Phillip Island's best kept secret

Cliffs of light brown weathered basalt are made distinctive by a band of red as they rise above and around the small cove to the west of Grossard Point.

This spectacular section of cliffs -- with its sandy cove -- is the island's best kept secret. The view from the boardwalk look-out is a stunning 270° -- from the Nobbies to the southwest, across Western Port Bay to Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula. Then you follow the coastline northwards past the small seaside towns of Flinders, Shoreham, Point Leo, Merricks, Balnarring and Somers; ending at Sandy Point. Beyond, Tortoise Head on French Island is a distinctive land mark.

A brass plaque incorporates a map and compass bearings, and is inset in the timber seating at the look-out.

From this elevated point you can see McHaffies Reef extending 700 m from Grossard Point into the busy shipping channel. It's easy to see why a warning light is needed.

To the south lies the Hen and Chicken Reef which, from our house, tells us when the tide is out.

Perfection for fishing and surfing: Phillip Is.

If I was to create the perfect place to fish and surf, Flynns Beach on Phillip Island would be close to this idea of perfection -- give or take a shark or two!

The bush track to Flynn's Beach: Phillip Is.

The bush track that winds its way through coastal scrub, deep golden sand, and a hillside of calcified roots opens out into a wide vista of surf and golden sand called Flynn's Beach.

Aside from coastal tea tree and banksia, hakeas in flower are the next most common vegetation -- and these I show you in the photos.

The way the track winds its way through a tunnel of vegetation reminds me of a magnificent cathedral: hushed, contained.

'Street of lights' up Western Port Bay

The Western Port Bay shipping channel follows an ancient river course, and is marked by a 'street of lights' all the way to the industrial town of Hastings. There is little room for error.

At Grossard Point, McHaffie reef extends 700 m towards the shipping channel. It is, therefore, a vital place to have a warning light.

A white, red and green flashing light at Grossard Point indicates danger, along with a red buoy showing the seaward end of the reef.

The gas tanker shown in the photo ( called Bering Sea) is going up the channel to Cribb Point, where it will be filled with gas. On its return journey it will pass our home again, and will then head into Bass Strait -- towards an overseas destination.

From our home we can see the Grossard Point light. Like a lighthouse it suggests safe passage through a difficult section of water. For this reason it's a reassuring presence.

Roller coaster of emotions: Easter Saturday

Emotionally I feel all over the place today. My close friend, Edna, who I've been meeting every Saturday morning for the last 15 years -- along with about six other women friends -- has left the island today. This morning was her last Saturday morning with us.

We meet for coffee, conversation and laughter at a restaurant in Cowes called 'Harry's on the Esplanade'. Here the owners Kirsten and Harry, and their staff (especially Jip and Eva) look after us like honoured guests. The view out to sea, past the Cowes jetty and over Western Port Bay to French Island, is breathtaking.

Edna and I met on the beach track here at Ventnor. It was as if we'd known each other a lifetime and beyond. Edna's a strong spiritual person with deep compassion. Life hasn't been easy for her, beginning with the disability of polio as a child. However, she is strong and has a great sense of humour.

This afternoon Doug and I went to look at the art exhibition held in Cowes every Easter. Five paintings -- the creation of my friend Jill -- were the main reason for my visit. Jill and I grew up as next-door neighbours in Melbourne, until we both left home in our early 20s. We pretended we were sisters, so when Jill and her husband moved to Phillip Island a couple of years ago, our reunion was wonderful. We hadn't seen each other for 40 years!

Apart from Jill's paintings, which were of exceptional quality, I felt a sad sense of dislocation. Although we have lots of good friends here on the island, I don't feel part of the community. It's not like Mitchell where I feel connected and feel appreciated for who I am.

So today has seen my emotions all over the place. Add to that a savage westerly gale and I find myself thinking: Mitchell, outback Queensland.

Yet, as I look around me at the dramatic coastal scenery, I sense that many people would wonder why I'd ever want to leave the island. For those of you who've followed my journey, through this blog, I think you'll understand my reasons for wanting to migrate back to outback Queensland.

Kitty Miller Bay in all its glory: Phillip Island

Kitty Miller Bay -- on Phillip Island's rugged south coast -- is a stunning place well-known for its challenging surf and rock fishing. One km west of the bay lies the remnants of S. S. Speke, built in Wales in 1891, and now a rusted wreck. This ship was one of the largest three-mast ships of its day; now it provides challenge for those who enjoy exploring ship wrecks.

My attraction to Kitty Miller Bay, however, comes from its rugged beauty. Columns of black basalt -- studded with orange lichens -- make a dramatic statement, and in all directions, the views are breathtaking. You can even see to Pyramid Rock.

Sitting on boulders at the head of the bay, Doug and I sat for about half an hour. The sound of crashing waves and the eerie cry of gulls made conversation difficult, so we sat quietly absorbing the power of the seascape, letting the sound lull us into a peaceful state of mind.

PS
Before we left for Kitty Miller Bay, I was speaking to Angi on the phone. I mentioned our outing and she said she wished she could come to. I took lots of photos, Angi, and hope you enjoy the outing, even though you're in Mitchell. I'll show you more tomorrow.

Manna gum leaves are koalas top food

A koala's favourite food is the leaves of the manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), although they also eat the leaves from swamp gums, Tasmanian blue gums, river red gums and yellow box. Koalas are fussy about their food, eat up to 1 kg of gum leaves every day and usually select the youngest most tender leaves.

The name koala comes from an Aboriginal word that means "no drink". This is because koalas usually get enough to drink from the gum leaves, and any dew or rain that has collected on the leaves. Koala droppings (see the photo with the droppings that have fallen onto the timber ledge of the boardwalk) fall from the tree, are dry and smell of eucalyptus. Other photos show claw marks on the trunks of trees.

The manna gum growing at the entrance to the Koala Conservation Centre is estimated to be over 200 years old. Its massive trunk and pale twisted branches are impressive. The manna gums growing within the 6h sanctuary feed the resident koalas and provide an attractive parklike forest -- with the wetland alongside studded with water birds.

PS
Our outing to the Koala Conservation Centre was chosen as a pick-me-up for Doug who had a large skin cancer cut from his forehead the day before. He needed something quiet and interesting to take his mind from his sore and aching head.