Phillip Island

Travel Guide

A rugged coastline with rocky outcrops and waves crashing against them.
Two surfers in the water with surfboards.
A sandy beach with rocky outcrops and a clear blue ocean.
A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, a wooden walkway, and a prominent rock formation.
A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, green vegetation, and a wooden staircase leading down to the shore.

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.

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island

2.5 out of 5
24 Old Bridge Drive Newhaven VIC
The price is S$72 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
S$72
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach holiday park in Newhaven. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (508 reviews)
"Worth the money"

Reviewed on 14 Sept, 2026

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island
Seahorse Motel

Seahorse Motel

3.5 out of 5
29-31 Chapel Street Cowes VIC
The price is S$144 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
S$144
5 Oct - 6 Oct
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)
"Kitchen and bathroom perfect."

Reviewed on 23 Sept, 2026

Seahorse Motel
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$205 per night from 11 Oct to 12 Oct
S$205
11 Oct - 12 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Cowes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Phillip ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,003 reviews)
"Clean rooms"

Reviewed on 24 Sept, 2026

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
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! (722 reviews)
"The room was generally great and the pricing is reasonable. Check-in process information was received by email and was comprehensive enough to work. However, there didn't seem to be a single staff member onsite which gives a certain abandoned vibe to the whole place. I also had to do some low level ..."

Reviewed on 11 Sept, 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! (320 reviews)
"Beautiful place. Stayed one night after driving to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade. Wish we had more time in our trip to spend more time here. The place is well maintained and comfortable has everything you need. Vanessa was fantastic with communicating how check in after hours. Even had ..."

Reviewed on 7 Sept, 2026

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Holiday Lifestyle Cowes

Holiday Lifestyle Cowes

2 out of 5
137 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC
Stay at this campsite in Cowes. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Phillip Island Leisure Centre and Phillip Island ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"All excellent , will go again"

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2026

Holiday Lifestyle Cowes
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.

Stay near popular Phillip Island attractions

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