10.01.2013
Day 4 was spent on Paradise Beach and we made this using shells found on the beach
As we had arrived at Paradise Beach a day early, we had no choice but to make Day 4 a beach day at this fabulous destination. Free-camping may not be for everyone, but for others it is about going back to nature and just enjoying the best of what the planet has to offer. And this corner of the planet boasts more than its fair share of stunning locations to visit. There were very few people on the deserted beach, so it was an idyllic and peaceful place to spend the day in the sun. Of course, we slapped on SPF 30 sun cream as UV levels in Australia are usually considerably higher than even Europe at summers peak, often 13 or 14. This is due mainly to Australia's close proximity to the hole in the ozone layer, caused by global warming. As the sea in this area can be rough with hidden currents, and there was no lifeguard on duty, it was not advisable to do any more than dip our feet into the cold ocean to cool off in the burning sun.
Sadly, we couldn't stay forever and set off mid afternoon to drive the 200 km to Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade. We arrived at the coast, south of Melbourne, and left the mainland for the first time to cross the 640m (2,100 ft) concrete bridge which led us to the 100 km2 (39 sq mile) island. It costs just $22 per adult for a ticket, and the money raised is used towards the conservation of the hugely valuable & varied wildlife on the island, of which the penguins are the undoubted stars! Once inside, you can watch a short film about the wildlife, buy wildlife-themed goodies in the gift shop, grab a quick refreshment or learn more about the penguins and their habitat. You can even spy a nestling penguin sitting on her eggs through a number of viewing holes found on the edge of the building.
Once the doors are open, you are guided along the walkway through the natural habitat of the island towards the location of the parade itself. There is even time to spy the local Wallabies on the way down to the specially designed seating area on the beach. Amidst the excited whisperings of the crowd, we spied people of all races & ages whose murmurings increase as dusk (and with it, the penguins) approaches. Once seated, you are given an introduction of the island and it's penguin inhabitants. Penguins are not an animal, unlike the Wallaby, commonly associated with Oz and the species here are a warm water cousin to the ones found 7,014 km (or 4,359 miles) further south in Antarctica. They are the smallest variety of the species at an average of just 33cm high and 43cm in length, and after spending the entire day fishing & swimming in the ocean, they return to their nests on the shore just after sunset - safe from the predators who may otherwise do them harm.
For the sake of the penguins, you are prohibited from taking photography at the parade - which is fiercely enforced by the on duty rangers - but this is the only disappointment in what is a very magical experience. As dusk encroaches, you see the tiny heads of the first penguins popping up in the waters' edge. Eventually, and very hesitantly, a few of the brave ones land on the beach but the slightest movement (from the sea gulls) sends them hurtling back into the sea and raises chuckles amongst the crowd. Slowly but surely, one group at a time, the penguins waddle up the beach returning to their nests. After spending around 20 minutes on the shore watching pockets of them arrive home, we ventured back towards the centre to watch the penguins return to the nests. They are very social and often stay outside amongst their peers for a while. The nests can be found all over the island and you have to be careful leaving the car park, as rogue penguins can be found under and around the parked cars.
After he disappointment of not seeing a Platypus, it was made up for by being privileged enough to stroll along the walk boards and be amongst the wildlife on the island first hand. Whilst it's not possible to take any photo's of the experience, this does avoid the distraction of trying to take the perfect shot and so you just enjoy being there gaining incredible memories to cherish forever.
It was late & very dark by the time we left Phillip Island, and so we free-camped in a rest area on the way towards Melbourne. Despite being so tired, we did catch this amazing shot of the stars in the night sky whilst standing by the free way in the middle of the Victorian countryside. But this amazing day caught up with us and we were soon fast asleep, dreaming about our next stop (Melbourne) and the fun we would have there. Check out more in my next post!
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