Phillip Island Day Trip From Melbourne: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you planning a Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne? If so, this ULTIMATE GUIDE is all you need to plan the best trip ever! Phillip Island is an amazing holiday destination for Aussies and tourists alike. There are many fun things to see and do on the island, including nature walks, beautiful beaches and wildlife experiences (penguins and koalas anyone?!).  

Phillip Island is the perfect day trip from Melbourne, at any time of year. It is especially popular in the summer months (December – February) and between Christmas and New Year’s. This ultimate guide to Phillip Island will inspire you to get out of the city and experience the island’s amazing nature and wildlife for yourself. 

This ultimate guide includes everything you need to know about Phillip Island, whether you’re exploring for a day or a full weekend getaway from Melbourne. GET EXCITED! 

How to Get There 

Phillip Island is located 2 hours away from Melbourne, in Bass Coast, Victoria. The island itself is about 20km long and is connected to the mainland by a bridge that links San Remo (on the mainland) to Newhaven (on the island). Phillip Island is actually quite easy to access from metro Melbourne, making it the perfect destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. 

There are a few different ways to get to Phillip Island from Melbourne, depending on your budget and how much time you have. I will break down each of the options so you can pick what works best for you.

Driving

Your Own Car

The fastest and most direct way to get to Phillip Island is by driving your own car from Melbourne (hello road trip!). 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 and drive over the bridge to Phillip Island. 

Car Hire

If you want to drive to Phillip Island but don’t own a car, car hire is another option for you. This costs ~ AUD 50 per day and can be arranged by a variety of car hire companies in Melbourne. For an idea of car hire pricing and deals, visit Hertz Australia website. 

Public Transport

 

Option 1:

Train from Southern Cross Station to Dandenong + bus from Dandenong Station to Cowes (Phillip Island) 

For your Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne, you can catch a train from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne CBD to Dandenong station. The trip takes 1 hour and can be paid for using your Myki card. 

From Dandenong Station, catch the VLine bus to Cowes. Tickets can be purchased at the counter in Dandenong Station. The trip takes about 2.5 hours.

If the VLine bus terminates before reaching Phillip Island, switch buses at Anderson and catch the free South Coast bus from Anderson to Cowes. This last part of the trip takes around 45 minutes.

If you need a little help planning your transit route, feel free to reach out to South Coast and Phillip Island Bus directly:  

Phone: 03 5952 2500

Website: South Coast Bus

Option 2:

Bus from Southern Cross Station to Koo Wee Rup + bus from Koo Wee Rup to Cowes (Phillip Island) 

Another public transport option for your Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne is to head to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne CBD and catch the regional coach to Leongatha from there. Ride this for 1 hour to the Koo Wee Rup bus interchange. Change buses here and catch the regional coach to Cowes. The bus stops at Grantville, Corinella, Bass, San Remo, Newhaven and Cowes, and operates daily. It is a 1.5-hour bus ride from the Koo Wee Rup bus interchange to Cowes. 

If you need some help planning your transit route, you can reach out to VLine Coach and Transit Victoria directly or use the Public Transit Victoria journey planner. 

Phone: 1800 800 007

Website: Public Transport Victoria 

Option 3:

Ferry that runs between Stony Point (Mornington Peninsula), Tankerton (French Island) and Cowes (Phillip Island)

If you’re travelling to Phillip Island from the Mornington Peninsula, the best public transport option for your Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne is Westernport Ferries. Catch the VLine train to Stony Point station, exit the train and board the passenger ferry to Cowes on Phillip Island. 

Tickets are AUD 13 one way for adults. Although the ferry journey is quite short (45 minutes from Stony Point to Phillip Island, with a stop in Tankerton), the frequency of ferries depends on the day (weekday vs weekend) and time of year (peak season vs off-season). It is best to check the website before confirming your trip. 

If you need help planning your trip, reach out to Westernport Ferries directly: 

Phone: 03 5257 4565

Website: Westernport Ferries 

How to Get Around

Car

The easiest way to explore Phillip Island is by car. If you have your own car or have rented one, you can rest assured travelling around the island will be easy. All of the towns and tourist attractions are clearly marked along Phillip Island Road, the main road that cuts down the middle of the island. It’s really quite hard to get lost since you will eventually reach the water regardless of which direction you drive. 

Taxi

If you don’t have a car available to you, there are a few other options for transport: 1) Public transport (South Coast Bus and Phillip Island Bus), and 2) Taxi (Phillip Island Taxis and South Coast Taxis). 

Private Tour

If private tours are more your style, there are many different tour companies available to choose from. Visit Phillip Island recommends Phillip Island Drivers & Tours and Dianne’s Venture Tours.

Cycling

Another great way to get around the island is cycling. If you have your own bike, then cycling around Phillip Island will be a fun and free activity for you to enjoy. There are plenty of cycling paths that are well-marked and maintained. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent a bicycle from Island Bike Hire in Cowes. The day rate is $60/day. Island Bike Hire offers free delivery outside of Cowes for bookings of 24 hours or longer. 

Where to Stay 

When planning your Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne, you may not need to think about accommodation if you’re driving there and back in one day. But if weekend getaways are more your thing, there is a range of accommodation options to choose from on Phillip Island. I will focus more on the budget-friendly options: hostels, caravan parks, glamping and Airbnb.  

Hostels

Currently, there is only one hostel on Phillip Island, in the town of Newhaven. Phillip Island YHA is an environmentally-friendly backpacker hostel with stylish, modern vibes. Guest facilities include a lounge, kitchen area, free WiFi, large balconies and a rooftop deck. Dorm beds range from $32-AUD 42 per night and can be booked online. 

Caravan Parks

There are many caravan parks located on Phillip Island. Before picking one, decide which town you want to be closest to on the island, as this will help you decide which caravan park is best! 

There are caravan parks in Cowes, Ventnor and Newhaven. Cowes and Ventnor are located on the north side of the island, while Newhaven is located on the east side of the island, close to the Phillip Island bridge. If you’re still unsure, check out the full list of Holiday/Caravan Parks on Phillip Island. 

If you’re looking to stay in San Remo, check out my article, “Top 10 Things to Do in San Remo, Victoria” for the best Holiday/Caravan parks. 

Glamping

Glamping is another great accommodation option on Phillip Island if you are looking for a bit of luxury without breaking the bank. There are two glamping options available: Phillip Island Glamping and The Sheltered Glamping Co.  

Prices vary depending on the size of the glamping tent, so check the websites for pricing and availability. These glamping sites sell out extremely fast in the summer, so book early!

Airbnb

And of course, there are plenty of Airbnbs all over Phillip Island, ranging in price, privacy and availability. Check out some of the amazing holiday homes available through Airbnb in places like Cape Woolamai, Surf Beach and Cowes. 

Where to Eat 

Any Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without delicious food! See below for some awesome restaurant recos!

The Cape Kitchen ($$)

If you’re looking for an authentic Phillip Island experience, look no further than The Cape Kitchen! They offer delicious, locally-sourced food with unbeatable ocean views. They offer three menus (breakfast, lunch and dessert) made entirely with fresh products right from Victoria, Australia (how cool, right?). 

I visited for Sunday Brunch and ordered the Eggs Royal (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, and totally worth the extra $$. 

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 have THE BEST fresh steak and seafood on Phillip Island. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, top-quality Australian beef and fresh seafood sourced from Bass Coast, Victoria (including Phillip Island). The bar offers 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 have 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 recos but honestly, there are so many delicious things on their menu, I want to eat all of it!  

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 or by phone (03 5956 7000).  

What to Do

The best part about planning a Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne is the activities! There are SO MANY fun things to see and do on Phillip Island, including nature walks, beautiful beaches and wildlife encounters such as the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Centre. There are also some really fascinating hidden gems and points of interest to discover off the beaten path on Phillip Island (think shipwreck and caves) if you’re up for an adventure! 

The tourism industry has really grown over the last 5 years and has funnelled a lot of money back into conservation efforts, keeping Phillip Island’s plants and animals alive and well despite the higher numbers of tourists. Check out my Phillip Island Activity Guide for outdoor activity inspo or keep reading for a taste of what Phillip Island has to offer.

Experience Aussie wildlife

Penguin Parade 

The Penguin Parade is Phillip Island’s most popular activity. Never seen a penguin before? I hadn’t either, before visiting the Penguin Parade. Let me tell you, it’s totally worth the hype. 

The Penguin Parade is a completely natural phenomenon that you can see every night at sunset. The world’s smallest penguins (Fairy Penguins) return to the shores of Summerland Beach each evening and “march” from the beach, up the rocks and sand dunes, to their nests within the tall grass. 

These guys really are SMALL! Like smaller than the seagulls that were walking along the shore with them. And they are super cute, waddling along and falling all over themselves and one another. It’s hard not to fall in love with these little guys. 

The procession of penguins lasts for about an hour. The best part of the whole experience, in my opinion, was walking alongside the penguins, via wooden boardwalks, as they made their way up from the shoreline, through the sand dunes and tall grasses, to their nests. 

Adult tickets cost AUD 27.25 for general viewing. Buy tickets for the Penguin Parade through the Phillip Island Nature Parks website. Due to covid, online bookings are required and Penguin Parade pre-bookings are mandatory. 

ALSO NOTE: start and end times of the Penguin Parade vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to check out the Penguin Arrival Calendar before your visit, to avoid disappointment. 

Koala Conservation Centre

Although the Penguin Parade is absolutely adorable to see, my personal favourite wildlife experience on Phillip Island is the koala at the Koala Conservation Centre. If you’re a tourist (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 (koala selfie anyone?). 

The best part of the Koala Conservation Centre is the 2 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). 

I actually learned a lot about these little guys from the park ranger (who was super helpful and happy to answer my ridiculous questions) and the little plaques and signs I found posted throughout the boardwalks. I learned that they rarely fall out of the trees (which is quite fascinating to me because Victoria winters are VERY windy) and that they are never on the ground, except to crawl from one tree to another. Every other activity (eating, sleeping, mating, pooping, etc) happens while they’re up in trees! 

If you’d like to see the koalas for yourself, tickets cost $13.50 for one adult and can be purchased on the Phillip Island Nature Parks website. Due to covid, online bookings are required before visiting the Koala Conservation Centre. 

Sea Lions Eco Cruise 

A really great way to experience seals in their natural habitat is by taking an eco-cruise from Cowes Jetty to the Nobbies. Australia’s largest fur seal colony loves to hang out on rocks ~2km offshore and is best seen by boat. On an average day, you will find ~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! If you’re lucky, you might see dolphins playing in the waves around the rocky shoreline.  

The sea lion eco-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 and view the cruise schedule. 

Enjoy peaceful nature walks

Cape Woolamai Circuit Track (The Pinnacles and Beacon Lighthouse) 

If you only have time to do one walk on Phillip Island, make it 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 several variations of this walk that can be done, depending on your fitness and the amount of time you have. If you can, I suggest doing the full circuit which is about 8km long and takes about 4 hours to complete. 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, you can do the shorter loop (4.5km return) by following the green markers to The Pinnacles and back to the car park. This takes about 1.5 hours.  

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. If you are short on time, you can drive to Pyramid Rock Lookout car park and from there walk directly to the Pyramid Rock viewing platform. This walk is about 300m each way, or 600m return, and takes 5-10 minutes. 

But if you can, I recommend leaving your car in the car park and completing 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 and they are the perfect place to stop, rest 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 wild bushland on Phillip Island. If you venture off early in the morning, you have a high 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 around 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 are looking for an even longer walk. If you are looking for something shorter, there are two tracks in the Oswin Roberts Reserve that can be done in less than an hour. 

Swan Lake Trail 

A super short walk with lots of wildlife, Swan Lake Trail is for anyone looking to connect with nature without dedicating hours to walking around in the bush. 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! 

Visit beautiful beaches

If you’d rather walk along the beach than through the bush, don’t worry, I got you! Phillip Island has many beautiful beaches to choose from. If you’re looking to surf, swim, bodyboard, SUP, or relax and catch a tan, Phillip Island has something for you!

Phillip Island- 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. It is the PERFECT spot for SUP adventures and kayaking in the bay. 

Phillip Island- 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 Summerland Beach. These beaches tend to have higher waves and challenging currents, so if you’re looking to play in the waves, keep an eye on the tide (safety first)! It is almost always windy along these beaches so be prepared for that as well. 

Phillip Island- 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 (think awesome sunset photos). Cowes Beach is accessible directly from the town of Cowes, making it easy to explore and admire 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. 

Go surfing

Best Surf Beaches

Phillip Island is a surfer’s paradise and it is a well-known surf spot in Victoria. 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 a hood and booties), but I admit, I was never brave enough to surf in the winter. 

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. If you’re at Smiths Beach or YCW Beach, definitely check them out. 

Get off the beaten path

If you love getting off the beaten path, I have discovered some very cool (and somewhat lesser-known) points of interest on Phillip Island that I want to share with you! Most of them are naturally-occurring rock formations created by erosion and changing tides over many, many years. These natural wonders are best seen at LOW TIDE.

Be sure to check tides for Phillip Island before setting off to avoid disappointment. 

The Colonnades

The Colonnades are naturally-occurring rock formations formed by cooling lava many years ago. The basalt columns run up and down the cliff face between Anzacs Beach (to the east) and Surf Beach (to the west). They are best seen from the beach at low tide. The Colonnades have been nicknamed “organ pipes” because of their shape (they look like the tall stacks of an organ) and range in size from very narrow columns to very wide ones. The columns take on the reddish colour of the earth, and look almost golden in the sunlight, making for beautiful pictures. 

To reach The Colonnades 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 of the crashing waves against the red rocks 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. The reddish colour of the rock is especially stunning in the sunlight and makes for an epic contrast with the turquoise water. 

To reach Forrest Caves from Phillip Island Road, follow signs for Surf Beach. Turn left onto the small dirt side road immediately before the ‘Surf Beach’ sign. Feel free to use this map as a guide to avoid getting lost. And be sure to double-check the tides at Surf Beach before setting off, as the caves are only worth visiting when the tide is low. 

Magiclands

I only recently discovered Magiclands after doing some research on the best photography spots on Phillip Island. This stunning spot does NOT disappoint! Magiclands is a section of rugged coastline covered in bright green sea moss, just south of Woolamai Beach. 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, depending on how much sand has been deposited or removed by storms/high winds. 

To see Magiclands for yourself, 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 reach SS Speke Shipwreck, park in the Kitty Miller Bay car park 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 also an EPIC photography spot. The Pinnacles is a large reddish rock formation just past Cape Woolamai Surf Beach. To get there, follow the green markers along the walking track from the car park to The Pinnacles viewing platform. 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, if you get the timing right! Check the sunrise and sunset times before setting off. 

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, 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 it 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 blue ocean stretching out in all directions. I personally loved this part but if you’re at all afraid of heights, give this one a miss!

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 from there. 

Rock up at sunrise or sunset for amazing photos. And bring a jacket- it is incredibly windy!

When to Visit

I honestly feel that Phillip Island is one of those places that can be enjoyed all year round. A Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne is a great way to get back to nature, regardless of the season. That being said, if you are visiting in the summer months be prepared for LOTS of people at the beaches, on the trails, in the pubs… Pretty much everywhere. If you are visiting in the off-season, bring a good rain jacket (the weather changes very quickly and it can go from hot and sunny to raining and windy in less than 20 minutes). 

Thanks so much for reading my blog post! Phillip Island is one of my favourite places in Victoria and I am so grateful for the chance to share my recos and experiences with you. If you do a Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne, definitely leave me a comment and tell me about your visit. If you have questions or think I missed something, don’t be shy. Thanks friends 🙂