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Phillip Island

Phillip-Island-Wildlife-Penguin2-MB15LOCATED south of Melbourne is a small island known by Aussies and tourists alike for one of its unique features: the penguins. Each day on Phillip Island, thousands of penguins will emerge from the ocean and walk across the beach. There are approximately 26,000 penguins that live in the waters surrounding the island, with about 4,000 of those living in burrows around Summerland Beach. The penguins will leave their burrows just before sunrise and return at dusk, making for an exciting and beautiful sight.

Some of the best surfing in Australia can be had on Phillip Island, and it's able to accommodate surfers of all skill levels (and tolerance to cold water). Phillip Island is also home to many attractions and events unique to the area. Famous rock formations such as the Nobbies, Pinnacles and Pyramid Rock can be seen on the island.

HIKING
There are many hiking trails available for use to help you explore the land. Cape Woolamai Trail is a two-hour walk to the island's highest point, reaching 109 metres. With incredible views from the top, this trail is the most diverse and aesthetically breathtaking of them all.

The walk starts at Woolamai Beach Surf Life carpark where you can view the old granite quarry and the Pinnacles. Other walks include the 2-hour Pinnacle walk, the 3-hour Old Granite Quarry Walk, the 3 and a half hour Cape Woolamai Beacon walk, or a combination of all three walks totaling 4 hours.

THE BIG WAVE
When it comes to a famous "big" icon, the locals would likely point to the Big Wave, a giant life-like wave located 200 metres over the bridge from San Remo, placed outside the front of the Island Accommodation and Islantis Surfboards. Over the past twenty years the Big Wave has built quite the reputation, becoming the most well known "big thing" in the region and growing dear to the hearts of citizens and tourists alike. The structure provides a chance to experience being "barreled" in a wave.

SURFBOARDS
If you are a surfer, history fanatic, or both, Islantis Surfboards has a huge collection of antique and vintage surfboards that date as far back as the ‘30s. This is a great chance to view and understand the unique history of surfing and the progression of board designs from the early 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century.

MOTORSPORTS
Motorsports also have a role on the island. The annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which is held just after winter every year, is a must-see for sports fans around the country. You can get your own fix with a range of activities held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, from Go Karts to Hot Laps, which allows visitors and locals alike to satisfy their need for speed.

HELICOPTER TOURS
Being such a gorgeous destination, the island should be seen from any and every way possible. One of the more unique ways to view the island is by air. Helicopter tours are notoriously fun and can provide much insight on the history and geography of the island. At a fairly low cost, these tours are a great opportunity to view the island from a different vantage point.

FOOD AND WINE
Two attractions that are not to be forgotten. There are plenty of seaside restaurants along the island that are sure to replenish you after a long day of exploring.

For great food and drink at a fair price, try Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant & Bar. Rusty is conveniently located for anyone finishing a long day of exploring, nestled comfortably right in the heart of most tourist activities. Choose between 5 of the beers on tap, or give their award-winning Koala Pale Ale a go! If you don't fancy beer then take a look at their wine list, dominated by local award-winning vineyards.

The wine of Phillip Island is beginning to gain a reputation for its cool-climate wines with full fruit flavour. Stay for lunch among the vines after tasting some of the local wines with their respective winemakers.

WILDLIFE
Last but not least, Phillip Island is also home to an abundance of wildlife for you to encounter during your stay. Animals include penguins, seals, kangaroos, koalas, birds and wallabies. You can learn about the habitats and behaviours of each animal at one of the island's many educational interpretive centres.

The possibilities on Phillip Island are quite numerous and diverse enough to satisfy a wide range of people. With all of this and more to offer, Phillip Island is a visit to strongly consider for a brief or lengthy break this winter.

 

Travel Cape Tribulation

 

IF BBM was Captain Cook and our ship had just ran aground off the shores of a new land, the place would probably be called Cape Sonofabitch. Luckily we're not Cook and he made the better choice of Cape Tribulation. The irony is clear now that despite Captain Cook's admission that Cape Tribulation is so called "because here began all our troubles," it is probably one of the most relaxecape tribulationd and tranquil places in the world. Famed for its ancient rainforest, sandy shores and rugged mountains, this is a natural orgy for your senses.

But don't be fooled, Cape Trib isn't only an endless forest where you'll be expected to shit outdoors and live off the land. It's actually one of the most popular day trips and only 100km north of Cairns. Although rainfall can be worse than an Irish summer at times, BBM was lucky enough to escape the tears from above even though we went during the wet season (great planning). Something we were told too late was that during wet season (December - June), you should never go swimming in the sea due to the sizeable population of non-cuddly animals - especially at night. Now, we have never professed to be geniuses, but we will offer a bit of advice for you based on some of our experiences. Attempting to carry a female into the sea for a nighttime skinny dipping session and some type of drunken mating ritual will result in regret. And be sure not to mistake the poor girl's screams of warning for flirtatious squeals of delight.

It would be hard to imagine such a place if you haven't seen it yourself, Cape Tribulation is truly beautiful - but there is so much more to it than its appearance.  For starters, you might have heard of the Great Barrier Reef which is only 19kms east of Cape Trib. As extraordinary an experience as the reef is, we had already spent our well-borrowed money on a dive in Cairns. But fear not, we were left with a host of other tantalizing choices - Guided night walks, 4-wheel drive tours, horse riding, kayaking, jungle surfing, and crocodile tours are all available.

Out of pure curiosity and the chance to do something completely original while taking in all that Father Nature has to offer, BBM chose Jungle Surfing. The staff are all very friendly and professional so you don't ever feel uncomfortable as you dangle from high above the rainforest floor.Zip lines allow you to move up and down the trees to see the forest life like few other humans can. It really reminded us of when we were monkeys before evolution kicked in. It's a great adventure activity for all ages and no experience is required so even you can do it!

Related Articles:

Adventures Galore in The Daintree

Cape Tribulation Accommodation

Ferntree Hostel, Cape Tribulationcape tribulation picture
Ferntree hostel offers a tranquil base to relax and explore. Just a short walk to the local bar (PKs Jungle Bar), restaurants, food store, pharmacy, bat house, and the white sands of Myall Beach. Access the rainforest with a day or night tour, check out the Great Barrier Reef with an Ocean Safari reef tour (only 25 minutes to reef); discover the Dubuji boardwalk, surf the tree tops with Jungle surfing, explore the famous Cape Tribulation Beach lookout and the plethora of hiking trails.

Dorm beds from $28 per person. Private Cabins from $56 per person.

www.ferntreehostel.com.au

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