Phillip Island is a large island at the mouth of Western Port Bay, less than two hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria. Because of its proximity to the state capital, it's a popular weekend tourist destination, especially during the summer months. The island is separated from the mainland by just a channel and is connected by a bridge. It is part of the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland.
Cowes is the main town on the island, and in addition there are other smaller towns such as Rhyll, Cape Woolamai, Ventnor (closest town to the Penguin Parade) and Newhaven. The principal source of income is tourism, and there are many cafes, restaurants, etc., to cater to the appetites of the tourists.
The island is steeped in motorsport history. Australia's first ever international Grand Prix was held in 1924 on the original circuit comprising the still existing roads on Phillip Island. The annual Australian Grand Prix, an official round of the World MotoGP plus a round of the World Superbike (WBSK) is held at the 1950s purpose-built Motor Racing Circuit, and draws a massive contingent of motor sport fans (colloquially known as "petrolheads") every year.
- A Maze'N Things, 1805 Phillip Island Rd (Nearest bus stop in Sunset Strip, 30min walk, +61 3 5952 2283. 10AM-5PM daily. A number of indoor and outdoor family activities, including a hall of illusions, mini-golf, adventure ropes course and the famous maze, which takes an average of 45 minutes to complete. Popular with kids and young families. All activities entry: $33 adults, $23 children, $26.50 concessions, $99.50 families.
- Churchill Island, 246 Samuel Amess Drive (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 30min walk, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-5PM daily, 2PM-5PM Christmas Day. The 57-hectare island was originally inhabited by the indigenous Bunurong people, until European settlement in 1801. Lieutenant James Grant planted a number of crops, making it the first European agricultural site in Victoria. A number of the historical buildings still remain, including the original homestead. Today, the island is a fully-working heritage farm, with a number of activities for kids and families, including cow milking, sheep shearing and whip cracking between 2-3:30PM daily. Horse and cart rides also operate from 1PM during school and public holidays. The island is popular to walk around, taking about 1 and a half hours; during the walk, it's possible to see a variety of bird species and farm animals. A modern café and visitor centre also operate on the island. $12.25 adults, $6.15 children (4-15yrs), $8.55 concessions, $30.65 family (2A+2C).
- Koala Conservation Centre, 1810 Phillip Island Road (Nearest bus stop in Sunset Strip, 30min walk, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-5PM, with extended hours in Spring/Summer. Two tree-top boardwalks allow visitors to observe koalas up-close in their natural habitat in the gum trees. The centre also has a scenic stroll through Australian bushland, where there is the possibility of seeing wallabies, echidnas and other wildlife. A visitor centre and park rangers provide information on the koalas, their habitat and the conservation effort, while there is also a small gift shop and café. $12.25 adults, $6.15 children (4-15yrs), $8.55 concessions, $30.65 family (2A+2C).
- The Nobbies and Seal Rocks, 1320 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands (Free parking, although no public transport access; transfers available with Phillip Island Designated Driver, +613 5951 2800. 11AM-4PM (5PM in Autumn, 6PM in Spring, 8PM in Summer). An educational centre on the island's south-west tip, documenting its flora, fauna and natural rock formations. Visitors can stroll along the windswept boardwalk and potentially see penguins and the gull rookeries for free. Seal Rocks are home to Australia's largest fur seal colony, but at 1.5 km off the coast, can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Instead, there are pay-to-use binoculars or boat tours can be arranged in Cowes. If nothing else, there are spectacular views of coastal scenery. Free.
- Penguin Parade, 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands (Free parking, although no public transport access; transfers available with Phillip Island Designated Driver, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-sunset. The island's most popular attraction, the Penguin Parade allows visitors to see dozens of little fairy penguins waddle up from the sea to their nests at sunset. Penguin arrival times vary throughout the year, from about 5:15PM in June to 8:45PM in January; estimated time can be checked on the website. Viewing areas are outdoors, unprotected from rain and wind, and photographs are not allowed after dark. Try and arrive early before the tour buses to get a good seat! There are a variety of more expensive ticket options which offer seats with a better view, enclosed viewing, small group up-close encounters on a private beach, accompaniment by a park ranger, among others. You can also walk around the visitor centre and boardwalks during the day before the parade begins. $24.50 adults, $12.25 children (4-15), $17.15 pensioners, $61.25 families (2A+2C).
- Rhyll. A small, pretty, peaceful fishing village at the north-eastern tip of Phillip Island. To the west of Rhyll is the Rhyll Inlet and Conservation Hill Reserve. This network of waterways and wetlands is a significant feeding and breeding area for resident and migratory birds. A pathway which features several sections of boardwalk extends along the coast from Rhyll's town centre and along the southern side of the inlet, then heads inland to the Rhyll Wetlands.
- National Vietnam Veterans Museum, 25 Veterans Drive, Cape Woolamai (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 20min walk, +61 3 5956 6400. 10AM-5PM daily. Dedicated to exhibiting and preserving memorabilia from Australia’s longest war. Completely run by volunteers, it houses over 5000 items throughout the fairly basic shed complex, including a full-sized tank, helicopter, howitzer plane and other vehicles at the back. An engaging light and sound video tells the story of the Vietnam War, with some of the displays being interactive. A small café and gift shop are also located on-site. $15 adults, $10 children (5-15), $12 concessions, $40 families (2A+3C).
A Maze'N Things, 1805 Phillip Island Rd (Nearest bus stop in Sunset Strip, 30min walk, +61 3 5952 2283. 10AM-5PM daily. A number of indoor and outdoor family activities, including a hall of illusions, mini-golf, adventure ropes course and the famous maze, which takes an average of 45 minutes to complete. Popular with kids and young families. All activities entry: $33 adults, $23 children, $26.50 concessions, $99.50 families.
Churchill Island, 246 Samuel Amess Drive (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 30min walk, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-5PM daily, 2PM-5PM Christmas Day. The 57-hectare island was originally inhabited by the indigenous Bunurong people, until European settlement in 1801. Lieutenant James Grant planted a number of crops, making it the first European agricultural site in Victoria. A number of the historical buildings still remain, including the original homestead. Today, the island is a fully-working heritage farm, with a number of activities for kids and families, including cow milking, sheep shearing and whip cracking between 2-3:30PM daily. Horse and cart rides also operate from 1PM during school and public holidays. The island is popular to walk around, taking about 1 and a half hours; during the walk, it's possible to see a variety of bird species and farm animals. A modern café and visitor centre also operate on the island. $12.25 adults, $6.15 children (4-15yrs), $8.55 concessions, $30.65 family (2A+2C).
Koala Conservation Centre, 1810 Phillip Island Road (Nearest bus stop in Sunset Strip, 30min walk, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-5PM, with extended hours in Spring/Summer. Two tree-top boardwalks allow visitors to observe koalas up-close in their natural habitat in the gum trees. The centre also has a scenic stroll through Australian bushland, where there is the possibility of seeing wallabies, echidnas and other wildlife. A visitor centre and park rangers provide information on the koalas, their habitat and the conservation effort, while there is also a small gift shop and café. $12.25 adults, $6.15 children (4-15yrs), $8.55 concessions, $30.65 family (2A+2C).
The Nobbies and Seal Rocks, 1320 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands (Free parking, although no public transport access; transfers available with Phillip Island Designated Driver, +613 5951 2800. 11AM-4PM (5PM in Autumn, 6PM in Spring, 8PM in Summer). An educational centre on the island's south-west tip, documenting its flora, fauna and natural rock formations. Visitors can stroll along the windswept boardwalk and potentially see penguins and the gull rookeries for free. Seal Rocks are home to Australia's largest fur seal colony, but at 1.5 km off the coast, can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Instead, there are pay-to-use binoculars or boat tours can be arranged in Cowes. If nothing else, there are spectacular views of coastal scenery. Free.
Penguin Parade, 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands (Free parking, although no public transport access; transfers available with Phillip Island Designated Driver, +613 5951 2800. 10AM-sunset. The island's most popular attraction, the Penguin Parade allows visitors to see dozens of little fairy penguins waddle up from the sea to their nests at sunset. Penguin arrival times vary throughout the year, from about 5:15PM in June to 8:45PM in January; estimated time can be checked on the website. Viewing areas are outdoors, unprotected from rain and wind, and photographs are not allowed after dark. Try and arrive early before the tour buses to get a good seat! There are a variety of more expensive ticket options which offer seats with a better view, enclosed viewing, small group up-close encounters on a private beach, accompaniment by a park ranger, among others. You can also walk around the visitor centre and boardwalks during the day before the parade begins. $24.50 adults, $12.25 children (4-15), $17.15 pensioners, $61.25 families (2A+2C).
Rhyll. A small, pretty, peaceful fishing village at the north-eastern tip of Phillip Island. To the west of Rhyll is the Rhyll Inlet and Conservation Hill Reserve. This network of waterways and wetlands is a significant feeding and breeding area for resident and migratory birds. A pathway which features several sections of boardwalk extends along the coast from Rhyll's town centre and along the southern side of the inlet, then heads inland to the Rhyll Wetlands.
National Vietnam Veterans Museum, 25 Veterans Drive, Cape Woolamai (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 20min walk, +61 3 5956 6400. 10AM-5PM daily. Dedicated to exhibiting and preserving memorabilia from Australia’s longest war. Completely run by volunteers, it houses over 5000 items throughout the fairly basic shed complex, including a full-sized tank, helicopter, howitzer plane and other vehicles at the back. An engaging light and sound video tells the story of the Vietnam War, with some of the displays being interactive. A small café and gift shop are also located on-site. $15 adults, $10 children (5-15), $12 concessions, $40 families (2A+3C).
- Phillip Island Helicopters, Phillip Island Airport, Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Cape Woolamai (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 20min walk, +61 3 5956 7316. 9AM-5PM. Offers 7 different tours of the island and surrounding region, from up in the sky! Requires a minimum of 2 passengers and photography is permitted at all times. The airport can also arrange transfers from local accommodation or Melbourne, and can create custom flights on request. From $80pp for 8 minute flight, to $395pp for 42 minutes.
- Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, 930 Phillip Island Rd Newhaven, +61 3 5956 6600. 9AM-5PM. A chocolate factory with a difference. Consists of a large retail store and cafe (free entry to both) and a paid tour of Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate. This consists of 6 rooms of interactive displays, games and exhibits all dedicated to chocolate. It includes the world's largest chocolate waterfall, robots that dispense chocolates and a squirl machine that creates chocolate patterns on a conveyor belt which can be eaten after they set. Every visitor gets a free chocolate on entry
- Phillip Island Nature Parks EcoBoat Tour, 11/13 The Esplanade, Cowes (Short walk from the Cowes bus stop, +613 5951 2800. The not-for-profit nature parks organisation operates two boat tours to the Seal Rocks area from Cowes Jetty (and sometimes Rhyll Jetty, depending on operational requirements). The EcoBoat Express takes one hour, visiting Seal Rocks, the Nobbies and the surfing hotspot, Cat Bay; the tour operates daily year-round, with 2-3 departures in the busier Summer months. The EcoBoat Adventure runs for an hour and a half, visiting Seal Rocks, the Nobbies, Cat Bay, the Blowhole and a viewing of the Summerland Peninsula cliffs; it operates only in busier months at 3PM daily. Free Wi-Fi is available on-board. Participants must be at least 4 years old and 100cm tall. Express: $85 adults/pensioners, $65 children (4-15), $235 families (2A+2C); Adventure: $110 adults, $65 children (4-15), $87 pensioners, $285 families (2A+2C).
- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Back Beach Rd, +61 3 5952 9400.
- Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm, 30 Rhyll-Newhaven Road, Rhyll (Free parking, although no public transport, +61 3 5956 9255. 10AM-5PM daily. An engaging trout farm just out of Rhyll which offers two pools of varying difficulty where fish can be caught. Caught fish can then be cooked on site at complimentary BBQs or by a chef at the café where it can be eaten for lunch. Fishing lessons included in admission, although rod hire, keeping the fish and fish cleaning, marinating and cooking cost extra. A bush tucker trail also allows visitors to learn more about edible, native Australian plants used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. $9.90 adults, $7.50 children (4-15), $8.50 concessions, $36 families (2A+2C+2 rods). Rod hire for $4, $19/kg to keep fish.
- Purple Hen Wines, 96 McFees Road, Rhyll (Heading towards Rhyll from Newhaven, turn right at McFees Rd, follow for 1km and on the right; no public transport access, +61 3 5956 9244. 11AM-5:30PM daily (Jan-Apr), closed Tue & Wed (Mar-Dec). Phillip Island's most popular winery is set in a beautiful landscape overlooking the Rhyll foreshore. Wine tasting available for $5, which is refunded on purchasing a bottle. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or glass, and snack food is also available. Occasionally holds live music days for the public.
- Cape Woolamai. There are several loops of walking tracks of various lengths. Doing all the walks might take up to 3 hours. Most of the cape is a huge mutton-bird or shearwater colony and the birds’ burrows are everywhere. There are few trees in much of the area but there is a section of regenerating bush. The first part of the walks is along the beach, starting near the lifesaving club.
- Beaches. There are a large number of beaches (both sheltered beaches on the inland side and surf beaches on the ocean side of the island)
- Scuba Diving. Phillip Island is home to some of the most spectacular scuba diving destinations in Victoria.
Cape Woolamai. There are several loops of walking tracks of various lengths. Doing all the walks might take up to 3 hours. Most of the cape is a huge mutton-bird or shearwater colony and the birds’ burrows are everywhere. There are few trees in much of the area but there is a section of regenerating bush. The first part of the walks is along the beach, starting near the lifesaving club.
Beaches. There are a large number of beaches (both sheltered beaches on the inland side and surf beaches on the ocean side of the island)
Scuba Diving. Phillip Island is home to some of the most spectacular [[scuba diving]] destinations in Victoria.
Phillip Island Helicopters, Phillip Island Airport, Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Cape Woolamai (Nearest bus stop in Cape Woolamai, 20min walk, +61 3 5956 7316. 9AM-5PM. Offers 7 different tours of the island and surrounding region, from up in the sky! Requires a minimum of 2 passengers and photography is permitted at all times. The airport can also arrange transfers from local accommodation or Melbourne, and can create custom flights on request. From $80pp for 8 minute flight, to $395pp for 42 minutes.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, 930 Phillip Island Rd Newhaven, +61 3 5956 6600. 9AM-5PM. A chocolate factory with a difference. Consists of a large retail store and cafe (free entry to both) and a paid tour of Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate. This consists of 6 rooms of interactive displays, games and exhibits all dedicated to chocolate. It includes the world's largest chocolate waterfall, robots that dispense chocolates and a squirl machine that creates chocolate patterns on a conveyor belt which can be eaten after they set. Every visitor gets a free chocolate on entry
Phillip Island Nature Parks EcoBoat Tour, 11/13 The Esplanade, Cowes (Short walk from the Cowes bus stop, +613 5951 2800. The not-for-profit nature parks organisation operates two boat tours to the Seal Rocks area from Cowes Jetty (and sometimes Rhyll Jetty, depending on operational requirements). The EcoBoat Express takes one hour, visiting Seal Rocks, the Nobbies and the surfing hotspot, Cat Bay; the tour operates daily year-round, with 2-3 departures in the busier Summer months. The EcoBoat Adventure runs for an hour and a half, visiting Seal Rocks, the Nobbies, Cat Bay, the Blowhole and a viewing of the Summerland Peninsula cliffs; it operates only in busier months at 3PM daily. Free Wi-Fi is available on-board. Participants must be at least 4 years old and 100cm tall. Express: $85 adults/pensioners, $65 children (4-15), $235 families (2A+2C); Adventure: $110 adults, $65 children (4-15), $87 pensioners, $285 families (2A+2C).
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Back Beach Rd, +61 3 5952 9400.
Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm, 30 Rhyll-Newhaven Road, Rhyll (Free parking, although no public transport, +61 3 5956 9255. 10AM-5PM daily. An engaging trout farm just out of Rhyll which offers two pools of varying difficulty where fish can be caught. Caught fish can then be cooked on site at complimentary BBQs or by a chef at the café where it can be eaten for lunch. Fishing lessons included in admission, although rod hire, keeping the fish and fish cleaning, marinating and cooking cost extra. A bush tucker trail also allows visitors to learn more about edible, native Australian plants used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. $9.90 adults, $7.50 children (4-15), $8.50 concessions, $36 families (2A+2C+2 rods). Rod hire for $4, $19/kg to keep fish.
Purple Hen Wines, 96 McFees Road, Rhyll (Heading towards Rhyll from Newhaven, turn right at McFees Rd, follow for 1km and on the right; no public transport access, +61 3 5956 9244. 11AM-5:30PM daily (Jan-Apr), closed Tue & Wed (Mar-Dec). Phillip Island's most popular winery is set in a beautiful landscape overlooking the Rhyll foreshore. Wine tasting available for $5, which is refunded on purchasing a bottle. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or glass, and snack food is also available. Occasionally holds live music days for the public.
- Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant and Bar, 1821 Phillip Island Rd, +61 3 5952 1666. Modern European food and handcraft beers. Try the ales.
Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant and Bar, 1821 Phillip Island Rd, +61 3 5952 1666. Modern European food and handcraft beers. Try the ales.
- French Island - Take the ferry to French Island.