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$95 per night from 11 May to 12 May
AU$95
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (1,006 reviews)
"People servicing the room changed air condition settings from warm"

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 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$183 per night from 4 May to 5 May
AU$183
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
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! (1,003 reviews)
"Loved everything about it except the bed. The mattress needs replacing. The inner spring on the mattress is no longer inner, can really feel it. Makes sleeping on it very uncomfortable. This was the only issue we faced, otherwise was perfect for us."

Reviewed on 9 Apr. 2025

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island
2.5 out of 5
24 Old Bridge Drive, Crescent, Newhaven, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$76 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
AU$76
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Book a stay at this beach holiday park in Newhaven. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (410 reviews)
"Lovely staff, really clean and modern villas perfect for a family! Location to beach and san remo really good"

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2025

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays 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.
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
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! (267 reviews)
"I would rate this place a 15 on a 1-10 scale. Sorry we only stayed one night, but really enjoyed our stay. No need to look elsewhere, just book this place."

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2025

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Cherub Cottage - quiet romantic getaway. Wifi, Netflix & Disney
Cherub Cottage - quiet romantic getaway. Wifi, Netflix & Disney
Cowes
Stay at this cottage in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Cowes Beach are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (116 reviews)
Cupid Cottage
"Pleasant property lovely location very quiet and close to the beach"

Reviewed on 5 Apr. 2025

Cherub Cottage - quiet romantic getaway. Wifi, Netflix & Disney
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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