Phillip Island listed among top places to visit across the world

Phillip Island has been named as one of the best places to visit across the world. But locals say there’s a reason their region stands out above the rest.

Phillip Island has been named one of the best places to travel in the world, according to the annual New York Times list.

The popular holiday destination ranked number 24 of the 52 best places to travel in 2022 — and was one of only two Australian places to make the list.

Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island ranked number 24 and the Daintree Forest in Queensland rounded out the list at number 52.

Catherine Basterfield, Phillip Island Nature Parks CEO, said she was proud the Summerland destination had received the nod.

“We’ve always known how special this area is, but to be recognised on such a global scale alongside other spectacular destinations is really exciting,” she said.

Ms Basterfield said the recognition was testament to the remarkable conservation efforts which have protected Phillip Island’s little penguins from potential local extinction to become the thriving and much-loved colony it is today.

Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island

The visitor lookout and centre on Summerland Beach

The south-coast fairy penguins, the smallest breed of penguins in the world, stands at about 30cm tall and weighs only one kilogram.

Each sunset the colony marches across the sand from the ocean on Summerland Beach to their nests.

The habitual walk has been drawing crowds to the beach for over 100 years but gained more attention after being streamed online in 2020.

“Our little penguins rose to global fame when Live Penguin TV livestream launched in 2020, capturing the hearts of more than 25 million viewers – and their international stardom is showing no sign of slowing down,” Ms Basterfield said.

The population now sits at 35,000, up from 12,000 in the 1980s and is the largest colony of the species in the world.
Bass Coast Shire Council mayor Michael Whelan said before the pandemic hit, around 64,000 international visitors would make their way to Bass Coast every year.

“We know that the last two years have been impacted heavily by Covid, but prior to that, the visitor economy contributed to around 44 per cent of Bass Coast’s Gross Regional Product,” Cr Whelan said.
“The Penguin Parade, now operated by Phillip Island Nature Parks, is world renowned and is the primary reason why many visitors come to Bass Coast. It’s fantastic to see the work that Nature Parks is doing around sustainability and protecting the natural environment recognised on an international level.”