Phillip Island, named after Governor Arthur Phillip, forms a
natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port Bay. It
has 60.3 miles (97km) of coastline, and a 2,091 foot (640m)
concrete bridge connects the mainland town San Remo with the island
town Newhaven.
In the 2001 Census the island's permanent population was 7,071.
During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. With such a
small population, it may be surprising that the penguins of Phillip
Island attract approximately 3.5 million visitors each year. At
sunset, overlooking the beach from the viewing platforms, you will
encounter a wonderful spectacle of the wild fairy penguins emerging
from the sea and crossing the sand to their burrows in the
dunes.