Top Family Touring Itineraries: Bass Coast

It’s rarely broadcasted, but if you’re visiting friends in Victoria’s south-east there’s camping at Akoonah Park, 30 clicks east of the fabulous wildlife nature park, Gumbuya Park. Littlies will love petting the baby animals, feeding the roos or close encounters with snakes, dingoes or crows, while the older kids can challenge each other on the twin toboggan rides or kick a ball on the vast communal lawns.

Next, venture southwards and bunker down at Cowes in Phillip Island for two nights. There’s enough here to entertain the kids for a week but if your stay’s short, milk a cow or crack a whip on Churchill Island Heritage Farm. The older ones can conquer the rope course at SkyTrail and spot penguins nesting at the Nobbies before watching the procession after dark. Then, it’s on to the Bass Coast, where you can stop at Inverloch and inspect rock pools when the tide goes out for miles and then venture east to Bear Gully camp in Cape Liptrap.

THE ITINERARY

Day 1: Gumbuya Park to Phillip Island

• Cosy up to a dingo at Gumbuya Park
• Enjoy snags and kick a ball with the crew on the vast lawns
• Bushwalk the fabulous Glen Forbes before hitting the island

Day 2: Cape Woolamai to Churchill Heritage Island

• Enjoy the calm and safe waters of Cape Woolamai Safety Beach
• Entertain the kids with an afternoon at the Churchill Heritage Island or challenge the older ones on the SkyTrail course

Day 3: Penguin Spotting at the Nobbies

• Take a leisurely morning stroll on Cowes Beach
• Stretch the legs on the Nobbies boardwalk but don’t forget your jacket!
• Finish the day with the Penguins parade

Day 4: Inverloch to Cape Liptrap

• Shell collecting at low tide
• Dine out at Inverloch pub before setting off for seclusion

PITSTOPS

• Legendary milkshakes at Caldermeade Farm
• Caramelised banana bread or Devonshire tea at Churchill Heritage Island
• Amazing ice-cream from Gusto Gelateria and Pastry, Inverloch

KIDS WILL LOVE

• Racing each other on twin toboggan tracks at Gumbuya Park
• Milking a cow or cracking a whip at Churchill Heritage Island
• Catching their first wave at one of many surf schools on the Bass Coast
• Seeing penguins nestled in their burrows at the magnificent Nobbies
• Digging for crabs and exploring rocks at Cowes main beach at low tide
• Collecting shells and splashing in the shallows at Andersons Inlet, Inverloch

WHERE TO CAMP

Akoonah Park, Vic

• Basic camping amenities close to friends and family in Victoria’s south-east suburbs

Beach Park Tourist Caravan Park, Cowes

• Shady sites with direct access to kid-friendly beaches

Inverloch Foreshore Camping Reserve, Inverloch

• Beautiful traditional campground close to town with native landscaping

Bear Gully campground Cape Liptrap

• Then get away from it all at this private beach oasis