Phillip Island National Park, VICTORIA
Airing Date: Mar 5th, 2002
Now, for the first time ever, tourists can watch penguins at sunrise as they leave their burrows and scamper down the ocean to feed.
There are one-and-a-half hour guided tours available for groups of up to 20, which take in a stroll down to the ocean and then back up to the Visitor's Centre for a very welcome buffet breakfast.
Only 20 minutes away is Churchill Island, Victoria's first farming settlement which dates back to 1801. To walk around the island takes about two hours but the North Point Track, one of the best walking trails on the island, takes just 45 minutes.
When it's time for lunch, a meal on the verandah at the newly completed Interpretive Centre Caf provides delicious country-style fare. If you are a budding florist, you should also pay a visit to the Big Flower Farm back on Phillip Island. They grow over 120 varieties of gerberas and guided tours are run every day.
At the end of a long day's sightseeing, you can stay at the Kaloha Holiday Resort, set in a beautiful tropical garden just ten minute's drive from the Phillip Island Penguins.
The facts
Qantas flies to Melbourne everyday from all capital cities. Prices start from $176 ex-Sydney. Additional taxes, levies and charges apply.
Qantas
Tel: 131313
Website: qantas.com
'Breakfast with the Penguins' tours run daily starting 90 minutes before dawn. The cost is $47 for adults and $35 for children, aged 12 to 16.
Phillip Island National Park
Tel: 1300 366 422
Churchill Island is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Admission is $5.60 for adults and $2.60 for children.
Rooms at Kaloha Holiday Resort are available from $83 per double.
Kaloha Hoilday Resort
Tel: 03 5952 2179
The Big Flower Farm tours run daily from 10am to 4.30pm. Entry costs $9 for adults and children under 12 get in free.
The Big Flower Farm
Tel: 03 5956 6888
