Journal destination
Stories from this city location. Explore published field notes, guided trips, and local perspectives.
The collection
01At dusk on Summerland Beach, hundreds of little penguins shuffle ashore in one of Australia’s most durable wildlife spectacles. This guide explains how to experience the Penguin Parade responsibly—what to expect, when to go, and how best to plan the trip from Melbourne or Cowes.
02At Phillip Island Wildlife Park the wildlife doesn’t hide behind glass — kangaroos graze nearby, emus investigate visitors, and the island’s conservation ethic turns every encounter into a lesson. Here’s how to make the most of it.
03Phillip Island Nature Parks is where careful infrastructure meets wild behavior: watch little penguins return to shore, trace windswept cliff paths at The Nobbies, and spot koalas without leaving the boardwalks. Practical, accessible, and deeply rewarding.
04A short ferry or drive from Melbourne, Churchill Island compresses heritage farming, coastal walks and wildlife viewing into a relaxed day trip. Walk flat trails, watch sheepdog demos and pair the visit with Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade for a full coastal experience.
05A windswept loop of boardwalks and lookouts, The Nobbies Centre is Phillip Island’s coastal primer: seal colonies, blowholes and a short hop from the famous Penguin Parade — all set on volcanic headlands battered by Bass Strait.
06Approach by boat or kayak and face a hollowed limestone mask rising from Bass Strait. Cleft Island (Skull Rock) is a compact, sea-carved spectacle best seen from the water, where geology, seals, and shearwaters stage a brisk coastal show.
07A compact, coastal hike on Phillip Island that pairs dramatic granite formations and headland views with easy access to wildlife experiences like the Penguin Parade and The Nobbies.