Phillip Island

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Map of Phillip Island, Victoria

Named after Governor Arthur Phillip, Phillip Island in Victoria (Australia) forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port Bay. The island area is 10300 hectares and it is 26 kilometres long and 9 kilometres at its widest. It has 97km of coastline. A 640 metre concrete bridge connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven. In 2005/06 the island's permanent population was approximately 7000. During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.

Part of the Bass Coast Shire, it is mainly a tourist destination. It attracts 3.5 million visitors annually. The Penguin Parade (see little penguin) is the main tourist venues, with visitors from all over the world coming to see one of the few areas where this species of penguin can be seen. Another popular tourist attraction is the Seal Rocks which host the largest colony of fur seals in Australia (up to 16,000). On September the 24th, the evening skies above Phillip Island darken as Short-tailed Shearwater birds begin to arrive on the island after completing a 16,000 km journey from the Bering Strait around the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. They come to breed in sand dune burrows. During the summer months, over one million short-tailed shearwaters are on the island. In 1996, the state government created an award winning not-for-profit organisation called Phillip Island Nature Parks which protects the natural wonders of the island.

On New Year's Eve the island hosts the Pyramid Rock Festival.

The island is recognised as having some of the most consistently reliable and varied surf conditions in the country. The island has hosted various surf events in the past, such as the Rip Curl Pro in 2005 (when conditions at Bells Beach were unfavourable) and the Roxy Pro Women's Surfing Festival.

Fishing is an ongoing industry and attraction on the island. Snapper, King George Whiting, School Sharks and Gummy Sharks are common catches.

During events and holidays, traffic becomes particularly heavy. The main road on the island (Phillip Island Road, running between the towns Newhaven to Cowes) normally operates with 2 lanes. To aid efficient flow of traffic, a blue line on the road comes into effect adding an extra lane. Reduced speed limits are applied during these times.

Water is supplied to the island from Candowie Reservoir which is managed by Westernport Water. Australia suffered a severe drought in 2006 (see Drought in Australia). Toward the end of 2006, Westernport Water recognized that water levels were at an all time low. This was particularly concerning with the holiday season quickly approaching. They proceeded to drill for water, and struck success at the bottom of Anderson Hill. This supply is expected to yield 1 million litres per day which will account for 15% of the predicted demand. Similar sources are expected to be found at King Road in Bass and Corinella. Stage 4 water restrictions remain in place on the island.

A gas pipeline has not been run to the island. All gas appliances are supplied with bottled gas.

Towns on and around the island include:

See List of localities (Victoria) for other Victorian towns and cities.

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Contents

[edit] Sharks

White Pointer Sharks keep the local seal population under control. There have been no reports of sharks attacking people, though it is possible that a shark could mistake a person for a seal. The sharks tend to stay away from beaches. Search helicopters and spotter planes are used to observe the sharks. When a shark is spotted, local police close down beaches.

[edit] Notable Catches

A 6.3 meter (21 foot) White Pointer Shark was caught by shark hunter Vic Hyslop in the 1980s. The shark was frozen and taken to Queensland for display.

[edit] Notable Sightings

In January 2007 a shark was spotted multiple times swimming around the Anderson Street boat ramp in Cowes. Seals were also spotted in the vicinity. The shark was estimated to be 6 meters in length. Local beaches were temporarily closed down.

[edit] Events and Festivals

[edit] Climate

Phillip Island experiences milder weather than Melbourne and is tempered by ocean breezes. The mean daily maximum temperature for February is 24.7°C (76.5°F), while for July it is 13.4°C (56.1°F). The mean annual rainfall is 782.3 millimetres (30.8 in), with June being the wettest month (88.1 mm/3.5 in).

On the 10th of August 2005, snow was observed on the island. This was a very unusual event.

[edit] Motor Racing

See Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 38°29′S 145°14′E

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