penguin parade, summerlands beach
The Penguin Parade is a MUST DO for any trip down to the Island.
Waddle-waddle-waddle - a waddling we go! The Penguin Parade is a MUST DO for any trip down to the Island. Each night over 500 little penguins make their way up the beach to their burrows and we are lucky enough to watch and even get a front row seat to the action.
You have the choice of 3 sections to sit and view this daily waddle. The prized ticket is for an underground viewing - the best seats in the house. The groups of birds walking centimetres from the windows, pausing momentarily to stare right back at you! This intimate underground viewing room is capped at 70 people and is the perfect choice in the middle of winter when the weather is unpredictable.
The Penguins Plus option is another upgrade option that is well worth it as your little ones can really get a great view of the other little ones as they meander under and past the boardwalks. The other option is general viewing where you get a wonder vantage point of the shoreline and the penguins crossing the sand.
Regardless of your ticket option, you will get to see and hear the little penguins up close as many make their way home to bed up around the main boardwalks. Unfortunately no photos can be taken of the parade itself to share - I guess you will just have to take the family and see them for yourselves.
The brand new visitors centre is great too. Some great video displays let you get up close to the digital version of the birds - without having to get wet!
Mammas special mentions: The Mammas just love Phillip Island. For all the best things to do with the fam, check out Mamma Knows South’s guide to the Island HERE.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
the penguins arrive at around sunset so check local times closer to when you plan your trip
FOR MORE FUN IDEAS AT PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS CLICK HERE
wanna know more? click here
Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Phillip Island
click here for more great family experiences in Melbourne's south
koala conservation centre, rhyll
The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is quality eco-education - Koalas in their natural habitat with boardwalks allowing visitors to get a closer view.
Our furry friends the koala - or as in Mamma’s house - ko-arrr-la - are right at home in this eucalyptus haven. The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is quality eco-education. Visitors walk through the information centre and learn all about the ecosystems as well as the sights, sounds and smells that awaits. The feature of the centre are the natural habitats with tree top boardwalks, bringing visitors up a little closer to the fluffy little fellas. As it isn’t your typical zoo and exhibit type set up, you have to have your eyes peeled, voices low and a bit of patience up your sleeve. Rangers record each day how many koalas you are likely to spot on each walkway - very much like a game of eye-spy. Mamma found all on the first boardwalk, but only saw one out of four on the other. After you have found them all in the gum trees do take a stroll along the paths through the native bushland. You might even spot a wallaby or two.... maybe four.
Mamma’s special mention: The best way to see all the great nature parks that are on offer at Phillip Island is with a 3 Park Pass and can be purchased at the Visitor Information Centre at Newhaven, 500m as you arrive onto the Island. There are lots of options and can include the Penguin Parade, Arctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island.
Phillip Island Road, Phillip Island
garden world, braeside
There is something a little special about this collection of nurseries in Braeside. It is guarded by DINOSAURS. You really can’t miss them as you travel along Springvale Road and I’m pretty sure the kids won’t let you simply drive pass without begging you to stop.
There is something a little special about this collection of nurseries in Braeside. It is guarded by DINOSAURS. You really can’t miss them as you travel along Springvale Road and I’m pretty sure the kids won’t let you simply drive pass without begging you to stop. Gardenworld is set up as a collection of nurseries all specialising in something a little different such as lotus or succulents - pretty much all you need for your next garden project. What makes this an iconic East adventure are the dinosaurs that are tucked amongst the cacti, the triceratops watching over the water features and the enormous skeleton guarding the Collectors Corner. Garden World makes a great morning out and a great dinosaur hunting exercise. Even some other animals make an appearance towering over the tube stock. Now you don’t have to stress, they are certainly not real. Mamma checked and knocked on their backs to prove to Bubs that they were in fact pretend - however, they may be a little scary for the toddlers of the family.
Mamma’s special mention: With a cafe on site as well, best grab a coffee for the trip home! Or you could even pop over to the Estate over the road and search out Tarennet Reserve for some mega-bug discoveries!
Keep your eyes peeled on the events page on the Gardenworld website for some cool things to do with the kids - including these school holidays with the FREE Reptile Show!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
9am - 5pm
7 days
PRICE
FREE (apart from your nursery supplies)
wanna know more? click here
