21 AUG 2019: Australia, even the word conjures up mental pictures of beaches, of sunshine, of kangaroos, Koalas and wombats. I’ll bet most people including your clients and me never think – oh penguins. Who knew, I sure didn’t.

But yes, tiny penguins are there – just 85 miles south of Melbourne.

Sightseeing (australiasightseeing.com.au) have a great day trip to Philip Island, so we couldn’t wait to go.

The coach picks up from various hotels, and one was a pleasant walk from our long stay property. The coach was almost full and included a number of little ones who fell asleep during much of the drive. I certainly didn’t, the driver was extremely interesting and pointed out all kind of things, like the gorgeous area of Victorian homes, which reminded me of Rosedale in Toronto. He talked about the influx of people and pointed out all the new housing being built along the route. Our daughter (who lives in Sydney) thought the highway was amazing compared to Sydney’s highways.

The tour included entry to Maru Koala and Animal park and a stay of close to an hour. I heard some mumbling from visitors that they didn’t like zoos, and that stop was a bit long, other people who would have no chance to see these critters in the wild loved it.

It was late afternoon when we drove through San Remo, yes, named after the resort town in Italy. It is touristy but still known for its fish. There is a fishing co-op near the bridge, and the area is famous for the King George Whiting. Every day at 12 noon the fisherman’s co-op feeds the pelicans and gives a little talk at the pier. It is free.

And then the bridge to Philip Island. You could feel the excitement building on the coach.

The southern coastline views were stunning, and we stopped and got off for photo ops of the rocky shores, and pretty sand beaches. We couldn’t get enough pictures of THE NOBBIES – which are curious dome-shaped rock formations.

We had time to clamber down the ramps and viewing areas to ooh and ah. Sadly we didn’t see any seals just gorgeous scenery.

And then, to the new Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, before the roads were closed for the Penguins to travel to their nests after their long day of fishing.

People have come to see the penguins waddle out of the sea in groups for 100 years.

In the 20’s word was out that there were a community of little penguins and people started coming to see them. Soon there was a small charge, and once the word got out the numbers grew. In the 30’s land owners gave 10 acres to the state to protect the little penguins. Sadly, though people brought their dogs, and the dogs killed the little penguins, as did the foxes. By the 80’s the penguin community was shrinking.

Developers too saw this gorgeous island and began to develop.

In 1985 according the Independent newspaper, “the Victoria state government decided to buy every property on the Summerland Peninsula and return the land to the penguins. “

Phillip Island Nature Parks is the most popular wildlife tourist destination in the state, and in 2018, 740,000 visitors arrived.

The birds are now thriving. There are about 31,000 breeding penguins, up from 12,000 in the 1980’s.

In late July this year a huge new visitors centre opened between the dunes, the wetlands, and the headland where penguins won’t build their burrow homes. The old centre torn down will free up almost 15 acres of prime habitat-enough for about 1400 penguins. The new centre brags two restaurants, all kinds of exhibits, and yes, a large gift shop. Lots to see before the main attraction… The Parade.

We had seats to the underground viewing with a bird’s eye view right at eye level. It was warmer in there too. Tell your clients to take warm clothes, especially in the fall, winter, and spring.

Finally, the first penguins came out of the ocean where they’d been fishing all day, they lingered a bit, almost as though they were discussing their day. Some shook, others shivered. They were resting together.

Some stagger around and fall head over heels after bumping into friends. This spot on the beach is their first opportunity to rest, safe from predators, and so they gather in their droves: tens, dozens, then more. This isn’t Disney, so there is no guarantee of numbers. We saw more than enough to make us happy, but not thousands.

They are utterly charming as they move around gracelessly and bumble and fall and play. Some waddle up a path to the right of the platform while the others head beneath the stands to their cozy homes.

The children had trouble not squealing when they came by so close to our viewing window. There are no pictures allowed and many adults bemoaned this fact.

People start leaving after about a half hour or so, and our tickets allowed us then to wander to the stands outside. It was fun wandering in the dim lights along the wooden ramps, and walkways watching the stragglers as the penguins stop to chat to one another and slowly made their way.

I think the entire coach slept the whole way back. Next time, and there will be a next time, I’ll stay a few days. Until then I dream of the magical opportunity to see these little penguins.