Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

SIDE TRIPS FROM MELBOURNE 565
research and breeding purposes. Visitors can get quite close to them, especially on
the elevated boardwalk, which lets you peek into their treetop homes. For the best
viewing come around 4pm, when the ordinarily sleepy koalas are on the move.
At Fiveways, Phillip Island Tourist Road, Cowes & 03/5952 1307. A$5.60 (US$3.65) adults, A$2.60
(US$1.70) children under 16, A$13.80 (US$9) family (up to 4 kids). Daily 10am–5pm.
Phillip Island Penguin Reserve Kids The Penguin Parade takes place every
night of the year at dusk, when hundreds of little penguins appear at the water’s
edge, gather together in the shallows, and waddle up the beach toward their burrows
in the dunes. They’re the smallest of the world’s 17 species of penguins,
standing just 33cm (13 in.) high, and they’re the only penguins that breed on the
Australian mainland. Fences and viewing stands were erected in the 1960s to protect
the nesting areas. Flash photography is banned because it scares the little guys.
Wear a sweater or jacket, since it gets chilly after the sun goes down. A kiosk selling
food opens an hour before the penguins turn up.
If you get to Phillip Island on your own and don’t have a car, the Penguin
Parade Bus (& 03/5952 1042 or 04/1736 0370) will pick you up from your
hotel. The round-trip price is A$19 (US$12) for adults and A$11 (US$7.15) for
children and includes a pre-booked ticket for the Penguin Parade.
Summerland Beach, Phillip Island Tourist Rd., Cowes. & 03/5951 2800. www.penguins.org.au. Admission
A$14 (US$9.10) adults, A$7 (US$4.55) children 4–13, A$35 (US$23) families (up to 4 children). Visitor center
opens daily at 10am; penguins arrive at sunset. Reservations for the Penguin Parade are essential in summer
when tickets can be difficult to get, and on weekends and public holidays year-round.
ACCOMMODATIONS YOU CAN AFFORD
The Amaroo Park YHA, 97 Church St., Cowes (& 03/5952 2548; fax 03/5952
3620; www.yha.com.au) has campsites and dorms beds for A$12 (US$7.80), doubles
for $45 (US$29), family rooms with shared bathroom for A$61 (US$40),
family rooms with bathroom for A$79 (US$51), and cabins, also for A$79
(US$51). Ask about packages.
Penguin Hill Country House B&B This private home with views over sheep
paddocks to Bass Strait is within walking distance of the Penguin Parade. Each
room has good views and is stocked with antiques (as is much of the house) and
queen-size beds. Two have an attached bathroom with shower, and the third has
a private bathroom across the hall. There’s a TV and a phone in the cozy lounge.
The hosts can pick you up from Cowes.
At Backbeach and Ventnor roads. (RMB 1093, Cowes, Phillip Island, VIC 3922). &/fax 03/5956 8777. 3
units. A$130 (US$85) double. Rates include cooked breakfast. AE, MC, V. Not suitable for children. Amenities:
TV lounge; tour desk; business center; room service (7am–11pm); coin-op laundry; nonsmoking rooms. In
room: TV, fax, hair dryer, iron.
Worth a Splurge
Rothsaye on Lovers Walk The penguins are just down the road, and
the beach is right on the doorstep—who could ask for anything more? The two
suites here are adjacent to the owner’s home, and the one-bedroom cottage is set
slightly apart. All rooms come with antiques and king-size beds. You also get a
fruit basket, free fishing gear, beach chairs and umbrellas, magazines, and fresh
flowers. Lovers Walk, a romantic floodlit path, leads from the doorstep to the
center of Cowes. The owners also have a new beachside property nearby called
Abaleigh on Lovers Walk. The two gorgeous apartments here come with a
kitchen, barbecue, and good water views. They cost A$215 (US$140) a night.
2 Roy Ct., Cowes 3922. &/fax 03/5952 2691. www.rothsaye.com. 4 suites, 1 cottage. A$140–A$190
(US$91–US$124) suite; A$130–A$170 (US$85–US$111) cottage. Breakfast is included. MC, V. Children not