Phillip Island

Travel Guide

Phillip Island showing rocky coastline
Phillip Island showing surfing as well as a small group of people
Phillip Island showing a beach as well as a small group of people
Phillip Island
Phillip Island showing a sandy 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 RM253 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
RM253
RM278 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 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! (1,000 reviews)
A great stay
"Perfect location opposite beach and close to shops. Very good restaurant/pub attached to premises making it extremely convenient. Rooms spacious"

Reviewed on 30 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 RM487 per night from 4 May to 5 May
RM487
RM579 total
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! (1,000 reviews)
Phillip Island Gem
"Great stay at Ramada for our families. The pool, hot tub spa and cart use were really a plus. Double thumbs up for friendly staff that showed us the herb garden and explained local plants and their use in the kitchen. Close to everything on Phillip Island. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 31 Mar 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
The price is RM225 per night from 4 May to 5 May
RM225
RM225 total
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 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! (404 reviews)
"Easy check in and out. Cabin clean and tidy"

Reviewed on 1 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! (433 reviews)
"Great stay , pool is nice and everything was within walking distance."

Reviewed on 2 Feb 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! (275 reviews)
Luxurious property near the Penguin parade
"Really lovely property, very well appointed. Spacious, light, good shower, comfortable bed. Nice balcony area to sit out with a cup of tea! Right on the edge on Cowes so peaceful. Short drive to Nobbies and the Penguin Parade. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
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. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Cowes Beach are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (360 reviews)
"It was a comfortable room but with lot of room for improvement. Overall the room looks very outdated. If i am travelling with my family, this may not be my choice of stay. It is also far from dining options and shops."

Reviewed on 27 Dec 2024

Apartments at Glen Isla
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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