,  not too cold wet or windy, and lots of sunshine. The holiday was great value, and we would definately go back as it was impossible to see it all.  The island was very uncommercialised, and the cost of our tours all went to the Wildlife and Nature Parks.

The Penguin Parade was a must, they were so cute.  Waiting for sunset for them to come ashore.  They walked right past us.

You were not allowed to use photography...so I photographed a postcard.


A speed boat tour out to Seal Rock, the largest seal colony in Australia. The rock was covered in them

We discovered a new bird that liked to roam free and in pairs, and were litterally every where...the Cape Barren Goose, the kids took delight in spotting them.

Coastal walks to Cape Walamai and the Pinnacles ..4 km return alongside Shearwater Birds rookeries, both sides of us..small holes hid amongst the green ground cover

Evidently most had left 2 days earlier (25 April each year) for their annual migration to the Aleutian Island Alaska some 16,000 km away to feed before they return in Sept. to go back to their rookeries at Cape Wolamai and lay one egg.

How romantic!

The view from the Nobbies boardwalk alongside the penguin huts.

Other coastal walks were to Pyramid Rock and Cowes Beach.

Amazin Things was truley amazing and kept us all entertained for hours,  we even went back for a game of mini golf next day.

Phillip Island, Victoria

The NSW school holidays have come around and we thought it was time we all needed to get away for a family holiday.  We set off first with the kids and J&J followed 2 days later.  

Phillip Island is just south of Melbourne and 5 hours south of Finley.  It is famous for it’s Little  Penguin colony which come ashore each evening and for the Grand Prix race track. Many of the islands towns are named after the Isle of Wight in England.

First couple of days: Chocolatier and Icecreamery,  Spew Hill sand dunes, Churchill Island Heritage Farm, Pelican Feeding, a Playground crawl and 6 geocaches to find - a busy couple of days.

We are staying in an Air BnB at Cowes which sleeps 11. Well equipped and very comfy. Short walk to the beach.

Spew Hill...one of Phillip Is best kept secrets.  We had it all to ourselves.

I had the final go.  We went back a couple of days later for another go, with the tide in.

Churchill Island Heritage Farm.  Once privately owned, now a conservation park run by the Phillip Island Nature Park 

Goodbye to MaDric

Friday 13th April. The day finally came around that we had to say goodbye to MaDric as he left for his new home in Hervey Bay back up in Qld.  I was quite sad, and sentimental, but knew it was time.  We’ve had some fabulous camping trips between Cairns and Melbourne.... he won’t be forgotton.

Friday was also Derek’s first anniversary of his retirement.  It has gone really fast and he is feeling on top of the world.  Lots more places to visit and friends to catch up with.  We are adjusting to life in Finley in our down time, the grand children keep us very busy. They are at a great age and lots of fun.  Sleepovers, bike riding (now all 4 can ride we all go off on our bikes) sports, adventures, and general baby sitting.

Hiking adventure with the grand kids on The Horn on top of Mt Buffalo, Vic.

Seriously? #9

Aboriginal legend says the Platypus is a cross between a duck and a rat

Wangarrata - Ovens River walk (on our bike ride)

Seriously? #8

Wangarrata - Ovens River walk

Bush Camping

We wanted to get to know MaDiE better, so no better place than a few days in National Parks and the head waters of the Murray River in the Cooryong region of Victoria.

All went well, except the 2 house batteries couldn’t sustain  the solar power during the evening that we generated during the day, and our ensuite toilet had a small leak from the flush water.   2 new batteries later, we were back in business, and Derek has fixed the leak we hope.  

A bit of hiking and walks made for a top week.

Burrowa and Pine Mountain National Park - Bluff Creek, Bluff Falls (trickle) and Campbells Lookout (lots of rock scrambling to get above the falls to the lookout)

Beautiful Gadds Bend near Jinjilic, on the Murray River - will certainly be heading back here