Listed as one of Victoria’s top tourist destinations, Phillip Island has something for everyone.

Famous for its wildlife, motorsport, food, and more, the region attracts a diverse mix of visitors. Here, travellers can embrace the seaside lifestyle, enjoy sandy beaches, unique wildlife, and unforgettable attractions.

The Essential Facts

• Location: Phillip Island is located just off Australia’s southern coast, about a two-hour drive from Melbourne.
• Landscape: A natural paradise featuring outstanding coastal scenery and thick bushland.
• Popular Attractions: The most popular tourist attraction is the Penguin Parade, home to the smallest penguins in the world, the Little penguins.
• History: The first farm in Victoria was created here, pioneering the country’s nineteenth-century farming techniques.
• Surfing: Declared Victoria’s first National Surfing Reserve, Phillip Island offers endless coastal hotspots.
• Accessibility: A perfect day trip from Melbourne, suitable for a one-day trip or weekend experience.

The History of Phillip Island

• The Indigenous People of Phillip Island

  The first people to inhabit Phillip Island were the traditional owners of the land, the Aboriginal Bunurong tribe. They used Phillip Island as a hunting ground during the muttonbird season.

• Phillip Island’s European Discovery

  The first European to discover the island was George Bass in 1798. He named the area Western Port as he first saw the island from the west while travelling from Port Jackson. The island was later named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales.

• Settlement and Development

  In 1868, Europeans established a settlement on the island, initially using it for sheep herding and seal hunting. Early settlers faced numerous hardships, including drought and failing crops. However, some persevered, eventually planting Chicory, which flourished and became a symbol of Phillip Island’s potential.

• Phillip Island and It’s Unique Landscape

  Every nook and cranny of Phillip Island boasts stunning agricultural landscapes. Farms are scattered around the edges, and bushland covers the rest. However, the seaside section of Phillip Island is the biggest draw, renowned for its reliable surf conditions and milder climate compared to Melbourne.

Things to See & Do in Phillip Island

• Woolamai Surf Beach

  

  Woolamai Beach is famed for its big waves and ripper currents, boasting a backdrop of mesmerising ocean views and abundant wildlife. The beach is patrolled, making it a safe wonderland for families and those new to Victoria’s tides. There is plenty of action to keep you entertained, with swimming and surfing being the top activities on offer.

  If you aren’t much of a swimmer, strolling down the soft sands will let you soak up the coastal beauty just as well. The nearby Cape Woolamai lookout also offers epic views and a delightful sea breeze, if you feel like going for a trek to the tallest point of Phillip Island.

• Cowes Main Beach

  

  Undoubtedly the most popular beach on Phillip Island, Cowes Main Beach features calm waters and silky sand. It is the biggest north-facing beach in the state of Victoria, giving both locals and travellers plenty of space to spread out. The beach is conveniently located, just a short walk from the town’s popular food and drinks spots.

• Cowes

  

  As Phillip Island’s central hub, Cowes has a lively seaside holiday vibe. It offers picnic spots, beach attractions, accommodation, and a variety of cafés and restaurants. The town is also home to unique vintage shops, surf shops, and memorabilia stores.

• The Nobbies

  

  The Nobbies is a wildlife and knowledge wonderland along Phillip Island’s coast. The area features a number of attractions, including coastal rocks home to the resident Australian fur seals, seaside boardwalks, and the Nobbies Visitor Centre.

• Nobbies Centre

  

  The Nobbies Centre offers spectacular views and fascinating information about the island’s history and wildlife. Enjoy the informational exhibitions, technological displays, and interactive demonstrations. Boasting floor to ceiling windows, visitors can admire the stretching landscape, made up of the region’s lush greenery and surrounding waters.

• San Remo

  

  Located at Phillip Island’s gateway bridge, San Remo is a lively seaside town known for its fishing and dining options. Home to Australia’s largest shark fishing fleet, the town’s main attraction is its marina. Visitors can enjoy seafood cuisine, cast a line, or visit the local penguin colony.

• Seal Rocks

  

  Two kilometres offshore from the Nobbies, Seal Rocks is home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. Visitors can observe these amazing creatures from the lookout as they bask and play on the rocks.

• Penguin Parade

  

  One of Victoria’s major tourist draws, the Penguin Parade showcases the island’s little penguins. After sunset, the local colony of penguins venture back to their nesting ground, which lies right on Phillip Island’s Summerland Beach region.

  The little penguins are the smallest species of penguin in the world, with Phillip Island being one of the only places you can see these creatures in the wild. The colony spends the majority of its day swimming in Victoria’s deep waters, hunting for fish and other small creatures. Seeing these incredibly cute penguins shuffle their way up the beach to their burrows is a must-do for visitors to Phillip Island. The Penguin Parade Centre is also home to a restaurant, a sovereign shop, and an information section!

• Koala Conservation Centre

  

  Stroll along tree-top boardwalks and see koalas in their natural habitat! The Koala Conservation Centre offers over six hectares of bushland home to koalas, wallabies, echidnas and various bird species. Don’t leave before heading to the informational centre, which has everything you would ever know about Australia’s most loved tree-huggers.

• Churchill Island

  

  Visit the 50-hectare island in Phillip Island’s Western Port and step back in time. Churchill Island is a historic and stunning region, home to quaint cottages, manicured gardens, and local farm animals. Visitors can participate in a range of fun activities such as sheep shearing and cow milking.

• Maru Wildlife Park

  

  If you are still aren’t sick of Victoria’s greatest animals, then Maru Wildlife Park is for you! The family-owned park is a great place to get up close and personal with Australia’s most beloved animals. Get involved in the range of daily activities on offer and the presentations with the animals. After seeing all the animals, you can even unwind at the park’s Mini-Golf Adventure course!

• The Grand Prix Circuit

  

  Wildlife isn’t the only attraction on Phillip Island. The Moto Grand Prix Circuit, established in 1956, draws motorheads year-round. Although it no longer holds its top racing venue status, it still hosts major events like the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Superbike World Championship, and the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship.

  Visitors can explore the circuit’s informational centre, which showcases historic artefacts and records. For a more hands-on experience, activities like go-karting, hot laps, and guided circuit tours are available. Whether you’re a racing enthusiast or not, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a must-visit.

• The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory

  

  Chocolate lovers won’t want to miss the Chocolate Factory, which celebrates all things chocolate. Visitors can participate in workshops, interactive exhibits, and create-your-own chocolate activities. The factory shop offers a variety of chocolates and a cafe for hot chocolate.

  Phillip Island truly offers a diverse range of attractions and activities, making it a must-visit destination for all types of travellers.