How to get to Phillip Island from Melbourne

Phillip Island is a charming island to the south of Melbourne, but how do you get there?

Phillip Island is one of the number one tourist destinations in Victoria. It is home to an array of exceptional wildlife and stunning landscapes. One of the main draws to the island is the Little Penguins that parade across the beach every evening.

Read our guide to figure out the best way to get to the marvellous Phillip Island!

· Make your own way by car

Undoubtedly the easiest option when heading to Phillip Island is by driving. It takes roughly an hour and a half to get to the island. All you need to do is hop on the Monash Freeway and follow it to the South Gippsland Highway. You will then switch to the Bass Highway until you reach Phillip Island Road. From this road, you will reach the bridge that connects you from the mainland to the glorious Phillip Island.

This is quite a scenic journey, with the route heading parallel to the coastal ocean the majority of the way. Be sure to give you plenty of time to see Victoria’s magnificent landscapes along the way!

· Hop on a bus

If you don’t own a car to take on the journey, a bus might be a better option. The V/Line coach travels from the inner city’s Southern Cross Station all the way to Phillip Island. It takes a total of 2 hours to get to San Remo bridge, as the bus makes numerous stops along the way. The journey from Melbourne requires a change of bus at Koo Wee Rup to make it all the way to the island.

· Take a train

If trains are more your style, you can take one part of the way to Phillip Island. Catch a train from the city into the Dandenong region, which takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes, depending on which station you start from. Once you are here, you can either hop on a ferry or a bus to continue your journey to the island!

· Board a ferry

Whether you take a car, bus, or train, you can catch a ferry from the mainland to Phillip Island. The ferry will pick you up at Stony Point Jetty and take a 45-minute journey across the sea before arriving at the island. Choosing a ferry ride is a great option because of the picturesque scenery of the Victorian Coastline. The sea breeze may be brisk, but it is definitely worth it when taking in the incredible views!

· Take to the skies

Travel to Phillip Island in style with Phillip Island’s very own Helicopters! The scenic journey takes only 30 minutes from Melbourne. You can either begin at Essendon Airport or Moorabbin Airport!

· Join a tour

Take the hassle out of planning your journey by joining a Phillip Island tour!

There are many options to choose from, all of which include transportation. You are able to sit back and relax, taking in your surroundings as you have your own driver to take you to the island.

Our 1 Day Phillip Island Tour is an exceptional option for exploring the island and other nearby surroundings. The day begins as we pick you up in Melbourne and head to the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. You will be able to meet a range of native Aussie animals including koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, and much more!

After the wildlife sanctuary, we take a short stroll around Woolamai Beach. Then it’s on to the Nobbies, where you can view fascinating rock formations and see some seals on Seal Rocks. The main event of the tour begins as the sun begins to set. We will make our way to Summerland Beach and watch the sunset. Once it starts getting dark, the Little Penguins will begin to emerge from the ocean and parade across the beach before burrowing into the sand dunes for the evening!
Now that you know how to get to Phillip Island, get ready to plan an unforgettable adventure!

Related article: How far is it from Melbourne to Phillip Island?