Thursday 14 November

Brighton Beach near Melbourne was our first stop

The kangaroos were quite lively but we couldn't get close to the koalas

Another bad night. Then up at 8.30 and breakfast next door. I had delicious porridge. Had to get a new room key. We met Matthew and Sarah in the hotel foyer for our day trip to Phillip Island.

The bus picked us up and was full. The weather was wet and windy all day. First stop Brighton Beach, near St. Kilda, to see the colourful old beach huts and have an instant coffee. Our guide Liam was very laid back.


Then off on the long drive to Phillip Island, over the Bunyip River. We stopped at Maru wild animal centre for a  meagre lunch of one sandwich, and chance to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and dingoes.

Next stop was a chocolate factory, not a patch on Lindt. Then a brief stop at a famous surf beach. We stopped in Cowes for a meal but everywhere was closed. Then Nobbies rocks to see seals, but no luck. We admired the volcanic blow hole where a cave had formed.

Nobbies volcanic rocks but no seals today

Then at last to the penguin parade. We had seats quite near the front but no photos were allowed. A seagull stole my egg sandwich. We saw lots of small penguins emerging from the sea and coming up the beach in groups to find their nests. It was cold and wet but exciting.

There was a long drive back to Melbourne arriving back at 11.30pm.