Phillip Island makes for the perfect day trip from Melbourne.
There are a few ways to get to Phillip Island from Melbourne. The most popular ways to visit the island are via car, ferry, or a Phillip Island tour. You can take a bus or a train, but those options require quite a few transfers and a bit of time.
Driving to Phillip Island
The drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island takes around two hours. You’ll follow the Monash Freeway to the South Gippsland Highway. You will then see the signage to turn onto the Bass Highway, which will take you to Phillip Island Road. Once you’re on this road, you’ll cross the bridge over to Phillip Island.
This drive is full of plenty of scenic views and there are lots of fun stops to make along the way!
Taking the ferry to Phillip Island
Another way to get to Phillip Island is via ferry. If you choose this option, you can board the ferry at Stony Point Jetty. From here, the ride takes about 45 minutes to get to Phillip Island. This is a great option if you live near the harbour and want to experience a journey across the calm waters of Port Phillip.
If you choose a ferry ride, you can sit back and relax, taking in the gorgeous scenery. Be sure to bring a camera and snap some photos of the Victorian Coastline.
Join a Phillip Island tour
One of the best ways to visit Phillip Island is on a tour. This way you won’t have to worry about figuring out transportation and researching the top activities on the island. We’ll take care of that for you!
This Phillip Island penguin parade and wildlife experience is our most popular tour of the island. We pick you up from Melbourne and make the scenic journey towards Phillip Island. Before reaching the island, we visit Moonlit Sanctuary where you can meet heaps of native Aussie animals. This includes koalas, kangaroos, a variety of birds, and more. You can even get up close to the kangaroos and feed them.
After the sanctuary, we visit the famous landmark of the Nobbies. Here, you can take a stroll along the boardwalk and spend time taking in the coastal views. Be sure to keep an eye out for the tiny penguins that like to hang out under the boardwalk or in their little burrows on the hillside.
Then it’s time to head to the site of the Penguin Parade! You’ll have some time to walk around and choose your perfect seat before the main event begins. As the sun sets, you’ll slowly start to see the penguins popping out of the water and waddling across the beach. They follow the paths to their individual homes, reuniting with their families after a long day of fishing.
The epic day trip will conclude as we depart from Phillip Island and take you back to the Melbourne city centre. You will leave this tour with lots of colorful photos and unforgettable memories.
