february-2010

HOT SPOT
PHILLIP ISLAND
44 FEBRUARY 2010
Phillip Island offers much more
than just birds and motorbikes
WORDS ELIZABETH QUINN
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: You won’t believe
your eyes in The Shrinking Room; peer into
tidal pools for surprises; meet David at Panny’s
Factory; come face to face with the residents of
Churchill Island Heritage Farm; say hello to the
natives at the Koala Conservation Centre
The
once-sleepy holiday destination
of Phillip Island is well and truly
waking up. The nightly penguin parade and the
annual Grand Prix are still the biggest shows
in town, but visitors to this stretch of coastline
are discovering the other face of the island,
with its promise of fun for everyone from
families and foodies to adventurers.
The new Koala Conservation Centre
features an interactive visitor education foyer,
while elevated boardwalks provide close
encounters of the furry kind, sign-posting the
presence of individual treetop inhabitants as
they sleep peacefully in the breeze.
Churchill Island Heritage Farm at
Newhaven has its share of loveable residents.
This working farm, with its heritage buildings
and gardens, provides daily demonstrations
of old-style farming practices, and its animal
nursery is a magnet for children of all ages.
Don’t miss the farmers’ market held here on
the fourth Saturday of the month. A ‘3 Park
Pass’ is an economical option for families and
includes a visit to the Penguin Parade.