I was warm, my gloves were toasty, and my helmet was dry. Boy, was I glad I stayed in the hotel! This also meant I could make an early start. South to Phillip Island it was via Black Spur.
I actually had a bit of sunshine at the beginning, but that lasted about 10 secs, and the temperature dropped to about 10c for most of the day. Since I wasn’t that wet though (unlike yesterday) it was far more manageable.
Black Spur isn’t long – only around 30 km (officially) with the spectacular bit only about half of that (I think)… and spectacular it was. The road was pretty good with twisties and ascents/descents, and lined with these amazing tall/thin trees. Given the rain overnight, I engage namby-pamby mode and just rolled along – magic.
A pitstop was had at Pakenham with coffee & cake in the local bakery, then onwards. The ride down to the island was mostly dry (just the odd drizzle) but very windy.
The first stop on Phillip Island had to be the grand prix circuit of course. The track had been booked by some company and had a dozen or so guys flogging their own bikes around. Fun to look at, and noisy even for street bikes. I do want to attend the Moto-GP someday.
The ticket I bought also gave me entrance to a little museum… an Italian display was on:
Then, down to the Penguin Parade – a place where penguins routinely waddle up from the ocean into their nests every night. Obviously, there wasn’t anything going on at this time of day (arvo), but they have the usual information boards, etc. I was thinking of returning for the evening parade, but I just felt too cozy where I am. Anyway, I’m sure Ellie will want that on the list of things to do/see later.
Further down the road to the very western tip of the island is the Nobbies Centre with some nice boardwalks around the place… a good way to see the coastline and in particular the Nobbies and Seal Rocks:
I then just rode around the island a bit, found some accommodation, and settled in for the night. I’ll have another look in the morning before heading towards Melbourne. I’m not sure where I’ll stay tomorrow as I’m not due on the ferry until Thursday evening… perhaps in the Dandenongs somewhere.