Phillip Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Phillip Island showing surfing as well as a small group of people
Enjoy a getaway at this southern Victorian island, known for its great surf breaks, sheltered bays, international motorsports events and adorable penguins.

Phillip Island is an exciting seaside destination at the mouth of Western Port Bay in southern Victoria. Share long stretches of sandy beaches with tiny penguins and other wildlife, surf on the Bass Strait breaks, visit leafy conservation areas and wetlands and get your motor running at Australia’s original Grand Prix circuit.

Explore Phillip Island’s diverse mix of rugged southern coastline and sheltered Western Port Bay beaches. Hit the surf or swim in the shallows at Woolamai Beach, a lifeguard-patrolled beach on the island’s south coast. Learn to surf on the safe breaks at Smiths Beach. Head north to enjoy Ventnor Beach, Anchorage Beach and Red Rock Beach, with beautiful Mornington Peninsula views. Visit family-friendly Cowes Beach for a shallow high tide, jetty facilities and lifeguard patrol.

Summerland Beach is a popular destination for surfers, swimmers and penguins alike. Visit at sunset to see the Penguin Parade, a special viewing of the little penguins waddling up from the shore to their nests. See the penguins for free from the boardwalks at The Nobbies and Seal Rocks nearby.

Don’t miss Phillip Island Wildlife Park to see free-roaming kangaroos in an idyllic natural setting. Cape Woolamai State Faunal Reserve is a scenic peninsula park with beautiful native vegetation. Spot koalas lounging in tall eucalypts, from the treetop boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Centre. Nearby Churchill Island has a heritage farmstead, lush wetlands and an ancient Bunurong Aboriginal cultural site.

Visit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit during one of the international car and motorbike racing championships to see some of the world’s fastest drivers in action. Take a guided circuit tour, visit the History of Motorsport Display or do a few laps of the mini circuit in a go-kart.

Phillip Island is 138.8 kilometres (86.2 miles) from Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. A bridge connects the island to mainland Victoria. Reach the island by car or bus from nearby major cities. Ferries connect Phillip Island to Stony Point and French Island.

North Pier Hotel
North Pier Hotel
3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$86 per night from 18 Jun to 19 Jun
AU$86
per night
18 Jun - 19 Jun
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Friendly staff & c ll ean facility"

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2024

North Pier Hotel
Kaloha Holiday Resort
Kaloha Holiday Resort
3.5 out of 5
Cnr Steele & Chapel Streets, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$165 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
AU$165
per night
8 Jul - 9 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (797 reviews)
"Great beach access, hands off check in, check out and very compact functional three-bedroom kitchen apartment for family togetherness."

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2024

Kaloha Holiday Resort
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
4 out of 5
2128 Phillip Island Road, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$239 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
AU$239
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly resort in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Wasn't sure how the heating and cooling system worked so it was too warm inside"

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartments at Glen Isla
Apartments at Glen Isla
3 out of 5
234 Church Street, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Penguin ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (356 reviews)
"I like everything"

Reviewed on 23 May 2024

Apartments at Glen Isla
The Waves Apartments
The Waves Apartments
4.5 out of 5
1 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Silverleaves Beach and Phillip Island ...
9/10 Wonderful! (656 reviews)
"Ok . Instructions to check in very poor."

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2024

The Waves Apartments
Phillip Island Towers
Phillip Island Towers
4 out of 5
59-61 Chapel Street, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and furnished balconies. Popular attractions Phillip Island Ferry Dock and Silverleaves ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (75 reviews)
"Comfy beds very clean close to everything"

Reviewed on 21 Jan. 2024

Phillip Island Towers
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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