SEAL ROCKS

Phillip Island is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. Named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.

A 640 m concrete bridge (originally a wooden bridge) connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven. In the 2011 census the island's permanent population was 9,406, compared to 7,071 in 2001. During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.

Seal Rocks is a group of rocky inlets along Phillip island's coastline. It is home to Australia's largest fur seal population, numbering around 16,000. The population peaks between late October to December, but it is possible to view seals at all times of the year. Seals eat squid, cuttlefish and small fish. They can dive up to 100m and have excellent underwater vision.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. Named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire. A 640 m concrete bridge (originally a wooden bridge) connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven.

In the 2011 census the island's permanent population was 9,406, compared to 7,071 in 2001. During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.

Seal Rocks, seen here, is a group of rocky inlets along Phillip island's coastline. They are home to Australia's largest fur seal population, numbering around 16,000. The population peaks between late October to December, but it is possible to view seals at all times of the year. Seals eat squid, cuttlefish and small fish. They can dive up to 100m and have excellent underwater vision.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

I for ISLAND

The Darebin Parklands are an island of green, serene, natural environment within the surrounding sprawl of Melbourne's inner suburbs. And within the ponds of the Parklands one may find the occasional island on which there is a further little ecological niche where creatures may find refuge. These ibises certainly are enjoying the extra protection that such an island provides.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

NEWHAVEN, PHILLIP ISLAND

Newhaven is a town in southern Victoria, in the south Gippsland region, 126 km SE of Melbourne. Located on Phillip Island, adjacent to the channel known as The Narrows, it is the town on the island side of the concrete 640 m bridge linking Phillip Island to the mainland. At the 2006 census, Newhaven had a population of 428. The Post Office opened on 1 January 1873 and closed in 1975.

The town's economy is primarily based on retirement living and tourism, and has a fine Yacht Club with marina. Atlantis Nereus tidal turbines are installed at Newhaven. In 1980, Newhaven College was established and Newhaven Primary School has been situated in Newhaven for a great number of years.

This post is part of the ABC Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Town Shootout meme.

THE NOBBIES, PHILLIP ISLAND

The Nobbies is a magnificent headland on the south-western tip of Phillip Island. Strolling along the boardwalks around The Nobbies, one can enjoy coastal views at lookout points set amongst natural sea bird gardens. Around one kilometre offshore from The Nobbies is Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals. These creatures can be seen as they sun themselves on the rocks, feed their young, wrestle, or flop into the cool water.

This post is part of the Wednesday Waters meme,
and also part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.