Phillip Island

Travel Guide

Phillip Island showing rocky 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 showing 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 RM356 per night from 18 Sept to 19 Sept
RM356
RM391 total
18 Sept - 19 Sept
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! (938 reviews)
"Generous room, everything you need and super accomodating host, Ross."

Reviewed on 4 Sep 2025

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 RM683 per night from 7 Oct to 8 Oct
RM683
RM752 total
7 Oct - 8 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"When we checked in the reception staff on that day didn’t make a lot of small talk not very welcoming. We canceled a presentation we had there and the gentleman couldn’t get off his mobile phone when my husband was talking face to face to him! Other than that accommodation was nice and clean. Would ..."

Reviewed on 10 Sep 2025

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
North Pier Hotel

North Pier Hotel

3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
The price is RM427 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
RM427
RM469 total
15 Sept - 16 Sept
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! (1,000 reviews)
"My sister and I stayed one night in a twin bed room. We ordered a balcony room overlooking the bay, it was lovely to sit out with a relaxing drink. Although we were on the 2nd floor and no lift only stairs, so dragging luggage up was a challenge as was getting it down the stairs. Rooms were spacious ..."

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2025

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 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! (696 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 7 Sep 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! (448 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 23 Aug 2025

Phillip Island Apartments
Apartments at Glen Isla

Apartments at Glen Isla

3 out of 5
234 Church Street, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Cowes Beach are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (365 reviews)
"Kind people"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Apartments at Glen Isla
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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