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Phillip Island

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This article is about Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. For the Phillip Island south of Norfolk Island, see Phillip Island (Norfolk Island).
Map of Phillip Island, Victoria
Map of Phillip Island, Victoria
File:Phillip Island Bridge.jpg
The Phillip Island Bridge
File:Phillip Island MotoGP Rossi.jpg
Valentino Rossi riding in the MotoGP
File:Phillip Island Fairy Penguins.jpg
Fairy Penguins
File:Phillip Island Koala.jpg
Koala

Named after Governor Arthur Phillip, Phillip Island in Victoria (Australia) forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port Bay. The island area is 10000 hectares and it is 26 kilometers long and 9 kilometers at its widest[1]. It has 97km of coastline. A 640 metre concrete bridge connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven[1]. In the 2001 Census the island's permanent population was 7071[2]. During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.



Part of the Bass Coast Shire, it is mainly a tourist destination. It attracts 3.5 million visitors annually[1]. The Penguin Parade (see little penguin) is the main tourist venues, with visitors from all over the world coming to see one of the few areas where this species of penguin can be seen. Another popular tourist attraction is the Seal Rocks which host the largest colony of fur seals in Australia (up to 16,000[3]). In late September, the evening skies above Phillip Island darken as Short-tailed Shearwater birds begin to arrive on the island after completing a 16,000 km journey from the Bering Strait around the Aleutian Islands near Alaska[4]. They come to breed in sand dune burrows. During the summer months, over one million short-tailed shearwaters are on the island. In 1996, the state government created an award winning not-for-profit organisation called Phillip Island Nature Parks which protects the natural wonders of the island.

On New Year's Eve the island hosts the Pyramid Rock Festival.

The island is recognised as having some of the most consistently reliable and varied surf conditions in the country. The island has hosted various surf events in the past, such as the Rip Curl Pro in 2005 (when conditions at Bells Beach were unfavourable) and the Roxy Pro Women's Surfing Festival.

Fishing is an ongoing industry and attraction on the island. Snapper, King George Whiting, School Sharks and Gummy Sharks are common catches.

Water is supplied to the island from Candowie Reservoir which is managed by Westernport Water. Australia suffered a severe drought in 2006 (see Drought in Australia).Towns on and around the island include:

See List of localities (Victoria) for other Victorian towns and cities.

Sharks

Events and Festivals

Climate

Phillip Island experiences milder weather than Melbourne and is tempered by ocean breezes. The mean daily maximum temperature for February is 24.7°C (76.5°F), while for July it is 13.4°C (56.1°F). The mean annual rainfall is 782.3 millimetres (30.8 in), with June being the wettest month (88.1 mm/3.5 in). The prevailing wind for most of the year is a South-Westerly which blows in off Bass Strait.

On the 10th of August 2005, snow was observed on the island[5]. This was a very unusual event.

Motor Racing

See Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c Phillip Island The Age, Travel Section
  2. ^ 2001 Population Statistics Bass Coast Shire Council Website
  3. ^ Inter Island FerriesAbout Phillip Island
  4. ^ Phillip Island Nature ParkWildlife Program
  5. ^ Australian Government Bureau of MeteorologySnow in Victoria

38°29′S 145°14′E / 38.483°S 145.233°E / -38.483; 145.233


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