Phillip Island Activity Guide: Everything You Need!

Are you looking for some amazing activities to do on Phillip Island? I have created a Phillip Island Activity Guide for you! It has everything you need to make this trip to Phillip Island your best one yet.

Phillip Island is an Aussie gem tucked away in the bottom right corner of Australia. I was lucky enough to live across the bridge from Phillip Island, in the mainland town of San Remo, for 6 months. During this time, I got to experience the island during autumn, winter and spring.

Check out my article on the Top 10 Things to Do in San Remo, Victoria if you’re curious about my recos!

Why Visit Phillip Island? 

But let’s get back to Phillip Island… It’s an absolute slice of paradise bursting with wildlife, beaches and surf vibes. Phillip Island is home to the infamous Penguin Parade that happens every evening at sunset. But the penguins aren’t the only reason you need to visit Phillip Island! 

Phillip Island is a surfing mecca and boasts some of the best waves along Australia’s southern coastline. If you’re not into surfing, you can swim, tan, SUP and bodyboard at the beaches instead. And the fun doesn’t stop there!

You can walk along beautiful nature trails, check out local wineries, eat fantastic fresh seafood and catch stunning sunsets along Phillip Island’s coast. During non-covid times, you can try your hand at Go-Karting on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit or book a whale watching tour (humpback whales anyone?!). 

Actively Explore Phillip Island

Phillip Island is the ULTIMATE activity destination in Victoria, Australia and has something for every kind of adventure seeker. From hiking and surfing to wine tastings and EPIC photography spots, Phillip Island has it all. Keep reading for all my recos on what to do, where to eat and drink and when to visit this lovely little island! 

How to Get There 

From Melbourne, there are basically two ways to reach Phillip Island: car and public transport. 

Car

If you’re lucky enough to have your own wheels, then travelling from Melbourne to Phillip Island is very easy. Take the Monash Highway (M1) out of the city and follow signs for Cranbourne/Hastings (exit 19). From here, take the South Gippsland Highway (M420) to Bass Highway (A420) and follow signs for San Remo/Phillip Island. Once you drive through San Remo, you will leave the mainland via the bridge to Phillip Island and arrive in Newhaven. Congrats, you made it to the island! 

The whole trip should take less than 2 hours, with no traffic. Expect delays if travelling on weekends and/or holidays (like Christmas and Boxing Day). There are alternate driving routes as well so if Google Maps tell you to take a slightly different route, don’t panic. 

Public Transport

From Melbourne, there are a few different train/bus combos that will get you from Melbourne CBD to Phillip Island. For a full list of transit options, check out my Phillip Island Day Trip from Melbourne Activity Guide. 

The trip will take anywhere from 2.5 – 4 hours each way, depending on which day you are travelling and the time (early morning or late at night will have fewer options). In Victoria, face masks are mandatory on public transit so bring one to use! Check Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services website for up-to-date information on covid regulations, as the rules change often. 

What to Do

You have made it to Phillip Island, you’re all excited to start adventuring.. but what exactly is there to do on Phillip Island? Don’t worry, I got you. Keep reading for some awesome ideas and inspo from my Phillip Island activity guide!

Walking 

Cape Woolamai Circuit Track (The Pinnacles and Beacon Lighthouse) 

If you only have time to do one walk during your visit to Phillip Island, make sure it’s this one! Starting from Woolamai Beach car park, this walk takes you along Woolamai Beach for ~1km and then sends you up a flight of wooden stairs to continue along the clifftop track. Cape Woolamai is the highest point on Phillip Island so the views are absolutely stunning, especially when looking back along Woolamai Beach and across the bay to San Remo. 

There are a few paths you can take on this walk, depending on your fitness level and how much time you have. If you can do the full circuit, which is about 8km long and takes about 4 hours, I highly recommend it. This walk takes you to see The Pinnacles, Beacon Lighthouse, Old Granite Quarry and, at low tide, Cleeland Bight Beach. If you are pressed for time, follow the green markers to The Pinnacles and back to the car park (4.5km return and takes about 1.5 hours). This version of the walk is much shorter but you still get EPIC views! 

Pyramid Rock to Berrys Beach 

A little further down the island, you will find Pyramid Rock Lookout at the end of Pyramid Rock Road, off Back Beach Road. This is one of the southernmost points of Phillip Island and offers stunning coastal views! 

If you are short on time, park at Pyramid Rock Lookout car park and walk directly to the Pyramid Rock viewing platform (300m each way) to take it all in. This walk is short, sweet and accessible by wheelchair.  

If you have more time, leave your car in the car park and walk the out-and-back track from Pyramid Rock to Berrys Beach. The route is 2.5km each way (5km return) and takes around 2 hours to complete. There are several viewing platforms along the way to stop and take photos of the gorgeous coastline. Be prepared for lots of wind, even on sunny days!

Oswin Roberts Koala Reserve 

Oswin Roberts Reserve offers several walking trails through the last remaining area of bushland on Phillip Island. If you venture off early in the morning, you have a good chance of spotting wildlife along the way- koalas and wallabies are often seen along the routes. 

If you have plenty of time, I recommend doing the full Oswin Roberts Circuit which is about 4.6km long and takes 1.25 hours to complete. There is also the option to combine this circuit with Conservation Hill and Rhyll Inlet walking tracks to extend the route if you’re looking for an even longer walk. 

Swan Lake Trail 

Swan Lake Trail is for anyone looking to connect with nature without dedicating hours to walking around in the bush. It’s a super short walk (~20 min) with lots of wildlife. Swan Lake is Phillip Island’s only freshwater lake and is home to many beautiful birds including geese, ducks and swans. This walking trail is also infamous for wallaby sightings- have your camera ready! I spotted 5 in the short time I was there (so stoked!). 

Surfing

Phillip Island is home to some of the best surf spots in Victoria! Grab your board and your wetsuit and get ready to ride the waves. 

Best Surf Beaches

Phillip Island is a surfer’s paradise and has become quite popular- be prepared for heaps of surfers in the summer months (December – February) and minimal parking at popular surf beaches such as Surf Beach, Smiths Beach and YCW Beach. In the off-season, expect fewer surfers, more parking and cooler temperatures. Having visited these beaches in the winter months of July and August, I spotted many brave surfers in the water with full wetsuits (including hood and booties) and they looked to be having a blast despite the cold. 

Best Surf Shop

A special thing to note about Smiths Beach is that Island Surfboards has a small store located less than 5 minutes from the beach! The staff are happy to help with any surf-related questions and have plenty of gear in stock for purchase if you’re looking to buy. They also hire wetsuits and boards by the hour or day/half day, which is convenient for beginners like me who don’t have their own equipment.

Wildlife

From penguins to koalas, sea lions to whales and dolphins, Phillip Island has SO much native wildlife just waiting to be discovered. Let’s dive a bit deeper into the unique wildlife experiences that you can enjoy on the island!

Penguin Parade 

One of Phillip Island’s most popular activities is the Penguin Parade, a completely natural phenomenon that has been made available for visitors to witness at Summerland Beach. Every evening at sunset, the world’s smallest penguin (Fairy Penguin) returns to shore after a busy day of exploring the ocean looking for food.  

Visitors can see these penguins in their natural habitat, returning to the safety of their homes made within the sand dunes. The procession of penguins lasts for about an hour. Start and end times of the Penguin Parade vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to visit Phillip Island Nature Parks website for details. 

The Visitor Centre has interactive and educational displays that highlight important info about the penguins and their habitat. Adult tickets cost AUD 27.25 for general viewing. You can buy tickets for the Penguin Parade through the Phillip Island Nature Parks website.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.  

 

Koala Conservation Centre

Although the Penguin Parade is adorable to see, my personal favourite wildlife experience on Phillip Island is the Koala Conservation Centre. If you’re from outside of Australia (like me), you will absolutely love seeing the koalas up close and personal in their natural habitat. You aren’t allowed to touch them, since they are wild animals, but you can get close enough to see their faces and snap some adorable pictures (hello koala selfie!). 

Educational displays can be found inside the Visitor Centre, as well as outside on plaques and signposts while strolling through the trees. The best part of the Koala Conservation Centre is the tree-top boardwalks that let you see koalas up close while they lounge peacefully, eating and sleeping (they sleep for 20 hours per day!). The rangers are very friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to answer questions and share interesting facts about each koala (i.e., their name, how old they are, etc). 

One adult ticket costs AUD 13.50 and can be purchased on the Phillip Island Nature Parks website. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 

Sea Lions Eco Cruise 

A really great way to experience seals in their natural habitat is by taking an eco-cruise from Cowes Jetty out to see Australia’s largest sea lion colony. The sea lions love to hang out on rocks at the Nobbies, about 2km away from the shoreline and are best seen via boat. On most days, you will find around 5,000 seals lounging on the rocks and playing in the water. Seals are very curious creatures and will most likely be just as interested in you as you are in them! It is also quite common to see dolphins while out on the water, so keep an eye out for them. 

The boat cruise lasts around 2 hours and costs AUD 85 for an adult ticket. Boats leave daily from Cowes Jetty at 2 pm. Check out the Wildlife Coast Cruises website to purchase tickets.

Whale Watching 

During the winter months (May – October), Humpback whales and Southern Right whales can be spotted off the coast of Phillip Island. In addition to the Sea Lions Eco Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises offers a winter-only whale watching cruise that’s 4 hours long and goes all the way from Rhyll Jetty around Phillip Island. 

The price is a bit steep (AUD 125 for an adult ticket) BUT the company does their best to track the whales and give an honest opinion on the expected chance of whale sightings (obviously, they can’t guarantee that you will see whales but most days they offer an 80% chance you will see them which is still pretty high!). This tour is totally worth the price, in my opinion, because whales are amazingly majestic creatures and SO COOL to see up close!  

Beaches 

If strolling along the beach is more your style, you have many beautiful beaches to choose from on Phillip Island. Keep reading for my recos on the BEST beaches! 

East Side 

On the east side of the island, you have the sheltered (and relatively calm) Cleeland Bight Beach, which is part of the Cape Woolamai Circuit loop at low tide. This is a popular beach for families in the summer, as the waves are generally small and the water remains calm enough for kids to swim. 

BEST FOR small kids, water activities (i.e., SUP and kayaking) 

South Side

On the south side of the island, you have many amazing beaches to choose from including Woolamai Surf Beach (joined by Anzacs Beach), Surf Beach, Berrys Beach and Kitty Miller Bay. These beaches tend to have higher waves, especially at high tide. It is almost always windy along these beaches so be prepared for that as well. 

BEST FOR surfing, bodyboarding, casual beach walks 

North Side  

On the north side of the island, you have Cowes Beach and Red Rock Beach. Red Rock Beach is especially stunning at low tide during golden hour (hint: awesome photo ops!). Cowes Beach is accessible directly from the town of Cowes, making it easy to explore without a car. This beach also contains Cowes Jetty, which is the jumping-off point for the Sea Lions Eco Cruise and Westernport Ferries mentioned above. 

BEST FOR exploring from Cowes, golden hour beach walks 

Wineries 

Did someone say wine?! I most definitely did! There are two amazing wineries on Phillip Island, Purple Hen Vineyard and Winery and Phillip Island Winery. Both offer wine tastings and a selection of food. I suggest visiting both if you can, but if not, keep reading for some extra info to help you pick one!

Purple Hen Vineyard and Winery

If you’re looking for a unique Phillip Island experience, Purple Hen Vineyard and Winery is it! This family-run winery is found down a quiet country road with beautiful views of surrounding farmland and the Bay of Western Port. 

After a temporary covid-induced shutdown, they are back to regular opening hours and eager to welcome guests for seated food and wine tastings. Purple Hen Wines is most famous for its delicious Sparkling Shiraz (which also happened to be my favourite at the wine tasting). 

Their cellar door is open from 11 am – 5:30 pm. They are open 7 days a week from Boxing Day until the end of February and they are open 5 days a week from March – Christmas Eve (closed Christmas Day). During the off-season, they are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Phillip Island Winery 

Phillip Island Winery is the oldest on the island and is loved equally by visitors and Phillip Island locals. It has become the “go-to” spot on the island for locally-sourced foods, amazing wines and artsy events (think live music and craft workshops). 

Their cellar door is open to the public and offers wine tastings, food and wine pairings and a wide variety of wines for purchase. Drop-ins are welcome anytime but they ask that you call ahead for large groups to make sure there’s room for everyone. 

They are currently operating under reduced hours due to covid. Phillip Island Winery is accepting guests Fridays – Sundays in two sittings (12 pm – 2 pm and 2 pm till closing). Space is limited and bookings are required. Bookings can be made via phone (+61 3 8595 2155) or through their website. 

View their full winter menu and get excited for some delicious food! I can personally recommend the potato pizza- the potato, caramelized onion and garlic combo was to die for. 

Photography 

There are so many awesome photography spots on Phillip Island, but they are easy to miss if you don’t know where to go and what to look for. It wasn’t until I became friends with a few peeps from Phillip Island that they let me in on their best-kept secrets and hidden gems. Keep reading for the BEST photography spots on Phillip Island and how to reach them. 

The Colonnades

The Colonnades is a naturally-occurring rock formation that was formed by cooling lava many years ago. The basalt columns run up and down the cliff face along Surf Beach and are best seen from the beach at low tide. The Colonnades have been nicknamed “organ pipes” because of their shape size.  

TO GET THERE: From Phillip Island Road, turn onto Woolamai Beach Road (at the roundabout for Cape Woolamai). From here, turn right onto Lantana Road and follow it all the way to the end. There is plenty of parking along the dirt road directly opposite the beach. Head down the stairs onto the beach and turn left. The Colonnades will be visible almost immediately, so keep looking to your left and walk close to the cliff face to get the best photos. 

Forrest Caves 

Forrest Caves can be found along Surf Beach and are best viewed at low tide. These naturally-occurring caves have been formed by erosion against the rock cliffs over many years. When the tide is out, you can walk around inside the caves and get some awesome photos. I visited around mid-tide and unfortunately, the water was a bit too high for me to enter the caves. I was still able to walk on top of them and snap some beautiful pictures of the red rocks and wild waves of Surf Beach. But if you plan to visit, I suggest going a bit earlier, at low tide time, to get better photos inside the caves!

TO GET THERE: From Phillip Island Road, turn left onto a dirt side road just before you reach Surf Beach. The sign for Forrest Caves is quite small and easy to miss. Use this map as a guide to avoid getting lost. And be sure to double-check the tides at Surf Beach as well- the caves are completely covered at high tide. 

Magiclands

I only recently discovered Magiclands after doing some research on the best photography spots on Phillip Island. And this stunning spot didn’t disappoint! Magiclands is a section of rugged coastline with beautiful rock formations covered in bright green sea moss. It is best seen at low tide and is a great spot for sunset photography- the green moss creates a lovely contrast with golden hour hues. The rock formations and moss change constantly with the shifting sands brought in by storms and high coastal winds, making for ever-changing photography landscapes. 

TO GET THERE: Park in Woolamai Beach Car Park, located at the very end of Woolamai Beach Road. Walk down the ramp and onto Woolamai Surf Beach and turn left. Continue down the beach for 600m, past the wooden stairs leading up to the Cape Woolamai Track, and keep going until you see the bright green sea moss- welcome to Magiclands! 

SS Speke Shipwreck 

This is an awesome spot to check out something a little different on Phillip Island- a shipwreck! The SS Speke Shipwreck was a massive British ship that crashed into the shores of Kitty Miller Bay in 1906 and has been eroded by the wind and waves ever since. The bow of the ship and various other bits are found in a small cove to the left of Kitty Miller Bay. The wreck is best seen at low to mid-tide. If you time it right, you can walk out across the rocks and get really close to the shipwreck, which makes for some awesome photos (erosion has turned the metal an orangey-red colour which stands out nicely against the blue water and dark grey rocks along the shore). 

TO GET THERE: Park in the Kitty Miller Bay car park, at the end of Kitty Millers Bay Road, and head down the steps to the beach. Follow the walking track from the left side of the beach, up and over the grassy slope, keeping the ocean on your right and fencing on your left. You will walk up and over a few small hills before going down a steep incline into the small cove containing the shipwreck.  

The Pinnacles

I touched on The Pinnacles in the ‘Nature Walks’ section of this guide but wanted to bring it up again because it is one of the BEST photography spots on Phillip Island, hands down! The Pinnacles is a large reddish rock formation covered in bright green moss just past Cape Woolamai Surf Beach. You can photograph it quite well from the shore, but if you’re looking for a bit of extra adventure, you can also climb on top of it. 

There is a small dirt track that leads down the hill from the viewing platform, across a rocky outcrop and then up the side of The Pinnacles. I was a little nervous about climbing The Pinnacles at first, but after watching a few people do it, I decided to give it a go. It was windy at the top but the view was SO beautiful! It felt like the end of the world with an endless sea of blue stretching out in all directions.  

TO GET THERE: Park in Woolamai Surf Beach car park and follow the green markers along the walking track to The Pinnacles. The walking track is 4.5km return and takes about 1.5 hours to complete at a casual pace. Since the rocks are on the south coast of the island, you can snag amazing photos at sunrise AND sunset. 

Pyramid Rock

Although I discovered Pyramid Rock as part of the Pyramid Rock to Berrys Beach nature walk, it deserves a second mention as a stand-alone point of interest on Phillip Island. Even if you don’t have the time or energy to complete the nature walk, you can walk a few hundred metres from the Pyramid Rock car park to the viewing platform overlooking Pyramid Rock and admire the stunning colours and rugged coastline. I was a bit disappointed to find out that you can’t actually access Pyramid Rock (even at low tide), but it was lovely to see just the same. 

TO GET THERE: Park at Pyramid Rock Lookout car park, at the end of Pyramid Rock Road, and walk along the wooden boardwalk to Pyramid Rock lookout (~300m). Visit this spot at sunrise or sunset for amazing photos.

TIP: Bring a jacket with you- it’s incredibly windy!

Where to Eat

My Phillip Island activity guide wouldn’t be complete without food recos! Phillip Island is a foodie’s paradise and has SO MANY delicious restaurants and cafes, I struggled to narrow them down for you! Here are the ones that made the shortlist:

The Cape Kitchen ($$)

If you’re looking for a memorable Phillip Island dining experience, check out The Cape Kitchen. They offer delicious, locally-sourced food with unbeatable ocean views from their waterfront dining room. All three menus on offer (breakfast, lunch and dessert) are made entirely with fresh products right from Victoria, Australia. 

I visited The Cape Kitchen for Sunday Brunch and ordered Eggs Royale (with a mimosa, of course). I absolutely loved my breakfast and the beautiful coastal views. This place is the best brunch spot on the island, in my opinion!

They are open from Thursday to Monday for breakfast and lunch from 8:30 am (10:30 am on Thursday). Bookings can be made via phone (03 5956 7200) or email (hello@thecapekitchen.com.au).

Fig & Olive ($$)

Fig and Olive is THE go-to place for fresh steak and seafood on Phillip Island. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, top-quality Australian beef and fresh seafood sourced from Phillip Island and the Bass Coast of Victoria. From the bar, you have a selection of local and interstate wines from award-winning Australian wineries and a fun and creative cocktail menu if you’re looking for something different.

They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 pm – 8 pm and prefer bookings by phone. Please call them on 04 0594 6505 to book a table.

Cheeky Goose Cafe ($)

Cheeky Goose Cafe is my personal favourite cafe on Phillip Island for several reasons: 1) It is an old church-turned-cafe with amazing architecture with a ton of character, 2) They have a fabulous outdoor dining area with lots of comfy seats and umbrellas (hello summer afternoon drinks!) and 3) They host regular events including live music and open mic night. 

If you’re still not convinced, check out their website and see for yourself! They offer four different menus and have a massive selection of food, desserts, caffeinated drinks + alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, cider, everything you could ever want). I would give food recos but honestly, there are so many delicious things on their menu, you can’t go wrong!

They are open Wednesday through Sunday, from 12 pm – 8 pm. Bookings can be made by phone (03 5907 6900) or online. 

Woolamai Pizza ($) 

This tasty little food truck serves up the best wood-fired oven pizza on Phillip Island. Woolamai Pizza offers a massive selection of traditional and gourmet pizzas (including gluten-free options) as well as starters, pasta and desserts. I tried the Greek Lamb and Garlic Prawn gourmet pizzas and they were both delicious!

Conveniently located in Cape Woolamai, they are open 7 days a week for delivery or takeaway (no dine-in option available). Their hours are 5 pm – 8:30 pm (except Friday and Saturday when they are open until 9 pm). They offer delivery to Cape Woolamai, Newhaven, San Remo, Smiths Beach, Sunderland Bay, Sunset Strip and Surf Beach.

You can order online through their website or via phone (03 5956 7000). 

When to Visit 

Although Phillip Island can be enjoyed all year round, it really comes alive in the summertime. Victorians flock to the beaches and nature trails from December – February for holidays and weekend getaways. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is particularly busy and the price of accommodation absolutely soars. If you are planning to visit during this time, book everything WELL in advance. 

I was lucky enough to experience Phillip Island in three out of the four seasons (autumn, winter and spring). I personally prefer the slightly cooler temperatures and quieter crowds that come with shoulder season (spring and autumn) vs the peak heat and bustling crowds of summer. 

If you’re a surfer, winter brings epic swells to the area and most locals are eager to hop into the waves, despite the chilly air temperatures. I was never this brave but I witnessed heaps of other brave souls surfing the waves in mid-winter. 

If you have a good rain jacket and an adventurous spirit, I honestly believe you can enjoy Phillip Island at any time of the year. It is such an underrated destination with many amazing activities on offer. I urge you to go experience it for yourself!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog post! I really hope you found my Phillip Island activity guide useful for planning the best trip EVER.

Please let me know if you have any questions or think I missed anything. I hope your time on Phillip Island is epic in every way. 

Other articles you will love:

• Phillip Island Day Trip From Melbourne: Your Ultimate Guide

• Top 10 Things to do in San Remo, Victoria