Phillip Island, VICTORIA
Airing Date: Oct 20th, 2003
Let's start with activities for the young - or the young at heart.
There's a theme park called A Maze'N Things, which provides hours of fun and entertainment. Inside the building there are a number of interactive illusions, a Puzzle Cafe with hilarious toilet facilities, and two nearby tables filled with games and puzzles for you to play.
You'll also find Australia's largest three-dimensional timber maze, a golf course, an adventure playground and undercover BBQ area. And at the rear of the property you'll find A Maze'N Things Holiday Park. There's a range of accommodation, including deluxe spa cabins with wood heaters, family ensuite cabins and on-site caravans and camping areas.
You can't visit Phillip Island without checking out the Grand Prix Circuit. Walking tours of the circuit operate daily from 11:00am and include a walk through the Water Gardens, the Race Control Tower, Media Centre and Pit Lane. The tour ends with a photo on the winners' podium.
The race track at Phillip Island has been around since the 1920s. It's now home to two international motorcycling events, and the likes of Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan have sped around the bends to win a number of world titles.
You can hoon around the track on your own bike on designated 'ride days'. It's important that you know how to read the flags. The yellow flag means 'slow down and no overtaking', while a black flag requires you to return to the pit stop. The chequered flag simply indicates the end of a session.
Your bike will be checked for a number of safety issues and you are required to wear a helmet, protective clothing and boots. You will be graded to specific rides (fast, medium, slow) and you must stick to your group. Make sure you come with a full fuel tank, keep your fluids up, get a feel for the track first, and let your tyres warm up before really pushing your bike.
The facts:
To hoon around Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will cost you $149.50 a day.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Tel: 03 5952 9400
If you want to try some other really fast tracks, Champion Ride Days will sort it out from $125.
Champion Ride Days
Tel: 0427 771 451
Garners Hire Bikes in Melbourne will rent you a bike from $475 a day, including leathers. It's an extra $500 for a pair of new tyres.
Garner's Hire Bikes
Tel: 03 9326 8676
Entry to A Maze'N Things costs $18 for adults and $12 for children.
A Maze'N Things
Tel: 03 5952 2283
The Waves Apartments are only 10 minutes away from the track. Apartments cost from $180 per night, including breakfast.
The Waves Apartments
Tel: 03 5952 1351
Churchill Island
Tel: 03 5956 7214
Koala Conservation Centre and Woodland
Tel: 03 5952 1307
Phillip Island Visitors Centre
Tel: 1300 366 422
Tourism Victoria
