Phillip Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Phillip Island showing rugged coastline
Phillip Island showing surfing as well as a small group of people
Phillip Island featuring a beach as well as a small group of people
Phillip Island
Phillip Island featuring a beach
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$91 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$91
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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)
"Great room, close to the beach and restaurants, and kids loved the games room. Friendly staff too. Would definitely come here again."

Reviewed on 15 Mar. 2025

North Pier Hotel
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 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$239
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"We had a great time at Ramada, always recommended."

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2025

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Amaroo Holiday Park
Amaroo Holiday Park
3 out of 5
97 Church St, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$118 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$118
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Phillip Island Ferry Dock ...
9/10 Wonderful! (301 reviews)
"I was there at a quieter time, so the park wasn't that busy. Just had a nice little getaway."

Reviewed on 21 Mar. 2025

Amaroo Holiday Park
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.
Phillip Island Apartments
Phillip Island Apartments
4 out of 5
9-11 Bass Ave, entrance off Chapel Ave, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Phillip Island Ferry Dock and Silverleaves Beach are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (438 reviews)
"Looked a bit tired - could use a bit of paint"

Reviewed on 16 Mar. 2025

Phillip Island Apartments
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! (674 reviews)
"Nice and quiet place to have some personal time."

Reviewed on 7 Jan. 2025

The Waves Apartments
Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
4 out of 5
124-128 Red Rocks Road, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Ventnor Bushland Reserve are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (264 reviews)
"We loved our stay! Easily accessible to Cowes with restaurants, groceries, etc and the Nobbies and penguin parade. Communication was fantastic as was the apartment. Phillip Island was one of our favorite stays in Australia because of the abundance of wildlife."

Reviewed on 23 Feb. 2025

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
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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