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Penguin Island, Western Australia

Violet
Jul 5, 2016
3 min read

Could you believe that Penguin Island does exist in this world? I couldn't until I saw it. The reason I knew that place was exist is because of the visitor center. I visited there because I wanted to know, if I had missed any places around Perth. As I about to left the place, I saw Penguin Island brochure. It took me 2 days to decide whether to go or not and another 2 days to choose what kind of package I gonna choose. I end up with penguin and sea lion cruise package because I will see sea lions and penguin feeding on this package. To get more information about each of the packages, click here!

Since I was at Rockingham at that time hence I didn't drive that long. I bought the ticket then went straight ahead to the ferry to the island. When I arrived, I transferred to glass bottom boat to see sea lions and sea birds! Luckily, on the way to Seal Island, the wild dolphins leapt from the water! Everyone on the boat including me were super excited about it. The tour guide told us, "the dolphins you have seen, they are 100% wild". Very fascinating fact! I remembered, when those dolphins leapt from the water, the entire tourists in the boat were like "OH!" or "AH!" without any prepped.

After we spent enough time with the dolphins, the boat headed to Seal Island. FYI, we didn't allow to walk on the island, just stay in the boat only, however, it's still great! When the boat get really close to the island, we saw two Australian sea lions lay down on the beach, pretty much like they were sun bathing. The tour guide said "It is mating season so all the female were hiding and left the male alone", which mean two of those sea lions are male. Male sea lions at adulthood can weight up to 300 kg but female sea lions are smaller, about 65-110 kg. Sadly, Australian sea lions are one of the most endangered of the pinniped species. Populations are highly susceptible to disturbance by humans, particularly during the breeding season. Alright enough for sadness. When we were done with the sea lions, the skipper took us to Penguin Island. Along the way, we saw many sea birds such as Silver Gulls, Australian Pelicans, Ospreys etc. Not just that, we saw a rock that looks like camel so much. Do you think the same thing?

Penguin Island is the only place you are allow to walk on the island, however, you have to stick to the walking path. Do not walk out of the path. I observed some part of the island. Have to say it was quite horrifying due to the gulls. Basically, the gulls were about to attack me because they protected their babies. It was nesting season at that time. I kept on walking to the southern part of the island then I discovered the lookout area. The view up there was very nice-looking. You can see everything up there. As time passed by, it was time to see penguin feeding at Discovery Centre. Woah!! Little Penguins are so tiny but over load of cuteness! they jumped and swam in the pond. Sometime they poop and you can tell because it came up :P When the staff started to feed penguins, I realized how much penguins love fish lol. The penguins are super fast when it's about food. If you can't think what it's look like? Try to think of Black Friday at Walmart, just less crowded.

When the penguins were full , I walked to McKenzie's Cave. Go back to 1900s the caves were the only place for visitors to stay. At first, the island was probably used by Aboriginal people, as suggested in the Dreaming stories that relate to the area, though no evidence of their presence found. The cave named after Seaforth McKenzie, who is the first-known occupant of Penguin Island. I walked back to picnic area to wait for ferry. I found out that we allow to swim, surf, snorkel etc. I didn't know that so next time I will bring all the water equipment I have to the island. When ferry arrived, I did not hesitate to got in because i was freezing! Yeah I should have bring my jacket with me.

I were exhausted when I arrived home. Overall it was an amazing trip. I enjoy my visit there. I saw so many animal that I didn't expected. It is very privilege to see those beautiful islands at Western Australia.