We probably should have come to Frankston via Phillip Island, but with the weather the way it has been, we decided it was best to get to Frankston, set up, and then we could do a day trip later.   Val had hurt her back, although the physio says it is coming from her hip, and I don't think K & V were that keen on visiting the Island in any case.  So we decided to go on Sunday and maybe stay the night!  Well that was more my plan than Peter's as I wanted to do the touristy bit and see the 'Little Penquin Parade'! So with our lunch packed (no fine dining Tammy) and an overnight bag, just in case, we set off about 9.30am.  We had a late coffee at San Remo and found out that the 'Big Wave' Aussie Icon was over the bridge at the Surf Shop on the Island.  The icon is rated 7 out of 10 on the Iconmetre, but Pete didn't give it much at all!  But the whole Surf Shop area was pretty specky.  There was half a Comby Van that anyone was able to use for a photo shoot.  We continued on that road noting the cycle way that continued with us for miles or rather kilometres.   Looks as though you could have a relaxing holiday here and cycle to your hearts content!We headed to the first beach at Cape Woolamai.  Great waves out there and there was a Boardriding Compeition on.  Plenty of guys in the carpark changing out of their wetsuits!  Budgie Smugglers everywhere!  Peter noticed a few cars with these D Bolt type of combination locks hanging from their door handles or bumpers.  Obviously the safe place for their keys. From there we found Smiths Beach a bit further down the coast and were surprised to see so many people heading to the beach with their Boogy Boards.  Far too cold for us to consider taking to the water!  There were families on the beach playing cricket and flying kites.  A plaque at Smiths Beach said "Phillip Island was the home of the first Surf Livesaving Club in 1959".  The Boardriders Club was established on the Island in 1963.Onwards we went and surprise of surprises we came to Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and there was a competition happening!   We had been talking about Bathurst and Jenny's blog the night before and Phillip Island had been part of the discussion.   So we stood for a while looking through the fence with me trying to take photos like I had at Mogo Zoo!  I ended up with a few that would have sufficed!  Back into the car and a bit further down the road we found the drive into the main gate and the Visitors Centre.  So 20 bucks later we had tickets to the Museum and a chance to view the circuit from the 'Viewing Hill'.  We stayed there for a while enjoying the thrill of being that close and the noice!  It was certainly Brrrmm, Brrmm as they roared around.  But there is more!!  On the way out Peter said about buying a ticket and wondered how much it would cost.  This time it was me saying "If you want to do it, now is the time.  We probably won't be back"!  It was the first round of the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship.  Saturday had been qualifying sessions.   The girl on the gate said as it was a Public Meeting and it was a good day to attend.  Attendees could drive anywhere around the track, go through the tunnel to the inside and up onto the viewing deck.   From here you could look down over the pits and the home straight.  So with our seniors discount, it was $20 each and away we went.  It really was an enjoyable afternoon.  We ate our packed lunch trackside of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The radio was tuned into the commentary and the song they were playing was 'I Can't Get Enough of You Baby'.  Not that I think Pete was tuned into the song at all!  Lots of photos were taken as they roared down Gardner Straight, into Doohan Corner and around the Southern Loop and into Bass Strait along the waters edge.  Then into Honda Corner and Siberia.  Mind you lots of photos will be deleted, but you do think you have to keep taking another, whilst you are there!  We were close to the action on all these sections of the track.  Another box ticked that we never imagined would be possible!  Now what about this 'Little Penquin Parade'?  It was time to continue on our travels and check out what we might do.  We had filled up most of the afternoon, so that meant there was a chance I could keep Peter there long enough.   First though we took the walking track to Pyramid Rock and there were more photos of the rugged coastline on Bass Strait.When we got to Summerland Beach, home of the 'Little Penquins', we were blown away at the size of this tourist attraction.  Peter had been telling me these 'Little Penquins' were the same as the ones we had seen at Safety Bay.  I was not convinced, because they were 'Fairy Penquins'.  Well it seems they can be no longer called 'Fairy Penquins' because of the 'Gay' community and they are now 'Little Penquins'.  Hard to believe isn't it?  So after filling in enough of the late afternoon at the final tourist attraction 'The Nobbles'  we headed back to prepare for the 'Little Penquin Parade'.  Another $22.50 each and we joined the masses to view these little fellas coming home from their day of feeding in the ocean.  They dive to catch their food between 200 and 1300 times during the day.  They can stay underwater for about 25 seconds.  Before they come ashore they group up about 200 metres offshore.   When they are grouped together in the ocean it is a raft of penquins and once on the beach it is a waddle.  They don't come in until it is dark and by then it was absolutely freezing cold!  We were two of about 400 people sitting on either the sand or the concrete tiered seating.  It really was quite unbelievable!  There are lights shining down onto the beach so you do see the little waddles coming from the water.  They formed their small groups and they were very hesitate to cross the sand.  Once they think it is safe, they quickly make their way up the beach to their homes.  The walk back from the beach, across the boardwalk was probably the best.  They have lighting along the sides and there were little penquins everywhere fluffing their feathers, waiting for their mate, before they burrowed into their holes.  There is absolutely no photography and the Rangers keep very good control of that.  I have found one of my Safety Bay photos taken in 2010. We are glad we have had the experieince and maybe if it hadn't been so cold, we would have enjoyed it more.  The money from admissions is used for the conservation work on Phillip Island.I didn't get the overnight stay as we travelled back to the caravan park, and were home by about 8.30pm.

Another day full of sightseeing and experiencing the attractions of Oz.  12 photos