Page 448 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

446  VIC T ORIA

1Phillip Island
@ Cowes. g Cowes. n Newhaven
1300 854 334. Open 9am–5pm daily;
summer hols: 9am–6pm daily.
∑ visitphillipisland.com
The penguin parade on Phillip
Island is an extraordinary
natural spectacle. Every evening
at sunset at all times of the year,
hundreds of little penguins
come ashore at Summerland
Beach and waddle across the
sand to their burrows in the
spinifex tussocks (spiky clumps
of grass), just as their ancestors
have been doing for genera- Rock pools at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula
tions. Once ashore, the small
penguins spend their time in 2Mornington quarantine station and defence
the dunes preening themselves Peninsula post, is now part of the national
and, in summer, feeding their park. The beach at the tip of The
hungry chicks. £ Frankston. @ to most peninsula Heads and Cheviot Beach, where
towns. g Stony Point, Sorrento.
At Seal Rocks, off the rugged n Dromana (03) 5987 3078 Prime Minister Harold Holt
cliffs at the western end of the ∑ visitmorningtonpeninsula.org disappeared while surfing in
island, is Australia’s largest 1967, are both beautiful spots.
colony of fur seals. Approxi- Only an hour’s drive from
mately 16,000 of these seals Melbourne, on the east side of Environs
can be seen playing in the surf, Port Phillip Bay, the Mornington The village of Flinders is a
resting in the sun or feeding Peninsula is the city’s summer peaceful, chic seaside resort,
their pups on the rocks. Tourists and weekend getaway. From while Portsea is the summer
can watch them from the cliff Frankston down to Portsea playground of Melbourne’s rich
top or on an organized boat near its tip, the area is ideal and famous. The atmosphere
trip. There is also a large koala for relaxing beach holidays. at the remote French Island, a
colony on Phillip Island. The sandy beaches facing the short ferry trip from Crib Point,
Cape Woolamai, with its red bay are sheltered and calm, is unique, with no electricity or
cliffs and wild ocean seas, has perfect for windsurfing, sailing telephones. The island also
good walking trails, excellent or paddling, while the rugged teems with wildlife, including
bird-watching opportunities coast fronting the Bass Strait rare potoroo.
and some great surfing. The has rocky reefs, rock pools
peaceful town of Cowes is and surf beaches. 3Royal Botanic
ideal for swimming, relaxing Arthur’s Seat, a high, bush
and dining. ridge offers views of the Gardens,
The island gets very crowded peninsula. The surrounding Cranbourne
during car and motorcycle race Red Hill wineries are fast
events so you need to reserve gaining a reputation for their Off South Gippsland Hwy, 1000
accommodation fine Chardonnays and Pinot Ballarto Rd. Tel (03) 5990 2200.
£ Cranbourne. @ Cranbourne.
at these times. Noirs. Sip a glass of one of
these wines in the historic Open 9am–5pm daily. Closed 25
Dec, days of total fire ban. 7 -
village of Sorrento or take ∑ rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne
a ferry trip across the
narrow and The Royal Botanic Gardens
treacherous Rip in Melbourne are the city’s
to the beautiful pride and joy (see pp402–3), but
19th-century town they have not concentrated
of Queenscliff exclusively on native flora. The
(see p430). Cranbourne Botanic Gardens
Running the length fill that niche. Amid the lakes,
of the peninsula, hills and dunes of this bushland
the Mornington park, banksias, wattles, grevilleas,
Peninsula National casuarinas, eucalypts and pink
Park has lovely heath bloom, while wrens,
walking tracks. honeyeaters, galahs, rosellas,
Fairy penguins making their way up the sand dunes Point Nepean, cockatoos and parrots nestle
of Phillip Island formerly a among the gardens’ trees.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp495–6 and pp531–3