Phillip Island: Difference between revisions
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Phillip Island is steeped in the history of Australian motor racing. A circuit composed of the island's interior roads was used for the original [[Australian Grand Prix]] in [[1928 Australian Grand Prix|1928]] and continued to be used for the race up until [[1935 Australian Grand Prix|1935]]. In 1952 the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed. They commenced construction on the [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit]] which opened in 1956. In [[1960 Armstrong 500|1960]] the original [[Armstrong 500]] was held, although with the bridge to the mainland unable to support heavy hotmix bitumen equipment the track broke after the third running of the race in [[1962 Armstrong 500|1962]]. In [[1963 Armstrong 500|1963]] the race relocated to the [[Mount Panorama Circuit]] and over time evolved into the race known today as the [[Bathurst 1000]]. |
Phillip Island is steeped in the history of Australian motor racing. A circuit composed of the island's interior roads was used for the original [[Australian Grand Prix]] in [[1928 Australian Grand Prix|1928]] and continued to be used for the race up until [[1935 Australian Grand Prix|1935]]. In 1952 the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed. They commenced construction on the [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit]] which opened in 1956. In [[1960 Armstrong 500|1960]] the original [[Armstrong 500]] was held, although with the bridge to the mainland unable to support heavy hotmix bitumen equipment the track broke after the third running of the race in [[1962 Armstrong 500|1962]]. In [[1963 Armstrong 500|1963]] the race relocated to the [[Mount Panorama Circuit]] and over time evolved into the race known today as the [[Bathurst 1000]]. |
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The circuit closed in the late 1970s but was redeveloped and re-opened in 1989 to host the first international version of the [[Australian motorcycle Grand Prix |
The circuit closed in the late 1970s but was redeveloped and re-opened in 1989 to host the first international version of the [[Australian motorcycle Grand Prix]]. It continues to host the race today and is also a venue for the [[Superbike World Championship]], [[V8 Supercars]] and the [[Australian Drivers' Championship]]. |
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==Localities== |
==Localities== |
Revision as of 02:46, 6 May 2014
Phillip Island is an Australian island about 140 km (87 mi) south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. Named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port. It is 26 km (16 mi) long and 9 km (5.6 mi) wide, with an area of about 100 km2 (39 sq mi).[1] It has 97 km (60 mi) of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.
A 640 m (2,100 ft) concrete bridge (originally a wooden bridge) connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven.[1] In the 2011 census the island's permanent population was 9,406,[2] compared to 7,071 in 2001.[3] During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.
![Map of Phillip Island, Victoria](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Map_of_Phillip_Island%2C_Victoria.png/320px-Map_of_Phillip_Island%2C_Victoria.png)
History
The earliest inhabitants of the area were the Yalloc Bulluk clan of the Bunurong people, indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation.[4] In the Bunwurrung language the Island was known as 'Corriong' or 'Millowl'.[5] Their coastal territory, with sheltered bays, meant that the Yalloc Bulluk, along with other Bunurong clans, were amongst the first Aboriginal people in Victoria, to have contact with European mariners.[4][6]
Following reports of the 1798 exploration by George Bass and Matthew Flinders, the area was frequented by sealers from Van Dieman's Land whose interaction with the Bunurong people was not without conflict.[6] In 1801, navigator James Grant visited the adjoining Churchill Island (which he named) and planted a crop of corn and wheat.[7][8] In 1826, the scientific voyage of Dumont d'Urville, in command of the corvette Astrolabe, led to British concerns of an attempt by the French to establish a colony in Western Port.[9] This saw the dispatch from Sydney of H.M.S. Fly, under the command of Captain Wetherall, and the brigs Dragon and Amity, by Governor Darling.[10]
While the French colonisation did not eventuate, Wetherall reported on finding a sealer's camp and also two acres of wheat and corn.[11] A fort was constructed, named Dumaresq, after the Governor's private secretary, near Rhyll and the 'abundance' of wood, quality soil and the discovery of coal at Cape Woolamai, were mentioned in newspaper accounts.[11][12][13] Wetherall also erected a flag staff on 'the flat-top'd rock off Point Grant' (commonly known today as The Nobbies) on the Island's Western extremity as a marker for the harbour entrance.[12]
Of his encounters with the Bunurong people, Wetherall told Darling:
"The Natives appear numerous, but we have not been able to obtain an interview, as they desert their camp, and run into the woods on our approach, watching our movements until we depart. As I am aware it is Your Excellency's wish to conciliate them as much as possible, I have not allowed them to be pursued, or molested in any way."
The only reservation Wetherall had was on the Island's supply of water; he dug a 'tide-well' near the fort but assessed the source as 'not in sufficient quantities for the supply of shipping' and this problem would lead to the eventual move to Settlement Point on the mainland coast.[11][12] During the third voyage of HMS Beagle, in 1839, water was 'found by digging in the centre of a clump of bushes on the outer part of the point at the N.E. extremity of the island, which at high water became an island, [and] occasionally made the water brackish' although it was noted 'better might have been found a short distance in shore, as there were abundance of shrubs and other indications of water in the neighbourhood'.[14] The water question was again addressed, by Captain Moore, who accompanied Surveyor Robert Hoddle in 1840, that 'water can be obtained on Phillip Island, near the best anchorage, off Sandy Point.'[15]
In 1841, brothers John David and William McHaffie, were granted Phillip Island as a squatting run and took possession in 1842.[16] The McHaffie's, and later settlers, assisted the Victorian Acclimatisation society (forerunner of the committee which established the Melbourne Zoo) by introducing animals such as pheasants, deer and wallabies to Phillip Island.[17]
Plans for the first bridge to the Island, from San Remo to Newhaven commenced in 1938,[18] at a cost of £50,000, with the official opening by Premier Albert Dunstan taking place in November 1940.[19] A full public holiday was declared on the Island to celebrate.[19]
Environment
Wildlife
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/The_coast_of_Philip_Island.jpg/220px-The_coast_of_Philip_Island.jpg)
The southern and western coasts of the island lie within the Phillip Island Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance in supporting significant populations of Fairy Penguins, Short-tailed Shearwaters and Pacific Gulls.[20] In addition, there is a wildlife park where wallabies and kangaroos roam freely amongst the visitors and can be fed by hand. Seal Rocks, at the western end of the island, hosts the largest colony of fur seals in Australia (up to 16,000).[21]
Climate
Phillip Island experiences milder weather than Melbourne and is tempered by ocean breezes. The mean daily maximum temperature for February is 24.7°C (76.5°F), while for July it is 13.4°C (56.1°F). The mean annual rainfall is 782.3 millimetres (30.8 in), with June being the wettest month (88.1 mm/3.5 in). The prevailing wind for most of the year is a south-westerly which blows in off Bass Strait.
On 10 August 2005, snow was observed on the island.[22] This was a very unusual event.
Tourism
Phillip Island is a tourist destination visited by 3.5 million people annually.[1] The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park, in which Little Penguins come ashore in groups, attracts visitors from all over the world. They come to see one of the few areas where this species of penguin can be seen.
The island is recognised as having some of the most consistently reliable and varied surf conditions in the country. The island has hosted various surf events in the past, such as the Rip Curl Pro in 2005 and the Roxy Pro Women's Surfing Festival.
On New Year's Eve the island hosts the Pyramid Rock Festival. Other events include the Churchill Island Working Horse and Pioneer Festival.
Motorsport
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Phillip_island_grand_prix_circuit_pano.jpg/220px-Phillip_island_grand_prix_circuit_pano.jpg)
Phillip Island is steeped in the history of Australian motor racing. A circuit composed of the island's interior roads was used for the original Australian Grand Prix in 1928 and continued to be used for the race up until 1935. In 1952 the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed. They commenced construction on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit which opened in 1956. In 1960 the original Armstrong 500 was held, although with the bridge to the mainland unable to support heavy hotmix bitumen equipment the track broke after the third running of the race in 1962. In 1963 the race relocated to the Mount Panorama Circuit and over time evolved into the race known today as the Bathurst 1000.
The circuit closed in the late 1970s but was redeveloped and re-opened in 1989 to host the first international version of the Australian motorcycle Grand Prix. It continues to host the race today and is also a venue for the Superbike World Championship, V8 Supercars and the Australian Drivers' Championship.
Localities
Towns on and around the island include:
Notable residents
- Liam Hemsworth, Australian actor
- Chris Hemsworth, Australian actor
- Luke Hemsworth, Australian actor
See also
References
- ^ a b c Phillip Island The Age, Travel Section
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Phillip Island (Statistical Area Level)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
- ^ 2001 Population Statistics Bass Coast Shire Council Website
- ^ a b "Clan estates of the Bunurong". Cardinia Shire Council. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
- ^ "Indigenous History". Phillip Island Tourist Bureau Association. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
- ^ a b Gaughwin, Denise and Sullivan, Hilary. Aboriginal Boundaries and Movements in Western Port, Victoria [online]. Aboriginal History, Vol. 8, 1984: 80-98. Availability: <http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=055016885148495;res=IELIND> ISSN: 0314-8769. [cited 19 Sep 13].
- ^ History and Heritage on Phillip Island
- ^ Ida Lee (Mrs. Charles Bruce Marriot) (1915), The logbooks of the 'Lady Nelson,' with the journal of her first commander Lieutenant James Grant., London: Grafton, p. 48, OL 6580132M
- ^ The Exploration of Westernport, Western Port Seagrass Partnership 2008, http://www.seagrass.com.au/downloads/PDFs/Exploration_WP.pdf
- ^ "ATTEMPTED COLONISATION AT WESTERN PORT". Mornington Standard (Vic. : 1889 - 1908). Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 August 1905. p. 5 Edition: MORNING. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "ADVANCE AUSTRALIA SYDNEY GAZETTE, AND New South Wales Advertiser". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842). NSW: National Library of Australia. 10 January 1827. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "Classified Advertising". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842). NSW: National Library of Australia. 13 January 1827. p. 1. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "PROPOSED STEAMER BETWEEN VAN DIEMEN'S LAND AND PORT PHILLIP". The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 4 May 1838. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Ship News". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842). NSW: National Library of Australia. 16 March 1839. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "PORT PHILLIP". The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842). NSW: National Library of Australia. 27 January 1840. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Sydney Herald. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Obituary MR. DAVID MCHAFFIE". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 14 March 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT BOTANIST AND DIRECTOR OF THE BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 10 February 1860. p. 7. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "PHILLIP ISLAND BRIDGE". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 16 November 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ a b "NEW BRIDGE TO BE OPENED". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 29 November 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "IBA: Phillip Island". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ Inter Island Ferries About Phillip Island
- ^ Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Snow in Victoria
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Phillip Island Tourism Association site Accommodation and attractions on and around Phillip Island.
- Phillip Island Ferry Service
- Phillip Island Nature Park Web Site Includes Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center.