Episode 12: Phillip Island
This week, the Postcards team head to Phillip Island to visit the penguins, stay in luxury, see the island from a kayak and indulge in a foodie feast from fresh trout to island-made chocolate.
Cliff Top and Phillip Island Winery
The drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island is about two hours, and if you're looking to relax, a great place to start is at the Phillip Island Winery. This winery has been producing award-winning wines in the rich and productive volcanic soil of the island for 18 years. All the work is done by hand and owner Tim O'Brien is always on hand to take you through the range.
To spend more time on the island, Cliff Top Boutique Accommodation is just a few kilometres down the road. Offering seven luxurious guest rooms and suites, you can smell the fresh sea air and hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach below.
Phillip Island Winery
414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor
Ph 03 5956 8465
phillipislandwines.com.au
Cliff Top Accommodation
1 Marlin Street, Smiths Beach
Ph 03 5952 1033
clifftop.com.au
Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm
The Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm is an award winning Phillip Island attraction for everyone who loves to fish. First timers and old salts can hire rods with buckets and bait included, and you can have lessons. Once you've caught your trout, you can get it cleaned, marinated and wrapped in foil, ready for your barbie. Or you can ask Mary in the restaurant to cook it for you if you feel like a succulent baked trout or tempting tempura fish and chips. And while she's doing that you can wander through the bush tucker trail.
Rhyll Trout And Bush Tucker Farm
30 Rhyll-Newhaven Road, Rhyll
Ph 03 5956 9255
rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au
Panny's Chocolate Factory and the Phillip Island research tour
Panny's is part of the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, which specialises in premium handmade chocolates. If you like your treats dark, white, milk, with nuts, fruit, flavoured or cream-filled, it'll be there. But it's more than just a chocolate shop. Panny's Amazing World of Chocolate is an interactive and artistic experience of all things chocolate.
Once you've had your chocolate fill, a visit to the island with the family wouldn't be complete without catching up with the famous little penguins. Tourists have been flocking to Phillip Island to view the cute feathered residents since the 1920s. The new Penguin Island Tour is part of their ever-evolving visitor education program. There are approximately 3000 penguins in the parade area and the tour details how they are tracked, including monitoring in the skybox.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
930 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven
Ph 03 5956 6600
phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au
Penguin Parade
Phillip Island Nature Parks
1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands
Ph 03 5951 2800
penguins.org.au
Whitehouse and Cleanskin Cooking School
Phillip Island Whitehouse in Rhyll is the home to a modern B&B and a few fury friends, on three and a half acres of farmland overlooking Westernport Bay. At this couples retreat, peace and quiet is guaranteed with only two queen rooms. A continental breakfast is delivered to your room the night before and it's worth rising early to see the sunrise from this beautiful little dining spot that faces east.
It's only a ten-minute drive to the hub of Cowes, where there are all sorts of shops, including the Cleanskin, a gastronomic theme park. Cleanskin understands the importance of being well equipped on your culinary adventures and provides all the requirements, including a fantastic program of cooking classes like the Wilton Cookie Class Project.
Phillip Island Whithouse
380 Rhyll–Newhaven Road, Rhyll
Ph 03 5956 9231
phillipislandwhitehouse.com.au
Cleanskin Kitchenware and Larder
158 Thompson Avenue, Cowes
Ph 03 5952 3494
cleanskinkitchenware.com.au
Pioneer Kayaking, Waves, Rusty Water Brewery
Most visitors to Phillip Island spend a fair bit of time by the water, and if you're looking for a bit of an adventure, try looking at the water from a different perspective with Pioneer Kayaking.
The Waves is on The Esplanade in Cowes and close to the shops and beach. The modern, family friendly apartments each have a kitchenette, a private balcony and an ensuite with a corner spa bath.
If you are pining for a boutique pint while you're visiting the island, then head to Rusty Water Brewery. Home to Phillip Island's only handcrafted beer, you can also indulge in great food from a diverse menu with everything from the Rusty Beef Pie to a pan fried chicken breast that can be enjoyed outside on the deck or inside by the fire.
Pioneer Kayaking
Ph 0459 219 317
pioneerkayaking.com.au
The Waves
1 The Esplanade, Cowes
Ph 03 5952 1351
thewaves.com.au
Rusty Water Brewery & Restaurant
1821 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes
Ph 03 5952 1666
rustywaterbrewery.com.au
Postcards diary
Back to Booktown
Book lovers don't dare miss this year's annual weekend book show, featuring the greatest collection of rare, out of print and second hand books in Australia.
Where: Clunes
When: 5–6 May
More: booktown.clunes.org
Puffing Billy Great Train Race
Or for a great family day out, head to the Dandenong Ranges to watch the runners and soak up all the atmosphere and fun of this year's race.
Where: Dandenong Ranges
When: 6 May
More: puffingbilly.com.au
Annie
It's time to book for the whole family to see the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie.
Where: The Regent Theatre, Melbourne
When: from 24 May
More: 1300 111 011 or ticketmaster.com.au