PAGE 10 | LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE PHILLIP ISLAND/SAN REMO Phillip Island At Phillip Island, you’ll discover an area rich in wildlife, stunning coastal vistas and a vast variety of winter outdoor activities, from scenic walks and cycling, to swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, and even golf. Accessible by car, via a bridge from the ‘mainland’, at Phillip Island you can see koalas, kangaroos and penguins up close, stroll along rugged coastal clifftops, visit an historic island farm, and much more. There are many amazing coastal trails to explore, as well as magnificent bay and surf beaches for swimming and surfing. Here are just a few of the places to check out... Newhaven Newhaven is a quaint and tranquil seaside town located just over the bridge on Phillip Island. Here you can enjoy waterfront views as you stroll along the coastline, hit the town’s small and eclectic shops and cafés, launch a boat from the local ramp, and much more. To speak to the local experts on the best things to do and see on Phillip Island, Newhaven is also location of the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre – making it a perfect place to stop as you first arrive on the Island. Cape Woolamai Cape Woolamai features one of Phillip Island’s most popular – and spectacular – coastal walks, the 8.5-kilometre Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk, where you can stroll along the sheer cliff tops of the Island’s most southerly point and be rewarded with wild ocean and cliff-top views, and the spectacular ancient pink granite of a rock formation called the Pinnacles. Cape Woolamai is also home to the largest colony of short-tailed shearwaters (seabirds) on Phillip Island, and is one of the most famous surf beaches in Australia (recommended for experienced surfers only, due to its treacherous rips and currents). If you’re still pining for a dip (unlikely in winter, but you never know!) head for the more sheltered beach on the bay side of Cape Woolamai. San Remo Before you head over the bridge to Phillip Island, be sure to stop in San Remo – a surprising seaside village that has plenty to see and do, from pubs and pelicans, to picnics and piers. The colourful array of boats tied-up by the water’s edge includes the largest fleet of shark f ishing boats in Australia. If you are keen on some serious fishing, book a boat trip from San Remo to fish the deep waters of Bass Strait. Or simply head out on the San Remo jetty to ‘drop in a line’. Pelican fun Pelican feeding, on the foreshore at noon each day, is a treat for all the family, providing plenty of opportunities to get some photos of these big, eye-catching birds. Fare aplenty San Remo’s main street has a variety of shops and galleries, as well as cafés and takeaway stores, and the town’s foreshore is an ideal place to enjoy the perfect family-holiday fare: fish and chips (especially from the foreshore Fisherman’s Co-op, where the fish is as fresh as you’ll find anywhere). Yum! Walking and cycling This village also provides access to some wonderful walking and cycling trails. The popular George Bass Coastal Walk is a scenic cliff-top trail that stretches for seven kilometres from the outskirts of San Remo to Kilcunda. It takes about two hours to walk one way, and offers spectacular coastal views. The walk follows the route of explorer, George Bass, on his voyage of discovery along the southern edge of the Anderson Peninsula, more than 200 years ago. As some climbing of stiles over farm fences is required, a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for the walk. With the George Bass Coastal Walk linking into the Bass Coast Rail Trail, it’s possible to walk from the Punch Bowl in San Remo all the way to Wonthaggi. Another trail to try is the 17-kilometre-long San Remo to Cowes Cycling Track, which is popular with family riders, as it’s mostly flat. To find out more about about this delightful waterside town, go to visitgippsland.com.au and search ‘San Remo’. Luxury coastal escape of island wildlife Information correct at time of publication. Source: toiletmap.gov.au Here’s a list of all-abilities public toilets in this region. All toilets are open during daylight hours, unless otherwise specified. More info at toiletmap.gov.au BASS COAST & SOUTH GIPPSLAND ALL-ABILITIES PUBLIC TOILETS Need a stop? comfort Phillip Island Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, Summerlands (4pm-10pm) Red Rocks, 4 Penguin Avenue, Cowes Berninneit Cultural Centre 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 4 The Esplanade, Cowes Cowes Transit Centre, Church Street, Cowes Rhyll Boat Ramp, 13-14 Beach Road, Rhyll Vista Place, 12 Vista Drive, Cape Woolamai Surf Beach, 183 Woolamai Beach Road Cape Woolamai Forrest Caves, 1285 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven (24 hours) Newhaven Jetty, 1B Beach Crescent, Newhaven San Remo Marine Parade 161 Marine Parade, San Remo Lions Park, Davis Point Road, San Remo (24 hours) Bus Interchange, 8 Railway Road, Anderson (Variable hours) Wonthaggi Watt Street, 73 Watt Street, Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, 1 Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi Skate Park, 58 Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi Guide Park, Graham Street, Wonthaggi Apex Park, 6 Murray Street, Wonthaggi Cape Paterson Surf Beach, 92 Surf Beach Road, Cape Paterson (24 hrs) Browns Bay, 16 Bay Beach Road, Cape Paterson (24 hrs)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTU5ODU=