The Phillip Island Penguin Parade IS Phillip Island in its pure element. Nature meets commercialism. Summerlands Bay has always been a picturesque beach even before the natural penguin show became commercialized. The bay was the birthplace of Surfing on Phillip Island during the 1920s. It was also the place where a teenager by the name of Albert West was rabbitiing on his pushbike in the area and he heard birds making noises in their burrows. He looked up the birds in a book - fairy penguins. It was the start of a life of devotion to them.
You can read his story from the link here from the Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser -
Al(Bert) West - father of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
We thank Bert for his work and devotion especially over the early years to keep the penguins safe. He helped to create an area where humans can come and experience the wonder of this parade every night. During the lockdowns during the pandemic, the parade was live on the internet!
The impressive Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, which won an award for its design, is the usual way to enter the beach for the parade. It does not usually open until 5 pm or a few hours before the parade so you cannot enter this way when it is closed.
***You can park and visit the viewing areas during the day for free. See the Parking waypoint. Summerlands Bay beach is a public beach. An access path has been created from St Helens Road, a gravel road to the west of the Centre. ***
This path is open 7.30am - 5pm Daylights savings time and 7.30am-4pm other times - ie Closed in time to prepare for the parade at night and overnight.
Of course you can complete this cache when visiting the penguins as a paying visitor to the parade- GZ and WP1 are in the General Admission area. BUT FIND THE WPs WHILE IT IS LIGHT AS NO FLASHLIGHTS ALLOWED WHEN PENGUINS ARE COMING IN .
The Penguins' arrival differs in seasons according to the sunset. . Check the information at this website -
https://www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/opening-times/
TO COMPLETE THIS CACHE -
You need to send me the answers of questions from information obtained at WP1 and GZ.
When you post your log, attached a photo of the area to complete the requirements - the coastal view, a penguins coming in/ your experience - feel free to include yourself - the idea is to have an array of photographs of this spot for the enjoyments of others as this is an international tourist attraction.
WP1 Question -Bert West is the father of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. What DATE was a plaque placed here declaring that the boardwalk is to be named after him?
GZ Question- There is a wall - there are people mentioned on a plaque that are important for the penguins to have refuge here - Who are they?
FTF went to local Islander surefoot24 - well done
(PS If you want to stretch you legs and find a traditional cache at the other end of the bay -
GC8A40W PENGUIN PICNIC is still active but check the tides.)
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.