If I ask where to look at penguins, I believe that 90% of people may first think of Antarctica, and the South Pole is not going to be able to go, the climate is cold, the road is far away, and the lack of entanglement will be an obstacle. However, the charismatic penguins are not only found in Antarctica.
A fairy penguin on Philip island
According to statistics, there are 17 species of penguins in the world, all of which live in the southern hemisphere, while more than 30,000 of the world's smallest penguins live on Philip Island, and adult penguins are only about 30 centimeters tall.
Philip Island, in the south of Melbourne, is also known as Penguin Island. Little penguins come back here every day when the sun sets, forming a once-in-a-lifetime penguin homing spectacle. The little penguin swims to the deep sea foraging one to two hundred kilometers off the shore during the day on the island of leave. After sunset, a tiny penguin passes by with food in its mouth, ready to go back to feeding the nesting penguin, baby. The chubby, charismatic look of the little penguin was really adorable.
The little penguins in line when they get ashore.
It is suggested that you arrive at the scenic spot one hour before the penguin returns. You can visit the visitors' exhibition hall in advance, replenish the energy at the coffee bar, have a lobster meal, and after dusk, Staff will guide tourists from all over the world to sit in order on the beach, waiting for the penguins to return to their nests.
Tips：
When watching penguins return to their nests, they are not allowed to take pictures and cameras, because they are afraid that man-made light will stimulate the eyes of young penguins, so the island is under light control at this time, and only a few miniscule incandescent lamps are installed along the seaside. More than a thousand meters by the sea there are only a few small bulbs that can only be seen on the shore.
A charismatic fairy penguin
How to get to Philip island
Philip Island, which is famous for its penguins, has a large number of tourists visiting every year. Although there are airports on Philip Island, most of them depart from Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. How to reach Philip Island has become a headache for many visitors. This article will give you a detailed description of the travel from Melbourne to Philip Island, you can choose according to their own circumstances.
1. Self-driving trip
If you have an international driver's license, or a Chinese driver's license and translation, you can easily rent a car in Melbourne and drive yourself to Philip Island! From Melbourne (pictured at point A), follow MonashFreeway (M1), turn south towards SouthGippslandHighway (A420), then cross Philip Island to SanRemo, (point B) for an average of 90 minutes. On the island, you can follow the signs to go to various scenic spots.
Melbourne to Philip Island self-driving Line
Tips：
It is recommended to use GPS navigation after renting wifi at home, so that it can be more accurate and easy to reach the destination.
[法] traffic regulations
In Australia, the most important traffic rule is on the left. When driving, you must fasten your seat belt and carry your driving license with you, or you will be fined. In Victoria, the maximum speed of roads is usually 100 km / h and some sections of highways are 110 km / h. For more information about safe driving in Melbourne and Victoria, visit VicRoads's website. You can also get the Victoria Road Traffic Manual (Victorian Road Traffic Handbook). At any VicRoads office or bookstore.
[法] car licence
A visitor's license will be available in Australia for three months, with an identifiable photo attached to the license, and the type of car you intend to drive must match the type indicated on the license. If you drive for more than three months, you must have a Victorian driver's license.
Ring turn
Circular turn is a common road traffic rule in Australia. In order to keep the trams unobstructed, vehicles that need to turn right must first turn into the left lane to turn right at some intersections of the city. The intersection that needs to make a hook turn will be marked with a clear indication.
When making a hook turn, drive to the left lane and wait for the traffic light on the leftmost side of the road. When the light turns orange and there is no vehicle on the opposite lane, turn right.
2. Other ways
Sign up for a half-day tour from Melbourne to Philip Island, which saves you a lot of trouble and is simple and convenient. It is easier to appreciate the elegance and loveliness of Australian penguins.
Above is the way to travel from Melbourne to Philip Island, reasonable choice can be twice the effort.
Penguin homing opening hours
Penguins arrive at the beach at sunset every night, usually at about 10, and then swing to their nests, not to mention how cute it is. So be sure to check the penguin homing calendar before or during a tour to determine when they will arrive. It is suggested to arrive an hour in advance and wait for the arrival of the penguin.
Reference time of landing of penguins with different seasons
Recommended viewing method
Depending on the distance and angle, there are three different ways to watch a baby penguin, that is, three different types of tickets, so that visitors can feel the different experiences brought by cute penguins, so let me introduce them one by one:
1. Penguin homing (regular version of) General Viewin
Reference fares (Australian dollars): 26 per adult, 13 per child
Penguin homing is one of the most popular attractions in Philip Island Nature Park, and you can hear penguins "whooping" in close range and watch the little penguins swoop from the sea to the cave. Penguin is a unique species of penguins in Australia, small shape, simple and lovely. For thousands of years, little penguins, whether cold or hot in winter, go home along this road in the evening, and are very appreciative.
If you are also interested in other attractions on the island, you can upgrade the tickets to the "three Garden package", which is even more valuable, and see two other wonderful attractions-the koala Conservation Center and the Churchill Island ruins Farm (Churchill Island Heritage Farm),. All you have to do is go beyond the value of the price!
Penguin homing viewing platform
2. Close viewing Penguins Plus
Reference fares (Australian dollars): 50 per adult, 25 per child
The new penguin homing upgrade was developed by Philip Island Nature Park in collaboration with RACV. The stands are located on the south coast of Philip Island, near the main passage of penguin homing. The upgraded platform not only provides visitors with the most spectacular view of the sea, but also the best place to watch penguin homing.
3. Subsurface Underground Viewing
Reference fares (Australian dollars): 65 per adult, 33 per child
Experience RACV's latest underground viewing technology that allows you to look up and watch penguins homing in close range. This stunning activity, restricted by the space, accommodates only 70 visitors and, in a comfortable indoor setting, experiences the wonderful feeling of penguins passing by.
Viewing platform on the upper, middle and lower floors
Philip Island Nature Park Penguin Conservation Program
If you are interested, you can join us in the effort to protect Little Blue Penguins and their (Summerland Peninsula) habitat on the Summer Land Peninsula.
Philip Island Nature Park Penguin Conservation Program
Since the early 20th century, the small blue penguin colony on Phillip Island has been extinct—mostly due to the loss and destruction of penguin habitat caused by the introduction of carnivores such as foxes. The Penguin Foundation is responsible for funding an environmental program run by park administrators at the Phillip Island Nature Park to completely eliminate foxes on Phillip Island and restore disturbed penguin habitats to their natural state.
If you are willing to support these conservation programs, you can consider making donations.
Donors can contribute to the conservation effort through donor programs (including adoption of penguins). Donations can also be made through grants, sponsorship, cooperation and in-kind support.
Let's join together to watch the penguins, protect the penguins in the ranks to come!
（分析研究经验做出结论） sum up
Thousands of years ago, the penguins built their nests in the sand dunes of Philip Island and came home early and late every day, no matter when they went to sea, and even if the night did not see them, they had always followed a fixed route back to their caves for millennia. The time to return to the island is as accurate as man-made timing, and we have to admire the magic of nature.
Penguin homing is one of Australia's most popular wildlife landscapes and a must-see attraction for visitors to Melbourne, especially for parents with their children, perfect for family vacations and return to nature.
Author: new Shangwei Traveller Butle
