Phillip Island

Every day at dusk, Phillip Island hosts Australia's most popular wildlife event - a parade of little penguins that emerge from the sea and make their way to their burrows in the sand dunes.

In September each year, short tailed shearwaters arrive on the island, having completed their annual migration around the Pacific. They've earned a rest, so they stay until April, only to return the following September to rejoin the island's abundant bird life, including the many species of waterbirds at Rhyll Inlet.

Birds are not the only wildlife attraction. Up to 16,000 fur seals take up residence at Seal Rocks at the western tip of the island each October to December for breeding season.

And anyone interested in seeing one of Australia's iconic animals, the koala, should visit the Phillip Island Nature Park and stroll along the treetop boardwalk at the Koala Conservation Centre. Other key stops include historic Churchill Island and the natural attractions of Rhyll Inlet, Woolamai and the Nobbies.

Phillip Island also has a reputation for beautiful coastal scenery, with rugged ocean beaches lining the coastline that faces Bass Strait, and sheltered bay beaches suitable for swimming and fishing to the north of the island.

A different kind of wild life migrates to the island en masse every year to attend the Superbike World Championship in March and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October. If you want to test the track, buckle up for go-karting on the replica Grand Prix track, or an adrenalin-amping triple-lap ride around the circuit with a racing driver in the HSV Hot Laps.

All the action, both on and off the track, is just 140 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, and less than two hours' drive. The island is accessed by a long bridge across The Narrows from the fishing town of San Remo. The largest town, Cowes, has a range of accommodation from caravan parks to luxury guesthouses.

Go to Visit Victoria (Phillip Island) for further information.