Just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is not only home to the world famous Penguin Parade but also features breathtaking natural beauty and a myriad of visitor attractions.
Phillip Island Nature Park, where each evening the resident ‘Little Penguins’ make their way from the sea to their burrows at Summerland Beach. It is an experience not to be missed!
Phillip Island is also home to a wide range of wildlife. Koalas can easily from the treetop boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Centre. At the western tip of the island is Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest colony of seals. The Cape Woolamai golden sand dunes are the breeding the mutton birds (or short-tailed Shearwaters).
Cape Woolamai is a wonderful spot for a coastal walk, with ocean view and native wildlife, while many of the beaches are popular surfing spots. Historic Churchill Island has a number of interesting walks, an abundance of wildlife and the historic homestead.
To get to Phillip Island from Melbourne take the Princes Highway past Cranbourne and the small fishing villages of Tooradin and Koo Wee Rup, then continue the South Gippsland Freeway on to the Bass Highway.
Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP)
The new Nobbies Centre, on the island’s west coast, lets visitors get up close to one of Australia’s largest populations of fur seals. Using state-of-the-art Defence technology, the centre's underwater cameras can zoom in on thousands of seals, who sunbake on a rocky islet 2km offshore.
You can also see other sea creatures such as sharks and dolphins and learn about the unique marine environment via interactive displays. Entry to the centre is free. For the group market, PINP has new half-day eco tours, led by experienced rangers.
Choose from the Wildlife Tour; Twitchers Tour; Island Heritage & Wildlife Tour; or Ranger For a Day, where visitors go behind the scenes. The newest viewing option at the Penguin Parade is the Private Penguin Parade Experience, where you can sit front row and learn about the creatures from your ranger guide.
PINP also administers the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
Wildlife Coast Cruises
You will find one of Australia’s largest colonies of fur seals on a thrilling eco cruise along the coastline of Phillip Island. Dolphins are also spotted occasionally, and in June you can glimpse Humpback and Southern Right Whales.
A new one-hour Extreme Seal Rocks Eco Tour is perfect for the thrill-seeker, combining swell jumping and RIB surfing with nature viewing. And from November to March a new 4.15pm Seal Cruise will have an International marine biologist on board to educate passengers.
Also new is Burn Water Run on Western Port Bay, a 20 minute high-adrenalin joyride that includes wave jumping, flying along beaches and lots of splash.
All Seasons Eco Resort
This Accor eco resort is the first of its kind on the island and provides the perfect base for travellers who want to combine quality and comfort with environmental sensitivity. The resort has a mix of accommodation including self contained studio spas as well as two and three bedroom villas.
Resort facilities include a café, swimming pool, tennis courts, health club with gym, spa and sauna and a kids club.
All villas have a five-star eco rating, and use renewable or recyclable materials and passive energy design. Wetlands areas are being established and a large woodland gum area has been incorporated into the plans.
Phillip Island Vineyard and Winery
Multi award winning wines for tasting and sale at the island’s first and only vineyard, winery and cellar door. Enjoy a glass or bottle with light food platters while relaxing by the fire, in the sunroom or the courtyard and delight in the stunning ocean and vineyard views that surround. Dining: Simple, delicious light food platters (cheese, paté, and trout) to complement the wines. Cellar door sales: 11am - 7pm November - March, 11am - 5pm April - October.
Only a short distance away from Melbourne, you will find other delightful places to visit in the Victoria Wine Regions of Yarra Valley, Dandenongs, Macedon Ranges, High Country, Gippsland and the Murray.
