Phillip Island's big events

Phillip Island is a small island in the south of Australia, about 87 miles away from the big city of Melbourne. It is a big tourist destination, obvious from the fact that during the summer season the population increases in size by almost 6 times of that during the rest of the year. 3.5 million tourists make reservations for Phillip Island accommodation and flock to the island each year for many reasons, including the climate, animals, surfing, and the island’s popular sport of motor racing.

Due to the breeze from the ocean, the temperatures on Phillip Island are fairly mild, reaching a maximum of comfortable mid 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the summer, and 56 degrees during the winter. The climate makes for a pleasant vacation destination all year round.

Phillip Island is one of the few places in the world where Little Penguins can be found. In fact, they can only be found on the Australian, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Chatham Islands coastlines, with the exception of a few that have been spotted in Chile. Besides being rare in their habitat locations, these penguins are also rare when it comes to their physical features. As their name suggests, Little Penguins are small; at 17 inches tall and 2 pounds, they are actually the smallest of all penguin species. Unlike the black and white combination that people are so used to seeing, these penguins are dark blue and white in color. Tourists who visit the Phillip Island Nature Park have the rare opportunity to watch the penguins in their natural habitat, when, at sunset, the penguins come out of the water in groups to return to their burrow homes. In addition to Little Penguins tourists can see, and even sometimes interact with, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats, which are all other animals unique to Australia.

Australia is known as a popular country to surf in, especially on Phillip Island. The water is ideal for surfers since the conditions in this part of the country are very reliable. The climate is conducive to a quality surfing season.

In addition to the pleasant climate, interesting animals, beautiful nature, and quality surfing, which are all to be expected from Australia, Phillip Island is also known for motor racing at the Phillip Island Circuit. Since its start in 1928, Phillip Island Motor Racing has been a large part of the island’s history and culture. If you are not in town for a race you can still visit the Circuit, where in the interactive Visitors Centre you can view the History of Motor Sport Display, go on a guided tour, drive go-karts, go for a ride with Hot Laps, play with slot cars, visit the interactive game room and playground, and take a break in the café.

In 1928 the Australian Grand Prix was held on the island, and since then various other races, such as Australian Drivers’ Championship, V8 Supercars, and the Superbike World Championship, have been held there. Over the years, the Grand Prix Circuit has gone through many changes. The original track was made up of dirt and rock filled roads, which resulted in a dangerous track with limited visibility, so was only used until 1935. The next track was built in 1951 by a group of businessmen, but after a few years this track also had to be closed due to irreparable damage. Since then, several other tracks have been built but due to expensive repairs, reconstruction, wear and tear, ownership and financial issues, the life of the circuit has been very inconsistent. In 1989 a new track was reopened and has been in use since. Planning for an addition to the current track is underway, and will include a golf course, a go-kart track, and additional Phillip Island Accommodation.

On a 45 minute guided tour you will be granted access to the backstage areas of the circuit, where normally only racers and employees are allowed. Visit the Control Tower, the Media Center, the Pit Garages, Race Control, and the winner’s podium. After the tour you can try your hand at racing by getting in a go-kart and racing with beautiful views of the coast. If you want to get out of the kart and into a car, try an HSV Hot Lap for a speed and adrenaline rush. Jump in the passenger seat of a racecar and have a professional driver spin you around the circuit 3 times. If you would rather be in control of the car, visit the Interactive Game Room and climb atop a motorcycle or car for your own practice. Or, have fun with the slot cars, where you race miniature cars on the fastest and biggest racecar track in Australia, which is a replica of the actual circuit. After all this racing you will need a break, so visit the Champions Café for lunch and dessert.