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.

Seahorse Motel

Seahorse Motel

3.5 out of 5
29-31 Chapel Street, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$140 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
AU$140
per night
5 Aug - 6 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (923 reviews)
"Seahorse Motel was easy to get to, close to main street but quiet. It was well maintained with clean, modern facilities, one outstanding features from my perspective, was the water pressure was amazing with PLENTY of hot water! The staff were very friendly and accommodating."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Seahorse Motel
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$210 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
AU$210
per night
31 July - 1 Aug
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Another great"

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
North Pier Hotel

North Pier Hotel

3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
The price is AU$151 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$151
per night
18 Aug - 19 Aug
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
"I had a lovely stay. The room was simple and comfortable."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

North Pier Hotel
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.
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! (689 reviews)
"Great!"

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

The Waves Apartments
Seascape Escape

Seascape Escape

Cowes
Stay at this vacation home in Cowes. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Cowes Beach are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (25 reviews)
Cosy small house
"The house was nice and cosy and a great location, however the mattresses were quiet poor and should be upgraded and the outside was abit of a mess and their was a dead cat right near the verandah"

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Seascape Escape
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! (288 reviews)
"The host greeted us on arrival to show us in. Such a lovely lady. Would not hesitate to go back."

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 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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Cities near Phillip Island