Mention the words Phillip Island to most people, and they’ll immediately think of the Penguin Parade and amazing natural beauty. However, if you’re anything like me, you might not have realised that there’s a whole range of things to do and see, along with amazing food to eat!
I haven’t been to Phillip Island since I was a little girl, so jumped at the chance to head down for a weekend with my little family, thanks to the team at Phillip Island Nature Parks.
With Phillip Island only an easy 2 hours drive south of Melbourne, I was soon checked into my fabulous Airbnb accommodation and ready to explore the natural wonders that make up Phillip Island Nature Parks. Part of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere encompassing 330 native species and 1,805 hectares of wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries, woodlands and magnificent coastal scenery, Phillip Island Nature Parks are all protected and managed as part of world renowned environmental research plans.
First up, we drove from Phillip Island to neighbouring Churchill Island and headed to our first stop using our Phillip Island Nature Parks ‘3 Parks Pass’ – Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
With a 15 month old toddler who is obsessed with animals, Churchill Island Heritage Farm was paradise for Annabel! With a range of live activities including working dog demonstrations, cow milking, sheep shearing and tractor rides, it was the perfect morning out for the whole family.
Feeding the ducks and patting the HUGE Clydesdale horse was a highlight for Annabel!
After a quick afternoon nap after all the excitement at the Farm, we all rugged up for an evening viewing of the Penguin Parade! Situated an easy drive out of town, the Penguin Parade is one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions.
Watching hundreds of tiny wild penguins emerging from the freezing waters on the beach, and then climbing the hill to their burrows in the sand dunes was truly amazing.
The boardwalks are built over the sand dunes to provide a perfect balance between preserving the safety of the penguins and providing excited visitors a ‘birds eye’ (hee hee) view of these amazing little penguins heading to their homes.
My advice is to rug up (it gets pretty chilly standing in the open air) and to call ahead to find out what time the Penguins are expected in. The Penguins arrived at 5.46pm on the night we visited, which timed perfectly with bedtime!
All rugged up to visit the Penguin Parade!
After a relaxing night’s sleep after our big day, we ended our trip with a visit to the beautiful Koala Conservation Centre on Sunday morning.
Home not just to Koala’s but wallabies, echidnas, bats and birds, we loved the treetop boardwalks that provided an amazing glimpse into the Koala’s ‘home’.
I had the most amazing time on our weekend away, and am so excited to giveaway a ‘3 Parks Family Pass’ to the Phillip Island Nature Parks (valued at $104)!
For your own chance to experience the fun of the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm, tell us in the comments below, “why you’d love to visit Phillip Island Nature Parks”?
For bonus entries, you can log into the form below and complete the options – these are not mandatory, please note that by leaving your answer in the comments below, you automatically go into the draw!
The winner will be the entry deemed most creative by the judges. Entries open until 12pm Friday 19th June, 2015. Winner announced in the comments below and contacted via entering email address.
Good luck!
Fiona Rowlands
I’d love to visit Philip Island as my son is absolutely obsessed with Penguins! I’d love to surprise him with a trip to see the penguin parade, he’d be flipping out!! (Pun intended)
Claire E
The 3 parks sound amazing! I’d love to treat my nephews to a weekend of fun with the animals and nature in such a beautiful part of Australia (plus it will be secretly super-fun for me too!)
Rhonda Phillips
I remember seeing the Penguins down at Phillip Island as a child and it’s an experience all should have. Would love to see the excitement on my two little boys faces
Rhonda Phillips
Couldn’t think of a more magical experience for my two little boys. Bring on the Penguins & wildlife!
Mandy Graham
I’d love to take my boys to visit Phillip Island Nature Parks.
Danni Joyce
I’ve never taken the kids to Phillip Island and I haven’t been since I was a kid. Would love a weekend getaway.
Effie B
I want my kids to see what “real life” used to be like before the internet and electronics lol, so Churchill Island Farm would be absolutely perfect!
Jade
Dear Melbourne Girl,
I haven’t been to Phillip Island since I was a little girl either. I would really love to explore all the island has to offer and visit my old friends, the penguins! I have never been to the Koala Conservation Centre or the Churchill Island Heritage Farm, they sound amazing. I would really love to take my nieces on a wildlife adventure they will never forget. And I am really excited to pat that gorgeous Clydesdale horse too!
Thanks, Jade.
Jessie Chibber
My boyfriend and I absolutely love the penguins. They are ridiculously cute and cuddly. It would be great to have a pass to be able to explore the island while we wait for the penguins to pull into the bay.
Kate Dvornik
We love Phillip Island and animals! Perfect school holiday fun and only 40 mins away!
Ann M Sculley
My Daughter is in love with Koalas , we have never been to the Phillip island nature parks yet but planning to go in the future looks amazing .
Debrah Bassett
this is a fantastic comp fingers crossed
Sonya
Absolutely Awesome prize, would really love to make this a surprise for my kids.. They loved Happy Feet and to see real Penguins Parading on the beach, that is one big treat for us all…. Philip Island Nature Parks, where a love of wildlife sparks!……
Belinda "Bee" Ban
With school holidays coming up, I was faced with dilemma of what can we do this time! why didn’t I think of Phillip island! with so much to see and do
for the whole family, it’s the perfect mini break I’m looking for!
Melissa H
As an animal and family lover, what a great way to combine my two loves! 🙂
Melissa
My boyfriend took me to see these guys on my birthday a few years ago.
I obsessively watch the app every morning and night to see when the penguins are home.
Being from Canada, the fact that I live somewhere close to penguins is amazing and I would love to see them as much as I can while I am here!
Plus, my boyfriend would rather see them in person that through my little phone screen!
Renate Abra
We have never been to Phillip Island before and with the upcoming School Holidays this would be a fun experience for the whole entire family.
Sannie W
I live in Australia and I haven’t seen penguins yet???
Oh dear – I’ve just got to see those penguins happily waddling on that sea shore!
Becky Downey
So many things! Educational and inFARMetive, ANIMAL MAGIC, and the kds can go WILD! And I’ll admire the scenery….
Mel B
This looks absolutely wonderful! The kids would have a ball as would us big kids at heart!
Elly
It’s the most magical and spectacular place. It’s great fun for every member of the family. So many memories.
Rowena
My girls would just love the 3 park pass as there big animal lovers and im sure they would be smiling all day long!!
Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys)
I spent many wonderful school holidays visiting Phillip Island and I would love for my kids to experience the same fun too.
Ern
A fun experience the kids will love, in the outdoors of all places, away from their iPads and things that show them the world without actually having to live, experience or feel it.
Di
It’s been ages since I’ve been there. Be awesome to see the sites through adult eyes, I bet it’s still equally as exciting as when I was a little girl.
Juanita
This would be amazing….I love animal parks and zoos and sanctuaries and I’ve never been there.
Julian Philip
Our kids are in love with horses and would especially love to visit the Churchill Island Heritage Farm to pat one! We haven’t had a family get away in ages so it would be great to combine this trip and my daughter’s 8th birthday party.
Kell
I am embarrassed to say that I have lived in Western Victoria my whole life and I have never been to Phillip Island.
sam
this is a fantastic comp
Josette
It would be awesome for the whole family. My kids love animals!
Frances V
As a kid my holidays stopped at Dromana so I’ve never been but as a mum now, I’d love to take my little one so we can both experience it for the 1st time together
Fiona raw
visiting the Phillip Island Nature Parks would be the trip of a lifetime for my son, he is 14 and Penguin mad – you should see his collection of cuddly penguins, posters and dress ups. future ornithologist I believe!
Trish Leonard
I fondly remember seeing the penguins when I was in Primary School and I would love to give my sons the same fantastic experience.
Krystal Delanty
My husband and I have never been to Phillip Island. It would be awesome to experience it with our own little family now!
Natalie
I’d love this so I can take my 1 year old brother on his first trip to Phillip Island with my parents so he can experience the magic 🙂
Kim
I haven’t been to Phillip Island since a little girl as well! It would be interesting to see how much has changed!
melissa
I’ve never been and I’d like to see how the fairy penguins compare to those in WA!
Kristy
If I win it will force hubby to take his 3 girls on a very rare holiday! Won’t happen any other way, help us penguins!!
Kathy Ferguson-Clark
To see the gorgeous wildlife
Teresa nauer
it will be an amazing adventure for my family to experience together
Dhanya Samuel
I have never been to Phillip Island before but have heard loads about it especially the penguin parade. This would be a delightful opportunity to explore the Island with my little one.
jane whelan
I’m 54 years old, live in Victoria and never been. I really would love the chance to go and take the grandkids.
Charlie cola
Presently in hospital recovering from surgery, away from kids and hubby. Would love to treat family to a well deserved Phillip Island Nature Park adventure.
Kirsten W
My little munchkin loves fairy penguins and although we live near Phillip Island, we have never been able to go. Great for the holidays!
sandra martin ciccarello
fab prize
good luck one and all
Donna Trickey
Being from the ‘country’ means we have never experienced the Penguin Parade–what a great experience for the next school holidays!
ROSEMARY HARRIS
It is so bad of me. I lived on the Mornington Peninsula for over 30 years and have never had the joy of seeing anything Phillip Island has to offer. I think it is high time I lived a little and enjoyed the wonders Phillip Island has to offer with these 3 amazing nature parks.
JULIANNE
would love to take my daughter and see the penguins,as she loves penguins,and i have heard it is so nice phillip island.
Rachel K
This would be the perfect outing! It’s great to see exotic “pets” without all the work! Of course it also feeds that internal desire to learn, see something new and makes for great exercise that you don’t even realise you are doing as you enjoy yourself walking around.
Amanda Hardy
When I was a little girl, one day we were on holiday down at the beach. We’d collected little green starfish, I’d gotten to choose a new pair of neon pink sunglasses at the store, and they sold my little pony stickers too. Which was how my sister and I came to be playing shops down at the beach, where there were some big rocks and we’d chosen one each to be our storefronts. We’d been playing for more than an hour – “I have seashells in my shop! I have stickers, I have a feather, you can buy it for two rocks,” when I finally paid attention to what my shop actually was.
Which was two rocks, leaning against each other, with a little gap in the middle. And in that little gap, crouched low and huddling, right in the middle of the day… “I have penguins in my shop!”
I was ever so excited and showed everyone, and disbelieving but content to play along, first my sister and then my parents came over to stare as there were, indeed, two penguins living in my shop.
And that is my memory of Phillip Island, and it was wonderful and idyllic and utterly special to me. I’d love to share it with my own son. It’s a magical place.
Vics
With four city kids who have not experienced the beauty of Philip Island…what an incredible opportunity to experience the beauty of our coast line!
Cheryl Moulton
As I am from Sth Australia, I have never been to Philip Island, and I would love to take my grandchildren, my first visit and they just love seeing the Penguins. so much to see on Phillip Island, as well as the penguins
Karlene
Our family’s going on a take-it-slow road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne next month for our annual holiday. The penguins are on our to-do list, but the koalas and farm haven’t made it. Keen to see all three and tag you on the photos!
Michelle Sherriff
My husband and two sons need another occasion to pull on their penguin suits! It will be the perfect penguin party! 🙂
Barbara Fehmel
These funny little creatures, would enthral my family, The twin girls would be so excited seeing them in their natural habitat.
Julie
Unique and naturally beautiful, Phillip Island is the jewel of the Victorian coast.
Family fun adventures for all ages, and the gorgeous lil penguins are the highlight event of the trip!
Kylie A
I would love to take my children to see the best of what nature and wildlife has to offer.
The Llewellyn Family
Me and my partner Grew up on Phillip Island would love to take our kids make childhood memories for them too xx
The Llewellyn Family
My partner and I grew up on Phillip Island would love to take our kids make special childhood memories like we have xx
Louise Mckeon
I’d bet i’m about as obsessed with animals as your toddler is 😀
Jemma Hansen
I haven’t been to Phillip Island since I was a kid but have very distinct memories of that trip. Now I’d like to take my kids to see how special the penguins coming out of the water is
Danuta Smag
Would love to see penguins upclose and in the wild
Miranda Daniels
Just this morning as my partner and I bundled our cold selves into the car to make the early morning commute to the train station to then make the commute to work, we were joking about how we looked like penguins waddling in our jackets to keep warm. As we cranked the heater, our observation led to a conversation about what it would REALLY be like to be a penguin battling the freezing conditions. I told him that I’d heard that penguins mate for life and that the male incubates the egg of its offspring. He embraced the fact sharing session by telling me that not only do they do this, but that each new chick has a specific sonic sound that penguin parents know to distinguish their offspring from the next. Imagine the conversations we could be having if we won this holiday! 😉
Chris Drossos
I want to win Uncle of the Year!
Leanne white
Would actually love to win this for my Aunty living in Melbourne. She’s been through a lot lately and I know this would be just the perfect solution to cheer her up!
Katie
Frankly, why not?! I’ve never won anything in my life!
Fiona Brown
Would love to go again 🙂 my grandfather lived here just down the road from penguin parade brings back great memories would love to show my boys the magic again!!
Kunal Mongia
Penguin parade is the the foremost thing coming to mind with Philip Island, but would love to experience the heritage park and koalas especially with my brother in law busing from overseas for first time.
Kellie taylor
i would love to come to the Penguins and bring my children’s pa who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I would also bring my mum their nan to enjoy the excitement of the children’s faces.
eamond tomaszewski
This would be a Great opportunity to propose to my lovely Lady and bring the Kids for a unforgettable experience with such animals like Penguins and Seals Koalas and Kangaroos Bring It On
Michelle V
Just to have a break away from everything that has been going on in my life at the moment!
Just under a month ago, a dearly loved uncle passed away from cancer, and my dad has just undergone a triple bypass operation. It has been a stressful, sad and just awful time, and I would love a change of scenery from hospitals, as well as spend some quality time with my three beautiful children who have missed out on my time with them these passed few weeks/months.
Judith Senese
A short holiday with my sons, staying warm, while showing them all around an Island I loved visiting during my childhood.
Jodie Farnsworth
My kids would love this!
They have not been yet and this would be such a great school holiday treat to remember!
Stacey Johnston
What an amazing place, I’m born and bred in Bourke nsw, currently living in Echuca vic. I’ve been to Phillip Island twice and I absolutely love it, it’s a very magical place to visit never get tired off it.
Bec Nieuwenhuis
We have a weekend away book to phillip island later this year. cant wait to take my 4 kids to see the penguins and the farm. they are going to be so excited
Lorraine Kong
I love my 4 year old to experience the heart-warming scenes of the penguins coming home together as a happy loving family. After a great day out at Penguin Island, we bring home this inspirational memories!
BEC FRANCIS
would be a great family getaway! would love to see the clydes and the penguins!!!
Fran Dishon
My boys love, the cute penguins, smelly seals, kolas and farm animals. Whilst I want to relax, walk, and enjoy the scenery.
Lyndall Crisp
Would love to visit – this is on our bucket list of things to do in Victoria. Thanks 🙂
Chloe Taura
Our boys are fascinated with penguins and have never seen them up close or visited phillip island.This would be awesome during the holidays!
Maureen Hampton
Phillip Island here we come
Pack the good ole rum
We sit and watch the life go by
The beauty of it makes me cry
Jo
I would jump at the chance of going to Phillip Island. We love the animals, nature and spending time together learning new things and having fun. My son’s birthday is during the holidays and this would be ideal for a special trip allowing some spending money to buy something nice from the gift shops. 🙂
Renee Ballantyne
what a lovely family trip idea would love to win to experience with my family
AMANDA
It’s never been so black and white,
live local, never seen this sight,
Nature at my doorstep, 3 Parks so inviting,
environmental care – inspiring and exciting,
taste fresh produce, a welcoming smile,
this Melbourne Girl might stay a while!
Prue Chilcott
Congratulations to Julian P, who is the winner of the Phillip Island Nature Parks Family Pass!
Check your email Julian, you’ve got mail.
Make sure to stay tuned for more great comps and chances to win
xoxo,
Prue – DEPUTY EDITOR
Linda S
An island holiday is the most exciting of all, … and even better that you don’t need to travel interstate to experience it!