After 7 hours, we arrived.....
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| We survived the flight |
There is an express lane for family with kids so we cleared custom in no time... this is one of the benefit of bringing young children and many countries do provide a special lane for kids which is good....
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| Loving our new toy! |
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| Let me help with the suitcase |
After collecting our checked in luggage bag, we queue up for Optus Sim Card for about 30 mins.. It is a very popular prepaid telco company as they provide the best deal. $2 for 500MB each day with unlimited call/text to local number.
Optus $2 for 500MB per day :
https://smb.optus.com.au/opfiles/Shop/All/cis/Cis%20Documents/1391513_CIS_Optus_Two_Dollar_Day_4G.pdf
After that, we called Apec Car Rental company and a van came by to bring us to their office. Lots of tourist renting with them and a couple of Apec van came around at the same time. We settle the paperwork and we got our car at 10am local time (There is 2 hours time difference with Singapore).
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| Playing while waiting |
We rented Hyundai i45 and the car boot is large. We put in a large suitcase, medium suitcase, trunki for the kids and we still have ample of spaces.
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| Our huge car boot |
Initial plan is to drive to San Remo for lunch but hubby is really too tired to drive. We did not sleep well in the plane as the kids are too excited. After a meal and watching movies, kids only slept for a while and the same goes to us.
Hubby woke up around 12.30pm and much recharged by now. Drove to San Remo for lunch at Co-Op Fish and Chips which is now known as Pelican View Fish and Chips. The fish is fresh and the batter is nice and crispy. We ordered two fish, a medium fries and 4 scallops to share between us. It was huge! Highly recommended if you are going to Phillips Island.
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| Co-op Fish and Chips |
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| Huge portion |
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| Yummy! |
After lunch, kids went around feeding and chasing seagulls. Jaclyn asked why the seagulls come to us when we feed and when we run out of food, they fly away once they see us... such a good observation.
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| Chasing the sea gulls |
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| Here I come... |
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| Hey, seagull, stop flying... |
We then went ahead to Phillips Island. We bought the 3 park passes (Penguin parade, Koala sanctuary and Churchill Island Heritage Farm) at the Tourist Information Centre.
More information on the tickets:
https://www.penguins.org.au/buy-tickets
Note: You will have to choose a date for Penguin Parade which happens at sunset daily. Then, for Churchill Island and Koala Sanctuary, you can actually go anytime within 6 months of the ticket date.
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| Lucky to see many rainbow this trip! |
We then went to our house in Cowes which we will be staying for 3 nights! Unload our luggage and then freshen up and we are going to see the penguins!
Upon entrance, there is a lot of information on the different types of penguin, their life cycle etc. Very informative.... there is also a few penguin houses near the visitor centre so if you are lucky, you might be able to spot the penguin who is at home. We manage to spot one! Yay!!!
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| I am a yellow eye penguin |
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| I am a king penguin |
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| Different penguin around the world |
The penguin that we will be seeing today is the Little Penguin which is the smallest penguin of all species. They are so adorable and tiny, weighing about 1kg each.
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| Found one penguin who is at home... |
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| Penguin reaching in 1 hour and 13 minutes |
While waiting for the sun to set, we walked at the broad walk to spot some other animals who is staying in the same habitat as the penguin.
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| Stroll along the broad walk |
We spotted these little boxes which is tailored made for the little penguin to stay when they are not at sea.
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| Penguin's abode... |
So, we spotted some wallabies, wild rabbits, geese who are all staying around the area.
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| Wallabies and me |
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| Wallabies spotted... |
It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the sunset.
Tips: As the penguin house is more towards the right side (when facing the ocean), it is best to sit towards the right side for a better view of the penguin when they come ashore. Personally, I find that the best part is not when the penguin come onshore from the sea but when they are walking back to their house. So, it is wise to just purchase normal tickets, after seeing a few batches of the penguin coming home (yes, they come in batches over an hour so don't worry if you can't get the front seat, you can still enjoy the cuties penguin), then proceed to the broad walk. Actually their houses is all around the area so any part of the broad walk will have penguin walking pass. Just walk around and spot their cuties making their way home!
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| Normal parade seating |
Photography is not allowed during the parade to protect the penguins.
As the whole parade lasted about an hour, do bring thick jackets in the winter as the weather can get very chilly and windy. And the time of the parade varies depending on the time sun set on that day as the penguin only comes ashore when it is dark cause that is when they feel safe-- to avoid their predator (birds who went home after sunset).
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| 6.30pm in Melbourne |
We left at 6.30pm as everyone is cold. We bid goodbye to the penguins and it is already so dark outside. Everyone is exhausted, didnt sleep well in plane and only nap short while in car. We had quick dinner at Thai on the island restaurant. Portion is huge and food tasted good.
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