Phillip Island

Travel Guide

Phillip Island featuring rugged 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 which includes 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.

Seahorse Motel

Seahorse Motel

3.5 out of 5
29-31 Chapel Street, Cowes, VIC
The price is P5,134 per night from Oct 6 to Oct 7
P5,134
P5,647 total
Oct 6 - Oct 7
includes taxes & fees
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! (946 reviews)
"Child friendly. There is a play area for kids. Must be supervised as it is where cars are parked etc. Rooms are equipped with all the basics. Good working order. Comfortable room. Clean bathrooms. Close to main street. Staff was friendly and welcoming."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2025

Seahorse Motel
North Pier Hotel

North Pier Hotel

3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is P5,750 per night from Sep 29 to Sep 30
P5,750
P6,325 total
Sep 29 - Sep 30
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,005 reviews)
"The property inside was clean and tidy. It was a little bit on the older side and the carpets were a little bit unkempt. The old spiders webs on the outside of the building were an indication of its age. But it was a central and convenient place to stay after watching the penguins."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2025

North Pier Hotel
Amaroo Holiday Park

Amaroo Holiday Park

3 out of 5
97 Church St, Cowes, VIC
The price is P4,104 per night from Oct 2 to Oct 3
P4,104
P4,104 total
Oct 2 - Oct 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Phillip Island Ferry Dock ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (349 reviews)
"Booking was for Classic One-Bedroom King Cabin. Cabin was quite spacious except bedroom was very small and only a double bed."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2025

Amaroo Holiday Park
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! (697 reviews)
"Across the road from the beach,walkable to shops,cafes and restaurants. Clean and modern apartment would highly recommend a stay here"

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2025

The Waves Apartments
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! (449 reviews)
"Unfortunately we had some scaffolding to look at, but otherwise it was excellent. Probably could change cleaning products to not have the smell of chlorine when entering the apartment."

Reviewed on Aug 23, 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! (292 reviews)
"Beautiful place"

Reviewed on Aug 18, 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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