Friday, March 05, 2004
Just to update - not in the right order but because i have written something...
Philip Island
So for the last full day in Melbourne the idea was to do a trip which id been keen on since first arriving in St Kilda. On Philip Island each evening hundreds of Penguins come out of the sea with food for their children who are nested up on the island. The day trip we booked left the hostel at 1pm and took in various other activities on the way.
First of all we stopped at the Ramsay winery, a small family run vinyard where we tried some of the produce and had a barbeque. The vinyard is so small that you can only buy their drops on site - you wont see a bottle in a supermarket.
It has a lovely feel to it - there is a rose garden in front and the wine went extremely well with the small feast our driver cooked up.
Next we stopped at a wildlife sanctuary. We were taken into a small pen where a wombat was passed around and we all got to have a cuddle. The Welsh were particularly taken with the docile creature but although it had an undeniable cuteness to it I wouldnt class Wombats among my favourite creatures.
We wandered past several talking birds and then got to feed Wallabies, chickens (!) and Kangeroos. I'd done most of this before though so I think my favourite part was going in and playing with the Dingoes. Just like an overexcited dog they were friendly and jumpy, but they had beautiful coats and are a particularly lean and athletic looking animal. Nearly savaged a small girl but im sure it was her fault.
After one of the best Ice Creams I can remember we got back on the bus and headed over to actually get to Philip Island.
It is a smallish island connected to the mainland by a bridge, best known for the penguins but they also hold a motorbike Grand Prix here. We were told that large parts of the island are reserve for the Penguins and the government is attempting to buy out the few people that remain living in those particular areas.
The first stop on the island though was a rocky outcrop known as the Nobbies. Looking south from here the next land you would reach is the Antarctic (and its cold enough to believe that). On one of the rocky islands there is a large seal population and despite the sun creating a silhouette behind them you could still make out their heads.
We walked along the cliff to the blowhole - a rock cave in the cliff where the wild tide enters and then blows out once it gets full. On the way we spotted a baby penguin in its nest and also several seagulls (I only mention this because of the slightly alarmist Warning: Do Not Feed Seagulls - They Will Attack signs) We didnt see any seagull attacks.
Finally we arrived at the spot of entry for the penguins. They dont get a lot of privacy these days - there is a large grandstand and also a walkway alongside the route they take inland. We were instructed that unless we particularly wanted to sit down the walkway was the best spot because the Penguins would be right alongside - which was true.
In the half light it was pretty difficult to make out the actuall exit from the sea - but once the large groups of these little birds got close it was like they were putting on a little waddling show just for the crowds. The children all call out for their parents but because of their poor eyesight they dont actually recognise them when they get close - often the children attack their parents when they come to feed.
I was feeling rough by this stage anyway - i had a nasty headcold but i was alright all day until the wine wore off and then i started feeling ropey.
Philip Island
So for the last full day in Melbourne the idea was to do a trip which id been keen on since first arriving in St Kilda. On Philip Island each evening hundreds of Penguins come out of the sea with food for their children who are nested up on the island. The day trip we booked left the hostel at 1pm and took in various other activities on the way.
First of all we stopped at the Ramsay winery, a small family run vinyard where we tried some of the produce and had a barbeque. The vinyard is so small that you can only buy their drops on site - you wont see a bottle in a supermarket.
It has a lovely feel to it - there is a rose garden in front and the wine went extremely well with the small feast our driver cooked up.
Next we stopped at a wildlife sanctuary. We were taken into a small pen where a wombat was passed around and we all got to have a cuddle. The Welsh were particularly taken with the docile creature but although it had an undeniable cuteness to it I wouldnt class Wombats among my favourite creatures.
We wandered past several talking birds and then got to feed Wallabies, chickens (!) and Kangeroos. I'd done most of this before though so I think my favourite part was going in and playing with the Dingoes. Just like an overexcited dog they were friendly and jumpy, but they had beautiful coats and are a particularly lean and athletic looking animal. Nearly savaged a small girl but im sure it was her fault.
After one of the best Ice Creams I can remember we got back on the bus and headed over to actually get to Philip Island.
It is a smallish island connected to the mainland by a bridge, best known for the penguins but they also hold a motorbike Grand Prix here. We were told that large parts of the island are reserve for the Penguins and the government is attempting to buy out the few people that remain living in those particular areas.
The first stop on the island though was a rocky outcrop known as the Nobbies. Looking south from here the next land you would reach is the Antarctic (and its cold enough to believe that). On one of the rocky islands there is a large seal population and despite the sun creating a silhouette behind them you could still make out their heads.
We walked along the cliff to the blowhole - a rock cave in the cliff where the wild tide enters and then blows out once it gets full. On the way we spotted a baby penguin in its nest and also several seagulls (I only mention this because of the slightly alarmist Warning: Do Not Feed Seagulls - They Will Attack signs) We didnt see any seagull attacks.
Finally we arrived at the spot of entry for the penguins. They dont get a lot of privacy these days - there is a large grandstand and also a walkway alongside the route they take inland. We were instructed that unless we particularly wanted to sit down the walkway was the best spot because the Penguins would be right alongside - which was true.
In the half light it was pretty difficult to make out the actuall exit from the sea - but once the large groups of these little birds got close it was like they were putting on a little waddling show just for the crowds. The children all call out for their parents but because of their poor eyesight they dont actually recognise them when they get close - often the children attack their parents when they come to feed.
I was feeling rough by this stage anyway - i had a nasty headcold but i was alright all day until the wine wore off and then i started feeling ropey.
