Content
Just an hour and a half from Melbourne, Phillip Island is one of Victoria’s most popular year-round holiday destinations. Some of its unique attractions and the lure of its beaches are well-known for attracting families from New South Wales and Queensland.
Historically, the island has become a wildlife reserve and a wild habitat thanks to the conservation efforts of local people. Over time, additional activities and adrenaline-pumping attractions such as the Moto GP race track, helicopter rides and water sports were introduced to the island.
Today, Phillip Island is incredibly famous for its many farms, which have created gourmet trails that draw on the history of the place and add a touch of extravagance. The island is now home to working farms, wineries with associated restaurants, and full baskets of local produce for sale.
Whatever the age of your children, Phillip Island is sure to have something to do for the whole family.
Best things to do in Phillip Island
Penguin Parade
The Phillip Island Day Trip Penguin Parade is world-famous – you will meet people who come to Australia to see the penguins in action!
The Penguin Parade is a day-to-day event where little penguins slowly form their ranks in the surf on the beaches of southwest Phillip Island and make their way onto the beach and into their dens to feed their chicks. The penguins only start gathering in the water at sunset to avoid being attacked by aerial predators.
What happens is very cute: these tiny creatures swim in the water just after the surf and gain a critical mass that gives them enough courage to move together across the sand. Because they are small, they stagger and scramble over with their little legs as fast as possible. So it is unsurprising that some of them fall, get up and join the running groups of penguins.
When the groups of penguins reach the dunes, you can hear the young baby penguins calling to them to feed.
The event ends when the last groups of penguins appear from the water onto the sand and return home. After the parade, you can walk along the boardwalks and watch the adult penguins regurgitate the fish they caught for their babies.
The Koala Conservation Centre
After little penguins, Phillip Island is synonymous with koalas, but you may be surprised to learn that in the 1980s, the island’s koala population was close to extinction.
In the 1900s, Victoria experienced a notable decline in the koala population due to the development of the logging industry and the collapse of native habitats, so koalas from Phillip Island and French Island were used to repopulate the rest of Victoria. Unfortunately, this disrupted the delicate balance of koala numbers on the island, necessitating conservation measures on the island itself.
As a result, several koala reserves have sprung up on the island, some of which allow you to get up close and personal with these furry creatures. Others even offer “close encounters” where you can hold a tiny koala in your arms or approach it as it sits in a tree chewing leaves.
Sea kayaking
Western Port Bay surrounds Phillip Island to the north and Bass Strait to the south. The northern waters are calmer and more popular with novice sea kayakers, while the southern waters are closer to wild waves, big surf and large sea creature viewing.
Book a kayak trip on either side of the island, or sit back and enjoy the thrill of a jet ski ride.
For a less adrenaline-fuelled experience, book a seal, dolphin or whale-watching cruise.
Whales are only visible in winter. If you want to see a whale, sign up for notifications on the Wildlife Whales app.
Helicopter flights
There’s a great way to see Phillip Island’s scenery from more than just a bird’s eye view. Helicopter flights offer scenic getaways priced from AU$125, with itineraries covering :
- Cape Woolamai
- Grand Prix circuit
- Railway Station
- Cowes
- Seal Rocks
- Penguins
Children under three can travel for free if they sit on your lap during the flight.
Visit a 19th-century farm
Churchill Island lies east of Phillip Island, just north of Newhaven. This 57-hectare island, accessed by a narrow bridge from the main island, is home to a small collection of farm buildings dating from the 1800s.
The Phillip Island Park Run uses the path around the island. It offers magnificent views of the island and is frequented by black swans.
Once at the farm, you can wander around the various buildings and meet (and pet) some of their inhabitants, including cows, horses, ducks, sheep and many more.
Farm volunteers regularly organise activities such as feeding the animals, milking the cows and shearing the sheep.
To buy fresh produce, come to the island on the last Saturday of the month for the monthly farmers’ market.
On the other side of Phillip Island, another working farm welcomes visitors: Omaru Farm. Omaru is located in the warm Ventnor Hills, with a climate similar to the Mediterranean, so it’s no surprise that it’s ideal for growing olives. Pop into the farm shop for some delicious chilli jam and olive oil, then relax outside with panoramic views of the Western Harbour and the farm’s Nobbies play area.
Learn to surf
An ideal place to learn to surf safely and practise. The following beaches are supervised at weekends from December to February and during the school summer holidays:
- Cape Woolamai
- Smiths Beach
YCW beach is unsupervised and ideal for beginners, while the waters of Cape Woolamai require experienced swimmers.
For children just starting to surf or would like to take a few lessons, visit the Big Wave Surfing Complex, where you’ll find several options for booking lessons at a suitable level. Don’t forget to pose on the Big Wave and Combi Van rides in the car park.
There’s a large playground just off the main road at Newhaven after crossing the island from San Remo for those with young children.
Splashing and swimming
One of the most attractive aspects of visiting Phillip Island with children is the incredible possibility of finding a new beach almost every day where children of all ages can swim, whether in the shallow waters suitable for toddlers, the open but calmer waters of Western Port Bay, or in the adventurous waves.
The most famous beach is Cowes Main Beach, just opposite the town centre, but don’t limit yourself there, as the beaches on the north coast stretch almost the entire length of this part of the island.
Cowes Main Beach is the only beach with no surfing and is regularly patrolled by lifeguards on weekends in December and February and during the summer holidays.
However, the following beaches are ideal for children:
- Red Rock Beach
- Forrest Caves
- Ventnor Beach (also with red rocks)
- This shallow surf beach offers a popular walk to the sea caves.
- Beware: many steps lead up to the beach through the dunes.
- San Remo Beach
This excellent children’s beach is near the Lions Park playground in San Remo.
Play a round of miniature golf
When you go on an extended holiday, it’s good to change scenery and enjoy activities in a semi-enclosed environment. Miniature golf is a great way to get all the kids involved, from toddlers to teenagers.
There are two mini-golf sites: the first, Grumpys Crazy Golf, is located in Cowes, so you don’t need to take the car if you’re staying in the city.
The second, A Maze’N Things, is in the island’s centre, but it’s much more than just a mini-golf course. At A Maze’N Things, children are entertained for hours with puzzles, illusions, mini-golf and mazes.
Pelicans in San Remo
Popular tourist activities include buying fish and chips at the San Remo Fishermans Co-Op and watching the pelicans feed each day on the beach next to the grocery shop by the pier.
Like the south coast of Phillip Island, San Remo has several beaches that are suitable for children. One is San Remo Children’s Beach, right by the Co-Op, and the other is San Remo Back Beach, further down the coast.
You can send your child to the San Remo Park Playground on the other side of the Co-Op. The play equipment is suitable for toddlers and teens.
Mangroves and try bushmeat specialities in Rhyll
Rhyll is a small village in the north-east of Phillip Island. It is situated on a stretch of coastline characterised by truly unique vegetation. It’s a memorable place to sightsee – walk along the Rhyll Wetlands Walk to the Rhyll Inlet viewing platform. On the walk, you’ll see mangroves, a unique feature of this part of Victoria. Looking further out, you can see French Island and the tip of the mainland at Sandy Point.
The Rhyll Land Walk passes through the Rhyll Inlet State Wildlife Reserve – the journey from Conservation Hill to Rhyll takes about an hour each way. Most of the path is boardwalk or packed gravel, suitable for pushchairs, although a degree of suspension is required.
Along the way, you may spot wallabies in the fields of nearby farms.
In Rhylle, it’s worth planning a visit to the Wild Food Farm and its café. Here, you can enjoy dishes with a distinct bush-tucker flavour. The menu includes child-friendly dishes, with babychinos for younger children. In the backyard next to the café, you’ll see the aviary of Robbo, an 85-year-old grey crested cocka.
Watching Wallabies and Swan Lake at Summerlands
Head west of the island, towards Nobby and the penguin centre, and you’ll come across Swan Lake. The lakes are surrounded by a walking trail and bird sanctuaries offering stunning views.
Once you’re in the refuge and open the observation window, you’ll see a panorama of the lake with hundreds of swans, geese and waterfowl in front of you. If you’re lucky and patient, you may see wallabies sitting on the edge of the lake drinking.
The walk takes 15 minutes (1.7 kilometres) so is perfect for little legs.
Whales and seals at Nobby
From May to October, whales migrate through the waters south of Phillip Island, visiting several whale nurseries in the Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool area. Nobby Reserve is, therefore, an ideal location for whale watching.
The promenade, including the boardwalk, at Nobbies Centre is 1km away, or 20 minutes, making it suitable for pushchairs and children.
To see other mammals, take a whale and seal-watching cruise. Seals can be seen all year round, but whale-watching cruises are only available in winter.
If the weather doesn’t lend itself to a boat trip, you and your children can learn more about the wildlife south of Phillip Island and Antarctica and how the environment is preserved. The journey to Antarctica at the Nobbies Centre includes images, interactive experiences and an exciting video about penguins, seals, whales and seabirds.
French Island Ferry
Like Phillip Island, French Island has always been a place where koala populations have thrived and remained intact. Unlike Phillip Island, French Island has been almost entirely taken over by Victoria Parks and has become a wildlife reserve rather than an island for development.
As a result, French Island has only around 100 inhabitants, and the main routes to the island are by ferry.
Once on the island, you can wander around the island and its beaches. The campsite at Fairhaven is ideal for walking (i.e. without a vehicle). The primary nature trails on the island are as follows.
Old Coast Road Track – 5 kilometres, 1.5 hours one way.
West Coast Wetlands Walking Trail – 9.6 kilometres, 3.2 hours return.
Fairhaven North Beach Walk – 4 kilometres, 2 hours round trip.
There are 3 to 5 ferries a day between Cowes and French Island. Most of the crossings between the islands take place on weekends.
Cowes, Phillip Island
Cowes is an exciting town on Phillip Island, home to council buildings. It takes its name from the town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, which is its official sister town. The city is most prevalent during Australia’s summer school holidays when its population quintuples.
Retailing is much quieter at other times of the year, so shops, cafes and restaurants are usually only open for as long as the local population of around 7,000 across the island needs.
The island’s main activity centres on Cowe’s main beach and pier, where you can fish and sometimes see seals. The beach is relatively shallow and popular with families, as it is the only beach on the island’s north coast that lifeguards regularly patrol.
Cowes hosts the island’s summer carnival during the summer school holidays, usually from late December to late January. The carnival is a tradition and has been running for over 50 years. There are all kinds of amusements on offer, including dodgems, gazebos, ‘extreme’ rides and sweet treats such as caramel apples, cinnamon monkeys and lollipops.
The following cafes and restaurants have children-specific menus at lunch and dinner:
- Cheeky Goose Cafe
- North Pier Hotel, Bar, Bistro & Accommodation
Upstairs at North Pier are games rooms featuring inflatable obstacle courses and a cinema room.
- Cafe Lugano
- Penny Lane Island Cafe
- Isola di Capri
Moto GP
The Australian round of the Moto GP is held annually at the Phillip Island Circuit. The race fills the island with visitors from all over the country and abroad.
On other days, the circuit hosts other races, including classic cars, motorcycles and supercars.
Next to the main race track is a 750-metre-long mini-circuit, where you can hire a go-kart to drive around the track. Phillip Island’s go-kart track offers spectacular views of Bass Strait.
Chocolaterie
Panny’s Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is home to the world’s largest chocolate waterfall, a series of interactive chocolate-themed games, and a place to buy delicious chocolate treats.
Your adventure will start with an edible chocolate bar and include the chance to create a personalised chocolate bar and other delicious experiences.
Entry is free for under-4s, so it’s worth giving it a go if you have young children!
Gastronomic Experience
Cape Woolamai is the highest point on the island, overlooking the steep slopes leading to the beach and water, with a clearly defined coastal landscape.
Cape Woolamai Beach is renowned for its strong waves and is one of the few controlled beaches on the island. There is Woolamai Park Play Park for younger visitors, which is not an end but a good stop-off point for toddlers and teenagers.
Further north, along the coast, you’ll find The Cape Kitchen restaurant. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Red Cliffs, this restaurant is a marvel of haute cuisine, serving seafood that perfectly matches the panoramic views.
After this gastronomic treat, you can walk along the cliffs on one of Cape Woolamai’s footpaths. The Pinnacles Trail, marked in green, best suits those travelling with children. This is the shortest trail, about 4 km long (2-hour’ journey); remember to bring snacks and water; this trail is unsuitable for pushchairs.
See the pyramid and relax at the winery
The best view of Pyramid Rock is from the Pyramid Rock Lookout. Head south along the gravel path aptly named Pyramid Rock Road. It’s just a short walk (800m) from the car park to the lookout, where you’ll get great views of Pyramid Rock. Halfway up, there is a viewing platform that can be reached with a pushchair, but after that, some steps and paths are relatively level but inaccessible to pushchairs.
A short drive away – literally on a neighbouring road, though an 8-minute drive through the countryside – is Phillip Island Wine Estate. This winery is becoming increasingly well-known on the Phillip Island culinary circuit. It has a winery, restaurant and shop offering excellent local and regional Victorian produce.
As you’d expect, the restaurant offers an alternating menu with the best of seasonal and local produce, Australian style. There are options for kids and even dog treats.
Government-owned Wonthaggi Colliery
On your way back from Phillip Island, stop at the government-owned Wonthaggi Colliery for some history and stretch your legs. The mine, which operated from 1909 to 1968, offers tours of the mine tunnels where you can see first-hand how the work was done. The tour lasts around an hour, and you must wear a helmet.
What to see around Melbourn?
Great Ocean Road
Suppose you don’t want to plan your trip but want to visit the Great Ocean Road and see the 12 Apostles, Memorial Arch, Apollo Bay, and Loch Ard Gorg. We recommend booking Great Ocean Road Trips; you won’t have to worry about the little details.
Lake Mountain
Tired of the heat and want a change of scenery? Visit Lake Mountain, a snow resort in Australia with modern facilities. It is the closest snow resort to Melbourne, with mountain views surrounded by excellent cross-country ski trails and toboggan fields. On Snow Tours from Melbourne, you can make a snowman, go sledging, take a ski lesson or throw snowballs!