| Phillip Island is situated off the
far south of the picturesque Gippsland region of Victoria. About 140km or two hours from
the city, this island is connected to the mainland by a bridge at San Remo. Its proximity
to Melbourne and its salubrious climate makes it a popular city getaway. The weather on
the island fairly temperate - cool in winter with average temperatures of
around 12°C and warm to hot in summer with temperatures going up to 35°C. Once called Snapper Island by George Bass, who came to it in
1798, it soon became familiar to most people as Grant Island. The island is an area of
enormous diversity, offering everything from sandy beaches for swiming and sunbathing on
the leeward northern side to rugged cliffs, strange rock formations, blowholes and
pounding surf.
The island were once a favoured nesting colony of
seals which the aborigines used it as a larder until 19th century when
sealers hunted entire colonies of seals into near extinction. Fortunately for
the seals and the other indigenous wildlife on the island, it has now been developed as a
holiday resort and major wildlife reserve.
Around a 100 sq kms in area, it takes just half an
hour to drive across the width of the island. The topography of the island is basically
flat with low hils breaking the monotony. The highest point on the island is Cape
Woolamai, while Cowes on the north coast is the main town. Most of the shopping centres,
residential areas and hotels and restaurants are located in Cowes. Rhyll and Newhaven are
the other little townships on Phillip Island. |
