Cowes

Travel Guide
Cowes which includes a sandy beach
Splash in the sea and laze on the beach, watch the penguin parade or witness the thrilling races of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Cowes is a quaint little town on the northern shore of Phillip Island, facing Victoria’s Western Port Bay. Cowes is the main township on the picturesque southern island and a popular destination for vacationers and daytrippers from Melbourne.

The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is easy to reach by car. Take a walk down Thompson Avenue, with its broad golden cypress trees, to The Esplanade along the waterfront. Together these streets form the beating heart of Cowes, with shops, cafés and restaurants for your convenience. Come here to enjoy an alfresco lunch on a sunny day and shop for souvenirs.

Browse Cowes’ foreshore with its golden beaches and sloping lawns. The bay’s calm waters are ideal for swimming. Afterwards, dine Aussie-style by “throwing a sausage on the barbie” in the public barbecue area. Take in the views from Cowes Jetty and chat with the local fishermen as the sun goes down.

Meet some of Australia’s iconic wildlife that calls Phillip Island home. Purchase a bag of animal food to feed the kangaroos and emus as you wander around the Phillip Island Wildlife Park or take the treetop boardwalk to get closer to a koala at the Koala Conservation Centre.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade in the evening is an opportunity to watch small penguins waddle back up the beach to their nighttime burrows. A local guide is there to answer all your questions.

Time your visit to coincide with one of the racing events at the Phillip Island Circuit. Highlights include the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Superbike Championship. You only have to follow the sound of the roaring engines to find the venue on race days. On training days you can take a ride in the passenger seat of a real race car while a professional driver zooms you around the track. The History of Motorsport exhibit keeps the less adventurous visitor happy as well.

Take a cruise out on the bay for a chance to see the seals at Seal Rocks. Also keep an eye out for dolphins and seabirds. Watch the glowing sun set and the town’s Esplanade twinkle during a romantic twilight cruise. Take this moment to look back on your stay in Cowes and appreciate the many wonderful things this idyllic island town has in store.

North Pier Hotel
North Pier Hotel
3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is S$73 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
S$73
per night
18 Apr - 19 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a children's pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"A very friendly welcome and late change to our reservation was handled VERY well. Thanks."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

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 S$189 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
S$189
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
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. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Amazing location on the island just opposite to the phillip island park which houses a lot of animals . one with the nature without compromising facilities. What I did not like is the housekeeping is not daily done and this is by design it seems. so be mindful of this when booking at this place."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Kaloha Holiday Resort
Kaloha Holiday Resort
3.5 out of 5
Cnr Steele & Chapel Streets, Cowes, VIC
The price is S$146 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$146
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (776 reviews)
"Great spot by the beach"

Reviewed on 19 Mar,2024

Kaloha Holiday Resort
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.
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 Ventnor Bushland Reserve and Cowes Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (237 reviews)
Road trip to penguins
"Beautiful accommodation in every way, can’t fault it, highly recommend"

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
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! (658 reviews)
"Great communication re access and parking, comfortable room and bed. Nicely presented and well located."

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

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! (425 reviews)
"Great accomodation. Would stay again and would highly recommend to others."

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

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

Reviews of Cowes

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 42.857142857142854%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 57.142857142857146%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Feb 2020

Not to be missed. Wonderful town on a beautiful island.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Oct 2019

Pleasant beach. Lovely and clean. Fantastic base.