Phillip Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Phillip Island
Phillip Island
Phillip Island
Phillip Island
Phillip Island

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.

Amaroo Holiday Park

Amaroo Holiday Park

3 out of 5
97 Church St Cowes VIC
The price is £45 per night from 10 May to 11 May
£45
10 May - 11 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Phillip Island Ferry Dock and Phillip Island Leisure ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (439 reviews)
Great location. Close to main street Coles) close to beach.

Reviewed on 25 Apr 2026

Amaroo Holiday Park
Seahorse Motel

Seahorse Motel

3.5 out of 5
29-31 Chapel Street Cowes VIC
The price is £74 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£74
5 May - 6 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
We found our stay to be very pleasant, and the property was both clean and well-maintained..

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2026

Seahorse Motel
North Pier Hotel

North Pier Hotel

3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade Cowes VIC
The price is £86 per night from 13 May to 14 May
£86
13 May - 14 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Rooms but out dated and bath rooms

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2026

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 luxury aparthotel in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Silverleaves Beach and Phillip Island Ferry Dock ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (711 reviews)
Had an excellent stay here. Very clean, well furnished.Check in was very easy after instructions emailed before hand. Super comfy bed with modern large flatscreen tv. I like the secure parking underneath also. I would gladly enjoy a cool drink from my balcony at The Waves anytime.

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

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 apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Ventnor Bushland Reserve and Cowes Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (312 reviews)
All ggod

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2026

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Phillip Island Apartments

Phillip Island Apartments

4 out of 5
9-11 Bass Ave, entrance off Chapel Ave Cowes VIC
Stay at this apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Phillip Island Ferry Dock and Silverleaves Beach are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (464 reviews)
Great place to stay in summer though fans are needed, appartments have 1 aircon in lounge , but no fans. Great space and great location

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2026

Phillip Island Apartments
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Phillip Island

Explore a world of travel with Expedia