The Nobbies

The Nobbies is a rocky headland at the western tip of Phillip Island, also referred to as Point Grant. You’re looking out over rugged cliffs and platforms, including Seal Rocks just offshore

Around 4 to 5 pm, the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting a golden glow across the cliffs and ocean, with shimmering reflections dancing on the water

The Nobbies are named after the large dome-shaped rock formations that rise dramatically from the ocean just off the coast. These rugged basalt outcrops were formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity and now stand as striking landmarks against the crashing waves. The surrounding area is equally stunning, with windswept cliffs, rolling green headlands, and seabirds circling above, all framed by the endless expanse of Bass Strait.

Pathway above the bay with great vistas.

As we walked along the wooden boardwalk, the view is breathtaking. The sun sinks lower on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the water, while the waves shimmer with light.

Hoa leaning against the wooden rail with the Nobbies’ rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops rising beautifully in the background.

The wooden pathway winds gracefully along the coastline, hugging the cliffs and offering sweeping views of the ocean.

Panoramic view.

Along the pathways at the Nobbies and Phillip Island, you’ll often see man-made burrows with wooden or plastic boxes partially buried in the ground with an entrance hole. These are artificial nesting sites created to help little penguins, giving them safe places to burrow, rest, and raise their chicks, especially where natural habitats have been lost or disturbed. They blend into the landscape and are part of the island’s strong conservation efforts

A Silver Gulls, which are wild and very common along Australia’s coastlines. They often gather around the penguin burrows at the Nobbies and Phillip Island because they’re opportunistic feeders, looking for scraps or easy meals. While they’re part of the natural coastal scene, they don’t live in the burrows themselves, those remain the territory of the little penguins.

The Nobbies boardwalk stretches for about 3/4 of mile (round trip), winding along the rugged cliff tops. It follows the coastline with several lookout points where you can stop to take in sweeping views of Bass Strait, Seal Rocks, and the blowhole. The walk isn’t very long or difficult, but it feels expansive because of the dramatic scenery and the way the path hugs the edge of the coast, giving you new perspectives with every turn.

We were very lucky to be here when the sun is setting in the horizon.

Magnificent view with a golden reflection on the water.

Panoramic view.

The panel about coastal food chains explains how life along the shoreline is connected. It highlights the role of tiny organisms like plankton and seaweed as the foundation, feeding small fish and invertebrates. These, in turn, sustain larger animals such as seals, seabirds, and penguins. It also emphasizes how the balance of this ecosystem is delicate, with each species playing a part in keeping the coastal environment healthy.

Ahead, the path opens to views of huge rugged rocks rising sharply above the sea, their dark, weathered surfaces shaped by centuries of crashing waves and salty winds.

Panoramic view.

Hoa watching the sunset.

This place is really beautiful, wild, and untouched.

That's all the time we have here and we are walking back to the parking lot.

We are now on top of the hill looking down at the Nobbies.

The Nobbies Visitor Center is a modern building with wide glass walls that let in sweeping views of the coastline and Seal Rocks. Inside, it has interactive displays about the region’s marine life, including penguins, seals, seabirds, and even whales that migrate past the coast. There’s also a section on the unique geology of the area and the fragile ecosystem that surrounds Phillip Island. Along with the educational exhibits, the center has a café with big windows where you can sit and look out over the ocean, making it both an informative stop and a scenic one.

We hopped on the bus and we are heading to the Penguin Parade. Along the way, the bus took us to a scenic road called "The Boulevard" located on the southern coast of Phillip island. We passed by green grasses and brush along the trail and we saw so many wallabies coming out as they are most active during dawn and dusk.

At this time of the day the kangaroos and wallabies are typically foraging for food which include grass, leaves, and flowers.

These two are Kangaroos as they are much bigger than the wallabies.

Two large kangaroos feasting peacefully on open field.

They are not fazed by all the buses that are passing through. They are looking directly at us without any fear.

A large flocks of silver gulls.

We also saw an Echidna. They are medium-sized, solitary mammals covered with coarse hair and spines. They resemble the anteaters of South America and other spiny mammals such as hedgehogs and porcupines. They are usually black or brown in coloration. They can be found in Australia and New Guinea. Their diet consists of ants and termites.

Echidnas evolved between 20 and 50 million years ago, descending from a platypus. This ancestor was aquatic, but echidnas adapted to life on land, where a single individual can move seven tons of soil each year, making them important for the environment.

The beach you see below is where we are going to watch the parade of the penguins.

NEXT... Penguin Parade