Phillip Island for an Action-Packed Summer

Phillip Island for an Action-Packed Summer

Phillip Island, Australia's favourite holiday playground, will be bursting with adventures this summer with a wide range of activities on offer to keep the whole family entertained. From the redeveloped, state of the art penguin viewing experience, the extraordinary new Antarctic Journey at The Nobbies, Go-Kart action on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and sky high adventures with Phillip Island Sky Trail to traditional carnival fun, the Summer Vibes food, wine and music festival and tantalising new seafood offerings, Phillip Island is the ultimate destination for a family getaway this summer.

Here is just a taste of some of the many highlights waiting to be discovered on Phillip Island this summer:

Penguins Plus at Phillip Island Penguin Parade

The world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade has recently launched a completely new visitor experience, Penguins Plus, in partnership with RACV. Visitors can now experience the little penguins from a closer, underground vantage point as they pass by at eye level. Phillip Island Nature Parks has also recently released an app where one can find out what the penguins are up to each month of the year. The free app can be found in the Android or Apple store under Phillip Island Nature Parks Australia – Penguins. The penguins arrive at sunset every night of the year. Penguins Plus tickets are $47.20 per adult and $23.60 per child and Underground Viewing tickets are $60.00 per adult and $30.00 per child. General, self guided viewing tickets are $24.50 per adult and $12.25 per child. W: www.penguins.org.au

WWF and Phillip Island Nature Parks' Antarctic Journey

Phillip Island Nature Parks introduces the world's first interactive Antarctic experience in partnership with WWF-Australia at The Nobbies. Visitors will be invited on a three-level walk through adventure that provides a virtual and educational insight into the wonderful world of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic. As the first attraction in  Australia to share the WWF brand, the -Antarctic Journey' features state of the art multimedia technology including an augmented reality screen which will allow visitors to appear as though they are patting a penguin, playing with a seal or within arm's reach of a magnificent whale. The Antarctic Journey is open daily from December 14^th and costs $18.00 per adult and $9.00 per child W: www.penguins.org.au

Go Karts on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Phillip Island is home to the annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) event, held in October each year. Families can now experience the excitement of being a professional rider in a race simulator or even race against their friends around the super fast scale replica Go Kart track in one of the new fleet of French made Sodi RT8 solo and tandem go karts. The go kart sessions cost $35 (10 minutes), $60 (20 minutes) and $80 (30 minutes). A minimum age of 12 years applies to single karts and five years (accompanied by an adult) for tandem karts. W: www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au  

Phillip Island Sky Trail

Visitors can experience the excitement and adventure of scaling high above the Island with the opening of Phillip Island's Sky Trail. Standing at three stories high, the intricate rope course and adrenalin pumping challenges are the first of its kind in Victoria making it a must-see and do experience for thrill-seekers. W: www.phillipislandskytrail.com.au 

Island Summer Carnival

Families will love the annual Island Summer Carnival, a traditional carnival packed with rides, entertainment, showbags and carnival food. The young and young at heart can let their hair down on the thrilling selection of rides with all the favourites including big and small rollercoasters, a mirror maze, water balls, bumper boats and a shark bouncing bubble along with the ever popular tea cup ride, dodgem cars, the Animals on the Move petting zoo, snake handler demonstrations and a brilliant Australia Day fireworks display. A delicious selection of carnival food including toffee apples, fairy floss, dagwood dogs and showbags will also be on offer. The Island Summer Carnival runs from 6pm until 11pm every night from 26^th December until 26^th January. W: www.islandsummercarnival.com

Summer Vibes on Churchill Island

Visitors can celebrate the arrival of summer to the sounds of live music, local produce, beer and wine at Summer Vibes on Churchill Island. Music lovers can kick back, relax and take in the glorious views while sampling local cheeses, gourmet produce, beer and wine on the lawns of Churchill Island Heritage Farm. The new chef at the much loved Churchill Island Café has embraced all that our region and the farm has to offer with a sumptuous range of new dishes featuring many ingredients plucked straight from the farm's kitchen garden. Summer Vibes runs every Friday in December and January (except Christmas Day) from 6.00pm until 8.00pm at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Entry to the café and lawn area is free with gourmet food and drinks at menu prices. W: www.penguins.org.au

Bass Strait Direct – Seafood Wholesalers

This summer, gourmands can feast on fresh morsels plucked straight from the Island's waters by new seafood wholesaler, Bass Straight Direct in Newhaven. Each day Bass Straight Direct bring in a tantalising fresh bounty of fish and shellfish including whiting, flathead, snapper and calamari straight from the Island's waters for visitors to choose from.  W: www.facebook.com/bassstraitdirect   

Moonlit Sanctuary Junior Ranger Program

This summer young nature lovers can be a ranger for a day at Moonlit Sanctuary as they take part in an exciting day of environmental activities and enjoy close encounters with native animals. The exciting, day long program is perfect for kids aged 7 – 14 years and includes interactions with dingoes, pythons and -off-limits' animals and provides opportunities for junior rangers to feed the animals and join in lots of fun and games. Ideally located in Pearcedale, Moonlit Sanctuary makes a great stop off on the way to or from Phillip Island. The Junior Ranger program runs from 10am – 4pm for three weeks in January and costs $65 per child per day (or $175 per child for three days). Bookings are essential as places are limited. W: www.moonlitsanctuary.com.au/juniorrangers.aspx