Thursday 17th September (cont'd)

Having sorted ourselves out we went out about 6.30pm. Our motel is on the main road where all the restaurants are located, just too far away to walk, and it was raining again. We spotted a Coles so we went in and bought a few bits for breakfast, etc. Coming out we parked and did a quick walk up and down looking at all the restaurants. Eventually we settled on an Italian style one. Anne had pasta and Les had pizza. In retrospect the seafood starter was a mistake as it was much larger than we expected and we struggled to finish our mains. Anne had a glass of the local brewery’s (Rusty Waters) pale ale which was delicious. Had quite a long chat with the youngish man who seemed to be running the restaurant with his mother. Gave us some useful tips.

Back to the motel around 9.

Friday 18th

Usual start to the day except that we did the washing after breakfast while we were typing up the diary. Washing is free but unfortunately the dryer had broken and hadn’t been replaced so we set off for the day with a bag full of wet washing in the boot.

Stopped and had a quick look on the front at Cowes and then drove down to Penguin Parade. This turned out to have been a good move. The place was completely empty and we spent a long time talking to the lady on the ticket desk. She offered us a discounted rate to buy the ‘3 Attraction’ pass inclusive of the VIP tour at PP. We then had a coffee and a look round the inside of the building with all the displays about penguins etc. The main path to the viewing point on the shore was closed as they are doing quite a lot of work on the site. However, the ticket lady opened another door for us and we were able to take a longer, circuitous route (also on a boardwalk) which let us see all sorts of wildlife - Swamphens, Cape Barren geese and other birds. After going out to the viewing area we came back, and drove on down to the Nobbies.

These are some isolated rocks at the end of the peninsula. We did the circular walk round the boardwalk and saw plenty of spectacular waves crashing in. Even though it was 1pm we decided to drive on down to the Koala Reservation as we knew we’d be eating late in the evening.

It doesn’t take long to get anywhere on Phillip Island but it was interesting driving on a minor road across the centre. Saw some new development and some terrific new houses as well as what looked like original ones.

Had a toasted sandwich once we got to the Koala Reservation and then did all the various walks. We saw 4 of the alleged 5 koalas in the Koala Boardwalk enclosure and all 4 of them in the Treetop Walk. We didn’t see any on the Woodland Trail but then we didn’t see any of the snakes either.

After we’d seen everything we drove back into Cowes and put the washing in the dryer in the launderette. Brought everything back to the motel and just had time for a relaxing hour or so before setting off for the evening. We took time to drive quickly down to Rhyll and have a look at the waterfront views before going to PP. Unfortunately cameras aren't allowed in the evenings, so we have no photos.

Our VIP tour was for 10 people. Our ranger took us to an upstairs room where we had tea, coffee and cheese & biscuits while she talked us through the conservation work that they do and the whole history of penguins on PI. From there we walked slowly down to the viewing area stopping on the way to look at a few penguins and for her to point out other things.

At the viewing point we went into the ranger hut which was good as it meant we were out of the cold. We were all given binoculars and as well as our own ranger we could talk to another one who was there doing the nightly count. It was all fascinating. The first penguins came ashore about 6.40pm and we stayed watching until just after 7pm. We then walked slowly back with everybody else watching the penguins as they made their way back up across the ground. They come as far as the Visitor Centre or even beyond. We left about 7.45pm and were back in Cowes about 8pm.

Everywhere busier than yesterday but we had a nice meal next door (Isola de Capri) to where we’d eaten last night.

Saturday 19th

Made a leisurely start and were finally packed and on our way by 10.00. Went down to the town centre and found the Post Office where we bought more stamps and posted the last of our cards.

Drove back towards the mainland and onto Churchill Island just before the bridge. This is an island off an island, and didn’t get a bridge access until tthe 1950’s. The whole place is preserved to show how previous owners lived. The main house is kept as it was when it was the home of a wealthy Melbourne businessman, but it also has the farm buildings from earlier owners, and the history is shown back to the first white ‘squatter’ (which actually meant someone who had purchased the grazing rights - not an illegal occupant).

Had a coffee and cake and then explored the place. A nice personal guided tour of the main house by a volunteer guide.

Left around 12 just as the place was starting to get very busy. Driving back to San Remo and the main crossing we noticed more of the signs saying ‘Blue Line Not in Operation’. We’d noticed these before together with the blue lines on the carriageway. Later we found out that this is a way of squeezing traffic going off the island into two lanes rather than one. The system is used after major events. This reminds us that for the whole morning we could hear the engine noise of cars going round the GP Circuit on the Island - this is where the first Australian GP was held before moving to Adelaide and now Melbourne.