On Saturday the 25th we said goodbye to our place in Rotorua and headed to Auckland. We flew Qantas to Melbourne, Australia and I'm fairly sure from now on I'm only flying Qantas. I realize my destinations may be limited, but man. Worth it!
Once we got to Melbourne it was about 5, we eventually got our rental car (huge van) and headed south to Phillip Island. After our two hour drive we found some food and settled in for the night.
The next morning it was cool, but bright and sunny. Maddy and I went to find coffee and wifi. Cowes is a cute little beachfront town on the edge of Phillip Island.
Once we all got ready for the day we set out. First stop was a beautiful little beach. There were some surfers out and a few people enjoying the morning sun. We explored the tide pools and collected shells. Perfect way to start our Phillip Island day!
Next stop was the Koala conservation reserve. We had high hopes and were not disappointed! Most of the Koalas were snuggled into balls, sleeping in the crooks of eucalyptus trees. They were so cute. So fun to see. Later we saw one that was awake, eating. They are so funny to watch! We were sure it was going to fall as it reached for leaves higher and further. We eventually tore ourselves away and continued our walk around the sanctuary. Before we left Joel and Carter went over to see the 'active' koala once more. It was still at it, and as they stood there it climbed down the tree and walked right at them! It passed about 2 feet (or less!) in front of them. They both have video, it was so awesome. Afterward Joel said, "That was the coolest thing I've ever done."
"Cooler than Hot Water Beach?" I asked?
He answered, "Sarri. I basically just high fived a koala." Was definitely a highlight!
Next we tried to find lunch which turned into a whole ordeal. When you're on a budget, traveling with kids who range from picky to having food allergies, eating can be pretty tricky. Thankfully our kids are all generally good natured and easy people but things got a little dicey since we were all hungry. Eventually we resolved the situation, ate, and then immediately went to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner!
Then we got all bundled up, including all the extra blankets from our cottage, and drove out to The Nobbies. On this part of the island there is a penguin colony. Driving down the road the little burrows, both man made and penguin made can be spotted. We visited the Antarctic exhibit in the visitor center and walked the boardwalks outside to take in the view and see more penguin burrows. Apparently in 1985 the colony was almost extinct, but they restored the area to the natural habitat (removing hundreds of houses and a small town), built thousands of wooden burrows and removed foxes from the island, and now the colony is around 30,000 Little Penguins again!
Anyway, it was really really cold and windy. We were all walking around in many layers with our blankets wrapped around us too. Super classy! We fueled up with hot chocolate and coffee and went to wait for the penguin parade.
We were on bleacher type seating, built into the cliff. Below us was a small beach. It must have been high tide because the people at the bottom of the bleachers got splashed a few times. There were some park rangers there, making announcements and giving instructions. We'd been there close to an hour and it was almost dark when the penguins started to arrive. They come to the shore in pairs or groups, safety in numbers. Many of them are so full they can't walk upright; they lean forward so much that they sometimes just lay on their bellies for a second. It's hilarious to watch. In that spot on the island there are 4 or 5 different trails so before it got very dark we could also see penguins down the beach.
Once they cross the sand they hop and climb up the rocks as they make way to their burrows. It's really amazing to watch.
We watched for about 50 minutes. At the very end there was a lone penguin who couldn't seem to get to shore. He'd kind of half heartedly try it, get swept back out by the tide, and then float around for a while before trying again. Right before we left he was trying this for the 4th or 5th and he was almost out of the water. Just then another penguin shows up and the first one runs over is obviously thrilled to see his peer. It was so fantastic. Then they start across the sand but there are menacing seagulls there! So the penguins go back into the water and come out again, still together, in the shadows, where the gulls can't see them! The penguins were all stealthy, scurrying right past the gulls. It was something straight out of Saturday morning cartoons, seriously. So cool.
We were the last to leave the bleachers and as we walked the pathway back to the car, there were penguins all over both sides of the walkways, heading to burrows and already in burrows. They were vocalizing about something, super loud. Park rangers would stop us to let penguins cross the path. We got to see them so close.
Eventually we made it back to the car, checked under it for penguins, and headed back to the cottage. On our way we saw our first wild kangaroo/wallaby (we aren't sure which). We were all quite excited!
Back to the cottage for hot tea, a late dinner, and planning for tomorrow!
Sent from my iPhone
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