Phillip Island

Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, was named after governor Arthur Phillip. Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port, the bay which surrounds Phillip Island on the northern side. Phillip Island covers approximately 10,000 hectares, is 20 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide at its widest point. Phillip Island has 97km of coastline. A concrete bridge, opened in 1972, connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven. Phillip Island has a permanent population of about 7000, but during the summer season the population of Phillip Island swells to 50,000. Around 60% of Phillip Island is farmland, mainly running sheep and cattle, but during the last century Phillip Island was a major producer of chicory. Part of the Bass Coast Shire (after the council amalgamations the old Shire of Phillip Island ceased to exist), Phillip Island is mainly a tourist destination, visited by over 3.5 million people each year. The Penguin Parade, part of Phillip Island Nature Park and where the Little Penguins come ashore in groups, attracts visitors from all over the world. Another popular tourist attraction on Phillip Island is Seal Rock, which hosts the largest colony of Australian Fur Seals in Australia. On New Years Eve Phillip Island hosts the Pyramid Rock Festival Phillip Island is recognized as having some of the most consistently reliable and varied surf conditions in the country. Phillip Island is also great for boating and swimming, and Phillip Island is less than two hours drive from Melbourne.