A submarine in the Bay

We were very surprised to see a submarine anchored in Western Port Bay as we cycled into Cowes.  We had a few theories as to why it might be there, including that it had come in search of sought-after diesel, given the current fuel crisis.  

It was a lovely morning as we continued along the waterfront for a morning coffee at Anerie café, run by the same people who owned the restaurant. We sat outside in the sun to enjoy our drinks, though Andrew ended up wearing some of his following Julie’s ill-timed nudge of the wobbly table giving his clothing a distinct mango aroma. 

The track through Conservation Hill Reserve was very scenic as it wound through coastal woodland and paperbark forest with views of the mudflats, mangroves and wetlands. We continued along the grassy cliff top into town for lunch at My Seaside Café. 

 Near Rhyll Jetty, we stopped to admire the “Ferry Captain”, a carving made from a cypress tree blown down in a storm in 2016.  A local artist used the remaining stump and trunk to create a carving which depicted the relationship the village of Rhyll has with the sea.

Julie was excited to see some Barren Geese on our way back to Cowes but I wasn’t close enough to take a photo.  Once close to extinction, there is now a significant population on Phillip Island.  

After stopping in Cowes for sushi dinner supplies, we had a quiet couple of hours back at the house before the taxi arrived to take us to the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.  It was a windy evening, so we had rugged up with all our warm clothes, and Julie had accessorised with a hot water bottle.  

We enjoyed our dinner in the Visitors Centre before following the boardwalks down to the seafront, his time with a close-up view of the Barren Geese. We settled onto the concrete steps and waited for the parade to start. 

Although very close to the front, we weren’t in the best position as the penguins passed either side of us, though we could see enough to enjoy the spectacle.  No photos were allowed, though many visitors ignored this request.  After watching the penguins emerge from the water for about 20 minutes or so, we followed the boardwalk, peering into the dim light to spy penguins as they made their way to their burrows.  

The best spot was at the edge of the boardwalk as it approached the visitors centre. Here the penguins were very active and the light was good.  It was like watching a penguin highway as they made their way along. We were particularly excited to spot a penguin with leucism that according to the nearby ranger she had only seen a few times.  These rare penguins have a genetic mutation which causes a reduction in pigment in the feather leading to pale or white patches.  

We were amongst the last to return to the visitors centre and stopped for a while to watch a possum with baby emerge from a garbage bin.  

The taxi arrived quickly, with the same driver so he knew the way home, particularly as he had once lived in the same street.

Prev entry - Home - Next entry