Phillip Island

Victoria’s most well known island is located two hours’ drive south-east of Melbourne, a haven for surfers, nature lovers and petrol heads alike. Phillip Island is the venue of Australia’s Moto GP event each October, but there’s so much more to the place than just a race track. The beach at Cape Woolamai is one of Victoria’s premier surfing spots, and the rock pools and ancient pink granite rising out of the ocean provides a spectacular backdrop for the waves. The boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Centre help visitors come face-to-face with some new furry friends. And the biggest attraction scampers across the sand of Summerland Beach every evening, when a healthy colony of little penguins returns to their burrows after a long day fishing at sea. Grab a good spot on the Penguin Parade viewing platform for a front-row seat to this adorable show.