Your guide to Phillip Island

Penguins, beaches, wildlife, and coastal walks — all within easy reach of Cowes. Official tourism site ↗

Wildlife

Australia's best wildlife, right on your doorstep

Few places in Australia make it this easy to see iconic wildlife in genuinely wild settings. From the Penguin Parade to coastal wildlife encounters and just 10 minutes from koalas, Phillip Island puts some of the country's most memorable nature experiences within easy reach.

12 km from Cowes

Penguin Parade

Every evening at Summerland Beach, the world's smallest penguins waddle ashore in their hundreds after a day's fishing at sea. The Penguin Parade is Phillip Island's headline attraction and genuinely one of nature's most charming spectacles. Book your viewing spot in advance — the grandstand fills quickly, especially in peak season. Ranger-guided tours offer a more intimate experience away from the crowds.

Book online ahead of time and arrive 30 minutes before sunset. Bring a warm layer — even on mild evenings it gets cool by the water.

5 km from Cowes

Koala Conservation Reserve

One of the most accessible places in Australia to see koalas in the wild, the Koala Conservation Reserve features a series of elevated boardwalks that wind through native bushland. Koalas tend to sleep for up to 20 hours a day, so they're usually easy to spot resting in the forks of eucalyptus trees. Dawn and dusk are the best times to see them more active.

Morning visits offer the best chance of seeing koalas awake and moving. Look up — they blend in brilliantly against the bark.

Departures from Rhyll or San Remo

Phillip Island Whale Watching

Between late autumn and early spring, whale watching around Phillip Island can be a real highlight. Tour operators run cruises into Bass Strait and along the island's dramatic coastline, where migrating humpback whales and southern right whales are sometimes seen breaching, tail-slapping, or travelling with calves.

Check the season before booking and pick a calmer-weather day if you can. Bring a warm jacket — it feels much colder out on the water than it does on shore.

Beaches

From calm bay beaches to scenic ocean shores

Phillip Island has beaches for every mood — protected bay water for families and paddlers, and exposed ocean surf for those who want something wilder. Most are within a short drive of Cowes.

10 min walk

Cowes Beach & Foreshore

Cowes Beach faces the protected waters of Western Port Bay, making it one of the calmest and safest swimming beaches in Victoria. The foreshore is lined with cafes, the town jetty, and a lovely walking path that stretches in both directions. It's ideal for families with small children, kayakers, paddleboarders, and anyone who simply wants to sit with a coffee and watch the boats.

The western end of the beach near the jetty is great for snorkelling at low tide. Kayaks and paddleboards are available elsewhere on the island if you want to get out on the water.

10 min drive

Smiths Beach

Smiths Beach is one of Phillip Island's best-known ocean beaches, popular with surfers, beach walkers, and anyone chasing a wide-open coastal view. It feels very different to sheltered Cowes Beach, with bigger swell, rolling waves, and a more rugged natural setting. On calmer days it's a beautiful place to swim, relax on the sand, or watch the sun go down over Bass Strait.

Check surf and swimming conditions before heading in, especially with kids. It's a great spot for a beach walk even if you stay out of the water.

Food & Drink

Eat and drink your way around Phillip Island

From waterfront cafes in Cowes to wineries, breweries, and seafood spots dotted across the island — there's plenty to work into your stay. Official Eat & Drink guide ↗

Cafes & takeaways

Coffee stops, easy lunches, and relaxed bite-sized options spread across the island and foreshore.

G'Day Tiger and Waterboy are both within easy walking distance of the property and are two of the best in Cowes.

Seafood & produce

Fresh seafood shapes the local food culture, with nearby farmland adding seasonal produce, dairy, and meat.

Bass Strait Direct in Newhaven is the go-to for the freshest local seafood — a short drive, or stop in on your way to Cowes.

Wineries & breweries

Mix casual dining with cellar doors and craft beer stops — Phillip Island Winery is right on the island with an outstanding restaurant.

Phillip Island Winery does a brilliant sit-down lunch — book ahead, especially on weekends.

Markets & local produce

Farm gates, neighbourhood food shops, and seasonal markets are a good way to taste what the region grows.

Check what's on during your stay — markets vary by season and weekend.

Outdoors

Hike, explore, and take in the scenery

The Nobbies & Fur Seal Colony

14 km from Cowes

Dramatic coastal boardwalks with sweeping ocean views and one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies visible offshore.

Go on a clear day for the best views. Combine with a Penguin Parade visit in the evening — they're just a few minutes apart.

Phillip Island Circuit

11 km from Cowes

Home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix — visit the museum, take a pit lane tour, or catch a race meeting.

Check the circuit calendar before you visit. Race weekends sell out fast — but if you score tickets, the atmosphere is incredible.

Rhyll Inlet & Wetlands

10 km from Cowes

A peaceful tidal inlet and nature reserve teeming with birdlife — beautiful for morning walks and photography.

Bring binoculars if you have them. This is one of the quietest and most underrated spots on the island — go early.

Sample itineraries

Make the most of your stay

Two sample weekend plans to help you visualise the trip — adapt them however you like.

Couples Weekend Escape

2 days of coastal romance and relaxation

Day 1

Arrive, Explore & Unwind

Settle in and take a stroll to Cowes beach for a swim or a sunset walk
Explore the Cowes foreshore and choose a favourite restaurant for dinner
Watch the lights come on across Western Port Bay with a glass of wine

Day 2

Wildlife & Coast

Morning coffee at a local café, then drive to the Nobbies for coastal walks
Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve in the afternoon
End with the Penguin Parade at dusk — unforgettable

Family Weekend on the Island

2 days of beaches, wildlife and island adventures

Day 1

Beach Day & Cowes Town

Morning swim at Cowes Beach — calm, safe, and about ten minutes' walk away
Fish and chips on the jetty for lunch
Explore the town shops, grab ice cream, and relax in the BBQ courtyard for dinner

Day 2

Wildlife & Wonder

Koala Conservation Reserve boardwalk in the morning
Lunch at a family-friendly Cowes restaurant
Afternoon at the Nobbies to spot fur seals offshore
End with the Penguin Parade — kids will talk about it for years

Book Experiences

Tours & day experiences

Browse live tours, tickets, and local experiences to add to your stay.

Plan the trip. Book the stay.

Everything Phillip Island has to offer, right on your doorstep.

Check availability