Phillip Island Travelers Recommend

Famous for its coastal views and wildlife reserves, Phillip Island is an idyllic escape from Melbourne. Three days leaves plenty of time to take in top attractions, get off the beaten path, and relax on secluded beaches. Here’s how to spend three days on Phillip Island.

Day 1: Wildlife & Wilderness

If you don’t have your own transport, the most convenient way to explore Phillip Island is on a tour that focuses on the island’s main attraction—wildlife. Start the morning with a wildlife-watching cruise from Cowes Jetty and admire the island’s dramatic coastline as you cruise to Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. If you’re visiting between May and October, you might also spot dolphins and humpback whales. 

Back on the mainland, opt for an afternoon tour that transports you to the Koala Conservation Centre, where you can see koalas in their natural habitat, and Churchill Island Heritage Farm, a traditional Aussie working farm.

At sunset, head to Summerland Beach to see the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade, when thousands of Little Penguins return to their beachside burrows after a day at sea; book admission tickets in advance to secure the best viewpoints. 

Day 2: Explore the Mornington Peninsula

Just a short ferry ride from Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula is renowned for its pristine beaches, scenic countryside, and excellent food and wine. A day trip is the ideal way to tick off dispersed highlights, which include Arthur’s Seat, the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, and the Mornington Railway steam train. 

Spend the morning shopping at the peninsula’s lively markets—the Red Hill Community Market and Emu Plains Market are among the best, and boast stalls replete with artisan foods and unique souvenirs. 

In the afternoon, stop at one of the wineries in the Main Ridge, Merricks, or Red Hill districts, to sample some of the region’s top wines; several tours are dedicated entirely to wine and offer visitors the chance to sample multiple varietals. For food lovers, other must-visits include the Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. 

Day 3: Coastal Walks and Beach Breaks

Start the day with a scenic hike around Cape Woolamai, a rocky promontory at the southernmost tip of the island. The Cape Woolamai Walk takes around 2.5 hours and affords spectacular views as it winds through the Phillip Island Nature Park. Although the trail is signposted, hiking with a guide means you can venture off-road to little-known viewpoints and learn more about flora and fauna. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the island’s sandy shores. A car is essential for exploring the far-flung beaches; a tour lets you skip the hassle of hiring a car, and a guide reveals the safest spots to swim. Stop to watch the surfers at Surf Beach on the south coast, pay a visit to the nearby Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Centre—where the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is held—then head to the north coast to admire the stunning Red Rocks beach. 

Less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. One day leaves just enough to time to squeeze in the highlights, but plan ahead and book a guided tour to maximize your time. Here’s how to spend one day on Phillip Island. 

Morning: A Taste of Australia

Public transport is limited on Phillip Island so unless you plan to hire a car, it’s best to opt for a private or group tour that transports you between island highlights with ease. Most tours cover Cape Woolamai, the rocky promontory at the southernmost tip of the island, and the Pinnacle Lookout for dramatic ocean views. 

You’re also likely to stop at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory before visiting the nearby Churchill Island Heritage Farm, a typical Aussie working farm located on a tiny island. After watching a sheep shearing display, head to one of Phillip Island’s food hotspots, the Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant, for lunch. 

Afternoon: Ocean Views and Wildlife

Start the afternoon with a visit to one of Phillip Island’s most popular attractions, the Koala Conservation Centre. A stroll through the natural bushlands offers plenty of opportunities to spot koalas, wallabies, and echidnas in their natural environment; nearly all Phillip Island day tours visit the park. 

Afterwards, head over to the southwest coast, where a walk along The Nobbies boardwalk affords views across the Bass Strait and Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. If you want to get a closer look at the animals, wildlife-watching cruises set sail from Cowes Jetty and offer the chance to spot whales from May to October. 

Night: Watch the Penguin Parade

The star attraction of Phillip Island is undoubtedly the nightly Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. The beach is home to thousands of Little Penguins—the largest colony in Australia —and each night at sunset, the penguins waddle back to their burrows on the beach after a day at sea. 

To avoid disappointment on the day, pre-book a package that includes tickets to the general viewing area and round-trip hotel transfers, or upgrade to secure a spot on the Penguin Plus Viewing Platform, which offers unobstructed views of the natural phenomenon. 

Phillip Island is famous for its wildlife, but the headlining act is its little penguins who take center stage every evening during a sunset "penguin parade" and all waddle ashore to spend the night in their burrows. Here's how to catch the show.

Where to Go

The penguin parade takes place at Summerlands Beach on the southwestern shore of Phillip Island. Most tours run from Melbourne, about 85 miles (140 km) to the north, and include roundtrip transportation.

When to Go

Sunset hours provide the best time for spotting the little penguins in the wild, as this is when they return from feeding to rest and care for their young.

How to Go

Opt for an evening penguin parade tour from Melbourne. For the best view, upgrade to gain access to the dedicated viewing platform and watch the thousands of penguins descend on the beach. Alternatively, combine tickets for the penguin parade with an island sightseeing tour, a Melbourne city tour, or stops at other Phillip Island attractions such as the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.

Whether you’re planning an action-packed weekend away or taking a relaxing overnight trip from Melbourne, two days is just enough time to explore the secluded beaches and wildlife reserves of Phillip Island. Here’s how to spend two days on Phillip Island.

Day 1:  Coastal Views & Culinary Delights

**Morning:**The Cape Woolamai Walk is one of Phillip Island’s most rewarding hikes; hiking tours allow you to stray from the beaten path without getting lost, while exploring with a guide ensures you find safe swimming spots. 

**Afternoon:**Tours of Phillip Island often include a visit to the Rusty Water Brewery and the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, where you can sample artisan produce. After lunch, visit the Churchill Island Heritage Farm, where afternoon demonstrations include cow milking, sheep shearing, and working dog displays—book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line. 

**Night:**Spend the evening at Summerland Beach, where the famous nightly Penguin Parade takes place. Pre-book tickets for the Penguin Plus Viewing Platform for the best views or get there early to secure a place in the general viewing area.

Day 2: Wildlife Watching

**Morning:**Set sail on a wildlife-watching cruise from Cowes Jetty and look out for fur seals, dolphins, and whales (from May to October) as you sail around Phillip Island. Back in Cowes, spend some time exploring the lively beach town, with its many shops, restaurants, and bars—a perfect spot for lunch.

**Afternoon:**Visit the Koala Conservation Centre, where you can spot koalas, wallabies, and echidnas in their natural environment on a bushland walk. For the best value, consider buying a 3 Park Pass, which includes entrance to Churchill Island and the Penguin Parade. 

**Night:**The lookout points at nearby Surf Beach are a great spot from which to watch the sunset. Afterwards, head to one of the resort’s restaurants, such as the popular Waterfront House, for a seafood dinner with views of the seafront. 

The rocky coves and wind-swept shores of Phillip Island offer impressive views and incredible wildlife-watching opportunities. Whether you are staying on the island or visiting on a day trip from nearby Melbourne, here are your options to explore Phillip Island’s coastlines.

Watch the Little Penguins

The star attraction of Phillip Island is the nightly Penguin Parade on Summerland Beach. As the sun sets, hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore to return to their burrows and special viewing areas have been set up to watch the penguins without disturbing their natural routine.

Go Wildlife Watching

Penguins aren’t the only animal attractions along the coast of Phillip Island. Nearby Seal Rocks is home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony. Bottlenose and common dolphins are often spotted offshore, and the coastal cliffs harbor sea birds, including gannets, albatross, and sea eagles.

Hit the Water

The island’s white-sand beaches offer plenty of options for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. South coast beaches like Woolamai Beach and Surf Beach are best suited to experienced surfers, while the northern beaches of Cowes and Red Rocks are family favorites. If surfing isn’t your thing, you can get your adrenaline pumping with water sports like kayaking or flyboarding.

Take a Boat Trip

Some of the best views of Phillip Island are from the water and there are a number of options for boat trips, from full-day catamaran tours to romantic twilight cruises. Set sail around the dramatic sea cliffs and caves of Cape Woolamai, spot landmarks like the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, or watch for whales and dolphins along the coast.