Penguins, Koalas, & Wallabies, oh my!

The last few days we have hit the road and have explored the greater area of Victoria, Australia. Kellie and her husband Mark have been gracious enough to show me Australia, tourist style, by taking me to Phillip Island and along the Great Ocean Road.

Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island attracts over 3 million visitors annually. This is without question, due to the world famous nature parks located here. The Penguin Parade alone brings in tourist from all over. The island has much more to offer than the chance to watch Little Penguins emerge from the ocean as dusk falls however. Phillip Island is also home to Churchill Island Heritage Farm, The Koala Conservation Centre, and another beautiful scenic area, the Nobbies. We went to them all with our 3-park pass! (It is FREE to visit the Nobbie's and Seal Rocks.)

Mark's family owns a holiday house on the island, so we were fortunate to stay there while on the island. We loaded the car Friday and headed for the island. We stopped along the way in Dandenong for dinner where we dinned to live music being played by local musician, James Vincent. (He had actually played at Kellie and Mark's wedding too, so it was fun to meet him and listen to him.) We arrived to the house late and quickly unpacked the car and settled in for the night.

We walked along the sandy shore & then inland on a trail to a lookout.

Saturday we went for a walk along the beach and then into town to get some groceries for lunch and some nibbles (snacks) to eat during the Footy Grand Final. We bought some sausages and kangaroo kabobs to throw on the barbie  for lunch and some cashew and sweet chili dip & biscuits (crackers) for the game.  Kangaroo, is more like a red meat, close to steak from my experience. Not bad, but not that good either.

My 1st Kangaroo. I hope the next one I see is jumping with a joey in it's pouch.

The Grand Final is similar to our Superbowl. People brag (cheer) for their team, and enjoy the game with friends and family. We watched it just the three of us together, but there was plenty of excitement. The game was a nail-biter, ending in a draw. Funny thing was, that the way they break the tie is a re-match a week out. Now, can you just imagine the Superbowl finishing with a draw and the two teams going home only to return the following week to do it ALL over again?

Collingwood (b&w) and St. Kilda (red, b&w) tie in ALF Grand Final 2010

That night Kellie and I went to the Penguin Parade. People flock to the beach before dusk and sit there and wait for the Little Penguins to brave crossing the open beach, back to their nests. We waited patiently as the tourist filled the cement bleacher viewing area. Pictures are not allowed to be taken, as the flash scares the penguins. They would emerge from the water, debate going back into the water, and then hustle up the beach in groups of  about five. As we walked back to the visitor's center we were able to see them up close, walking alongside the path and waiting outside their nests.

Little Penguins leaving the ocean to head back up to their nests for the night

A sleepy Koala rests in a Gum Tree at the Koala Conservation

Kellie accompanied me to the Koala Conservation Center and Churchill Island Heritage Farm. At the Koala Conservation we walked around the park in search of Koalas, Wallabies, and more than a handful of birds, whom all call the center home. We eventually were able to spot a few Koalas high up in some gum trees. They are big fluff balls that rarely move (as they have a low energy diet, and sleep for up to 20 hrs a day.) Regardless, they seemed quite cute. Crazy enough they always seemed to be sitting on the thinnest and flimsiest branches. I also saw a few Wallabies, which are similar to Kangaroos, but smaller, and plenty of birds including: Galahs, Kookaburras, and Rainbow Pitta.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree...

A Wallaby tries to hide behind branches, but without success.

 After making our way through the Conservation Center we went to Churchill Island, a heritage farm that offered great views, a barn with daily activities such as sheep shearing and cow milking, and a chance to go back in time and tour the old farm house. Visiting here reminded me of going to Bauman's Farms with my family last October. Great place to pack a picnic and take the little ones to see the animals and farm.

The Nobbies and Seal Rock, at Phillip Island, Australia

We then went back to the house to pack and load up. We weren't ready to leave the island just yet however. We drove back across the island to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. it was refreshing to see the coastline again and with the sun out, it felt great to walk around the park. We were lucky enough to even spot a few visitors here - a couple Little Penguins that had decided to stay home today! With the daylight and my flash off I took a  picture of one of these little guys.

A Little Penguin hides under the boardwalk...

Mesha enjoying the warm sun at the Nobbies on Phillip Island, OZ

We got home and ate dinner then were off to bed in preparation of our next big trip, the Great Ocean Road. Figuring I didn't have exact plans for my trip we figured we'd head up the coast for some scenic views...