Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a place of natural beauty, sandy beaches, tranquil wetlands and unique wildlife experiences. During the warmer months, the island offers great swimming opportunities with sheltered bay beaches on the northern side and wild surf beaches on the south coast.

To reach the bridge onto the island, you have to drive through the town of San Remo an important fishing port. Stop by to pick up fresh lobsters and attend the pelicans feeding at the pier, it’s very entertaining. 

The first town on the island is the small fishing village of Newhaven. The town boasts one of the best surf beaches in Victoria and a stunning walking trail along Cape Woolamai. Just 1km out of Newhaven, you can turn off onto the narrow bridge that leads to Churchill Island. Explore the historic town and enjoy the fragrance of its gardens.

On the south-east tip of the island is the quiet village of Rhyll. See lots of sleepy koalas in their trees from the elevated boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Centre and view birds as you walk through the famous wetlands at Rhyll Inlet.

For lunch you can stop by Cowes, the main commercial centre on Phillip Island. The town abounds with charming cafes and restaurants.

Off Point Grant, the extreme southwestern tip of the island, admire a group of rocks called the Nobbies rising from the sea. Beyond these are Seal Rocks, inhabited by Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. The rocks are crowded with an impressive number of seals during the breading seasons from October to December.

Phillip Island is a wonderful day out and you have to stay until twilight for the Penguin Parade - held every evening at Phillip Island Nature Park. Watch wild little penguins venturing back to their burrows, apparently oblivious of the presence of the visitors and thinking they are absolutely alone on the beach!

How to get there?
From Melbourne, take the Monash Freeway (M1) and the Phillip Island exit onto the South Gippsland Highway. The island is connected to San Remo on the mainland by bridge.
Trains run frequently between Melbourne and Stony Point.

Day tours to Phillip Island and the Penguin Parade operates daily from Melbourne city.

It is worthwhile taking a 90 min drive down south to watch the parade of the world’s smallest penguins. Those beautiful little creatures emerge every night at sunset from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows. The experience is truly memorable.

Every evening at Summerland Beach little penguin colony, the largest in Victoria, perform their ‘parade’, emerging from the sea and waddling resolutely up the beach to their nests – seemingly oblivious of the hordes of sightseers. The parade takes place like clockwork a few minutes after sunset each day. It’s best to book a ticket in advance.

• Penguin Parade: see below
• Pelican feeding at San Remo (on the mainland): at 11.30am daily
• Seal Rocks Life Centre: walk down to the viewing platforms at the Nobbies
• The Koala Conservation Centre: see koalas from an elevated boardwalks running through the bush setting
• Surf: excellent surf breaks from Cat Bay to Woolamai – several surf shops rent equipment
• Cape Woolamai: enjoy the walking tracks
• Pyramid Rock Lookout
• The Nobbies boardwalk
• Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit: motorcycle events held over three days in October
• History of Motor Sports Museum: Back Beach Road
• Scenic Helicopter flight from the Phillip Island airport
• A Maze’N Things
• Fun Shed: at Cowes for entertainment for young children
• Churchill Island: historic buildings and beautiful gardens