For close encounters of the bird (and animal) kind, Phillip Island is hard to beat.

Experience the twilight parade of the fairy penguins, observe the fur seals, shearwaters, koalas and other unique Australian fauna.

Phillip Island is close enough to Melboune for a daytrip by road. Return in the evening.

An interesting sidelight to the subject of fairy penguins is the attempt to rename them "little penguins" in the charged atmosphere of political correctness where "fairy" could connote something else. I think the term "fairy penguins" is miles more evocative of these land/sea creatures than the bland, bland, bland "little penguins."

When in Melbourne another daytrip to consider is heading west to the scenic, coastal Great Ocean Road and visiting the Twelve Apostles.

• Amazing Australia Pictures
• Animals and Birds

Photo: Fairy penguins on Phillip Island © Tourism Victoria