Phillip Island is one of Victoria’s most popular and exciting day trips.

Phillip Island is a perfect day trip or a weekend getaway to experience wildlife, eateries, and beaches. It’s also not too far away from Melbourne. To discover Phillip Island at its best, we recommend visiting in the summer, between November to March. Below you find 10 reasons why you really should visit the popular island.

  1. Penguin Parade

    Phillip Island is home to the famous Penguin Parade. Here you can spot one of the largest fairy penguin colonies! Every night at sunset, you can expect hundreds of little penguins to waddle up the beach to settle in their burrows for the night. How cute!

  2. Koala Conservation Centre

    The Koala Conservation Centre is one of the best places to see koalas on Phillip Island. You can walk along the tree top boardwalks and get up close to the koalas in their natural habitat. There are two 20 minute loop walks you can do to spot koalas and other wildlife like wallabies, native birds, and echidnas.

  3. Surfing

    Phillip Island is one of the best surfing spots in Victoria. Locals venture out to beaches like Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach to get a quick morning surf in. Smiths Beach is more for the beginning surfer. If you rather chill out and watch the surfers surf, there is plenty of space for that too.

  4. Food

    Phillip Island has a variety of delicious restaurants and cafes. You can expect to find international cuisines, traditional pubs, or bars with a selection of drinks. Some places have ocean views so you can enjoy your dinner at sunset. Now that’s the spirit!

  5. The Grand Prix Circuit

    If you’re into motorcycle sports, you’ll might already know the Grand Prix Circuit at Phillip Island. The track holds the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and Superbike World Championship. The first Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1989 was at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

  6. The Nobbies

    The Nobbies is an exciting area with several attractions. There are the Seal Rocks to spot fur seals, boardwalks to see the coastal views, and the Nobbies Centre. The Nobbies Centre is an educational and interactive centre about the wildlife of Phillip Island.

  7. Wineries

    Did you know that Phillip Island has award winning and family owned wineries? Well, you do now! Phillip Island Winery and Purple Hen Winery are two fantastic wineries and both give you great experiences as you try some wines and graze over a platter.

  8. San Remo

    San Remo is the town on Australia’s mainland that connects Phillip Island via the bridge. San Remo was originally formed as a fishing town. Find a nice spot to eat an drink and watch the fishermen and women get their fresh seafood off board.

  9. Cowes

    Cowes is the main and central town on Phillip Island. Cowes is home to delicious restaurants, parks, and seaside views. The town is also great to stay in for a few days while on Phillip Island. What do you think of an apartment or B&B with a view over the ocean? Sound good, right!

  10. Whale watching

    Between May and October, you’ll have the chance to spot humpbacks, orcas, and southern right whales. This is when the whales start heading north for migration and calving. The best places to see the whales on Phillip Island are the Nobbies, Cape Woolamai, Surf Beach, Summerlands, and Pyramid Rock.

The best way to explore Phillip Island is on a this fun one day tour, or you can spend a couple of days in the area. When you stay for a few days, you can do and see more of the island. Enjoy!

Explore Our Phillip Island Tours

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