Outer Edge | Page 27

FREE The epitome of wildlife in Victoria all seems to merge into one amazing destination and if you’ve never been, Phillip Island is by far one of Australia’s best adventures. Just a 90 minute drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is an ideal place for nature lovers and adventure junkies. From penguins to koalas, race tracks to coastal cruises, there is something for everyone. Phillip Island Nature Parks is a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing you the best the region has to offer, in a way that is eco efficient and educational. One of the most popular attractions by far is the Penguin Parade where you can watch as these tiny creatures cross the beach, from the icy waters to their homes among the sand dunes, where they are known to play, chatter and socialise: in full view of an audience. For another tour option to get you up close and personal with one of our iconic marsupials, the Koala Conservation Centre has you walking amongst the tree top boardwalks through their world, allowing you to come face to face with koalas in their natural habitat, the Australian bush. New to Phillip Island is the Antarctic Journey, a virtual tour that takes you into the world of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It includes three levels, from the story of the conservation of the Summerland Peninsula and its penguin population; to the interactive and informative experiences at The Lab; and finally an audio visual spectacle that puts you in the heart of the action. You’ll feel as though you’re floating on ice, and you’ll want to reach out and pat the penguins or stroke a seal. An amazing experience like this is found nowhere else in Australia. A tour of Churchill Island Heritage Farm takes you back in time and allows you to explore the dairy farm, and get involved in wagon rides, sheep shearing and whip cracking; while an EcoBoat tour will speed you along Phillip Island’s spectacular coastline to see Australia’s largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks. If you want to experience all of the above, Phillip Island Nature Parks provides a 4 PARKS PASS bundle package that gives you the best of all worlds! Find out more on their website. https://penguins.org.au