One of the things that we were recommended again and again if we visited Melbourne was to make an excursion to the neighboring island Phillip Island. After informing us a bit we decided to sign up to know this corner that seems to offer beautiful natural landscapes. But not only that, can you imagine attending a penguin parade who, after a long hard day at work, return in line to their homes?
Yes, penguin parade, just as you read it. Let's see, it's really not that they start to parade as if they were models, but there seems to be a very large penguin colony He returns, every day at sunset, to his favorite beach (which is his house for all intents and purposes), and they do it "parading" under the eyes of a few (many) curious. Is he Penguin Parade.
And here our doubts arose, how many curious are we talking about? We had read that it is a very popular attraction and it is usually filled with tourists, in the end we were more than we had imagined. So it is impossible not to consider whether marketing crossed the subtle line between “seeing a spectacle of nature” or “being part of animal shows”.
The good thing is that there are very strict measures so as not to interfere in the normal life of the penguins, without being disturbed or scared on their way back. To start taking photos, it is forbidden: the flash, apart from scaring them, can damage their eyesight, and in order not to risk, they prohibited the photos directly. Nor (as is obvious) can penguins be touched, nor can they be called, fed or done anything that can disrupt the natural course of things.
It is important to say that the Penguin Parade is part of a non-profit organization and that all the profits obtained from ticket sales and merchandising are used in the investigation of this species, in ecotourism and marine animal protection projects. More info here. This area is a protected natural park and the proof that things are being done well is that every year the number of penguins grows (and that every night they come back again and again!).
As for the penguins, what to say? The word to describe this experience is: brutal. We do not deny having moved a little when we saw the first ones appear jumping over the rocks, finally the penguin-curse was over (we had never managed to see penguins released)!
The blue penguins They are the smallest species in the world and little ones are without a doubt. Little ones and bellies: this season they are very chubby, so much that some had difficulties even to walk. Of course, lazy people have nothing: every day they can swim up to 10 0km to fish before returning to their beach and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
How many penguins did we see? Impossible to say. It will have been about 800 or 1,000. Really, when you see them coming out of the water and approaching the beach little by little you get goosebumps. Then, without too much haste and by rounds, they start the road to their little houses, where. In some cases, your partner awaits you with the fins open. Watching them walk, some very awkwardly, a few meters away is absolutely incredible.
This is the platform where you will wait for the penguins
But there are not only penguins on Philip Island: we saw dozens of wallabies (a kind of smaller kangaroo), some gray ducks very funny with a lemon yellow piquito ... And ...
Our tour included a visit to a farm where we could see an infinite number of pets and where we saw how the beach houses of the Australian rich people of the last century were ... And ...
And the other visit went to a Koalas sanctuary. Here we also went with the fly behind the ear, to see if it will be a tourist? But we didn't think so: they told us that the koalas had become extinct on Phillip Island a few years ago and that they are trying to reinsert them into the natural habitat of the island. The colony present in this sanctuary (about 15 koalas) have been rescued after their forests were completely burned by a fire. In the main pavilion there are a few boards where you can learn more about this curious animal.
By the way, as soon as we saw signs of not screaming at the animals and not moving the trees to get their attention, we looked at each other But who is going to do something like that? And at 10 minutes a ranger had to fight a group of tourists who, guess, were shouting at a koala with the face of What do you want from my life? Let me sleep!
One of the last stops before arriving at Pinguin Parade was at The nobbies, one of the corners that we liked so far in this area of Australia. So that people will continue to say that here, apart from kangaroos, surfers and red earth, there is nothing! Here we refuel with a legendary fish & chips (and nothing cheap), to finally come to our appointment with the penguins that were about to arrive (although we have to admit that we could see some hidden in his house * - * probably incubating or laying eggs).
During the day we could also go through the Phillip Island motorcycle circuit and, although Rober was very excited, we were undoubtedly left with the spectacle of finally discovering the beautiful and friendly penguins in their natural habitat.
How to visit Phillip Island
- If you do not have a car we recommend you sign up for a tour. We went with Gray Line, the most important tour company in Australia. The truth is that the day was great, thanks above all, to Ben, our driver-guide who has been a charm from the moment number one.
- The only negative is that the price is quite high, if you are looking for cheaper options we talked well about this tour and this (although we did not try it)
- How long does it last? We leave Melbourne at 1:00 p.m. and return around 11:30 p.m.
- Everything is included except eventual purchases and food.
Tips to enjoy Phillip Island and the Penguin Parade
- I know respectful with the environment and with animals: do not make noise, of course do not take photos or interfere with the natural course of things.
- Wrap up well: the penguins begin to arrive at sunset and in the area it is usually cool (very cool), and when we went there was quite windy.
- There is two zones to see the penguins: the platform that we have taught you before, with somewhat more expensive prices, and another platform on the beach, more distance from the path they usually travel. We, although we were not in this second, we believe it is worth paying a little more for the nearest platform.
- If when you arrive there are no more frontline seats don't worry: you will be able to see the penguins alike. In addition the parade lasts a long time, so people will soon get tired and leave, it is time to move around and get to the closest to the road. There are some tours that leave less time than ours (hehe), so in the end we were very few who enjoyed this wonder.
- The food in the center of The Noobles It is not very cheap (15 $ approx) but the fish & chips were very tasty. What was very expensive were the drinks, so don't forget to bring a bottle of water to save a little money (the same in our bus there was water and glasses available).
- Here you can see the house of some live penguins 🙂
- FAADA article about Philipp Island.
* Photocredit: penguins.org.au
