Day trip at last

On Saturday B and I went to Philip Island, which is just over an hour drive from our home. Along the way it felt like we could be anywhere, with the green rolling fields and cows, sheep and birds flying about. The sky cloudy with the sun creeping through, yet along the way the Aboriginal town settlement names offered a gentle reminder that we were entering their sacred land. 

Arriving in time for a morning cuppa we wrapped up and head to San Remo, where we warmed our souls with a morning cuppa before heading out to the harbour to witness the feeding of the pelicans. B has never seen them in their natural environment, only that of a zoo. So we braved the chill in the air to stand around watching and waiting with them until their feeders arrived. 

After we left to travel over the bridge to the island, where our adventure continued. It is only a 1km drive. hehe. 

We decided to head to the town settlement of Cowes which is the main town on the island. It just so happen there was a festival on, A whale island festival. It was in this small village we went to a craft market. Then onto the cultural centre were there was a lecture about the environmental impact of plastic on the islands natural coast line. There was a few information displays in the gathering area, where we read up on different approaches to deal with our somewhat human damaging effect we leave upon mother nature. 

After our education session, we decided to head to the coastline to enjoy our homemade lunch on the beach shore. The wind had a chill factor making it feel more like -2 degrees opposed to the 7degree it rather was. 

We found a place looking out to the pierre, watching the sun dance upon the ripples in the ocean. It was a perfect way to blow out the cob webs, if we held any within and embrace the open clean crisp ocean breeze that filled our lungs. 

  

After lunch we decided to go to one of the island animal encounters. The Island is known for its Penguin parade that occurs at sunset, and also for having a Churchill Island Heritage Farm - which to us felt a little pointless in visiting as we both have seen many farms and farm animals during our travels. Therefore we decided to go all Australian and visit a Koala Conservation Centre. B never seen Koala before, was perfect moment to add that to her tick list while we could support the conservation of the Koalas and learn a little more about the cute cuddly animals. 

During our visit we learn a lot as we walked the board walks in which we could were left feeling like we were in a life game of 'where's wally'? Trying to spot the koalas high in the tree tops who were wisely sleeping away the afternoon light. The koalas eat ten percent of their body weight about one kg of leafs each day, taking approximately ten days to process through their small bodies. They rarely fall which is a little surprising considering the old positions we found them in while they were sleeping. In total there is about forty koalas present, which gave us great hope that we would see a few, while in reality our eyes only spotted a total of five. Harder than one would think as they do hide rather well. 

     

Leaving here, we went for a drive to across the island - 20km - to a point called the Nobbles. It was along the way we pulled into a bay which I thought I saw a blow hole, only to discover we were watching whales. Sorry no photos as they were off the coast line, a lot of people started to pull in with the sense their were following the whales around the island. As we continue up to the Nobbles, only to discover that there was no parking therefore we saw a sign for an alternative route to the Penguins, so we adventured along this way. 

It was an off road track with a little pot holes and bumps, that opened up a beautiful view of the southern coast line. 

 

We pulled in a few times to bays to take photos and look at the coast line, that we both felt connected to. Easily done... 

It was at one point I looked down to the ocean ripping and curling upon itself in a dark pure blue that is so inviting to go swimming in it. Although there was no chance of that for this trip, it is no surprise this island is known for many people surfing and having holiday homes here. 

It was time for an afternoon cuppa so we found ourselves back on the island road heading to the bridge to the main land. While driving down B saw a sign wondered what the pyramid rock was, and in a spilt second a decision for adventure. We drove down the off road track to lead us to the end peak of the island where heading out could see more whales and wonderful rock formation. 

After all our sight seeing and adventures it was time to head home. The light droplets of rain fall on our screen, with a rainbow forming in the distance we started the journey back home. It was a rather delightful day that felt a little like we were following a map of an adventure park or the likes of, to ensure we got to see all the beauty and nature thrills that nature has gifted us. 

Arriving home exhausted, we both had a hot cuppa and settled in for a little relaxation and recovery from our adventures. Breathing a sigh of joy .... until next time...