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.

Seahorse Motel

Seahorse Motel

3.5 out of 5
29-31 Chapel Street Cowes VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$132 per night from 8 June to 9 June
AU$132
8 June - 9 June
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff were amazing and very helpful. The rooms were very comfortable and warm on arrival. Very clean and comfortable beds. Walking distance to town was great and would highly recommend anyone that wanted to stay there.!"

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Seahorse Motel
Amaroo Holiday Park

Amaroo Holiday Park

3 out of 5
97 Church St Cowes VIC
The price is AU$94 per night from 14 June to 15 June
AU$94
14 June - 15 June
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! (448 reviews)
"Amaroo Holiday Park has a lovely, relaxed feel to it. The grounds are very neat and well laid out. The gardens are pleasant and well maintained. We loved our 2 BR cabin (we were given an upgrade from a 1 BR). It was very clean, comfortable and well-equipped, with everything we needed. It was nice ..."

Reviewed on 1 June 2026

Amaroo Holiday Park
North Pier Hotel

North Pier Hotel

3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade Cowes VIC
The price is AU$128 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$128
15 June - 16 June
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! (1,000 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on 27 May 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! (713 reviews)
"Beautiful location just slightly away from the main strip in Cowes but easy walk. Room was clean and spacious with a nice view out to the port. Underground parking makes you feel safe and secure."

Reviewed on 31 May 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! (314 reviews)
"We really enjoyed making these apartments our home away from home. They are well appointed & comfortable. Not the newest property now but still spotless and very spacious with a host that greets you and is very accommodating. We'd happily return."

Reviewed on 25 May 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! (465 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on 3 May 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.

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