Expore the Region

Beaches & Coastline

Discover sheltered bay beaches and wild surf beaches, blowholes, caves and unusual rock formations along Phillip Island's coastline. Designated a National Surfing Reserve in recognition of its surfing heritage and pristine environment, the island's diverse coastline boasts some of the best surf breaks in the state.

​A Beach For Everyone

Choose the beach to suit your needs on Phillip Island, with the island's northern side the place to go for sheltered bay beaches, while the south coast is the destination for wild surf beaches.

Let the kids splash and explore on family-friendly bay beaches at Cowes and Ventnor Beach, or surf one of Australia's best beach breaks at Cape Woolamai.

 

Wildlife Viewing

Phillip Island is a veritable wonderland of Australian native wildlife. Witness Phillip Island's little penguins on parade, watch seals fishing from the rocks, and spy koalas dozing up in the treetops.Make the pilgrimage to the Penguin Parade, a Phillip Island institution, and observe the little penguins as they emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach to their sand dune burrows. The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at Phillip Island Nature Park has a range of great activities and displays to help understand these icons of the island. Join a wildlife cruise to see the colony of 25,000 Australian fur seals at Seal Rocks, and spot koalas as you wander among the treetops at the Koala Conservation Centre. Count the wading birds in the wetlands at Rhyll Inlet or, if you're visiting in April/May, watch the annual shearwater migration from rugged bluffs at Cape Woolamai. Hear the kids squeal with delight as they hand-feed wallabies and kangaroos at the local wildlife park or catch the excitement of the midday pelican feeding at San Remo jetty.

 

Water Sports

Whether you're surfing or sailing, swimming, diving or kayaking, Phillip Island is an aquatic wonderland just waiting to be explored. Relax in sheltered bays, sail around Rhyll Inlet, or make your way along the rugged coastline discovering surf beaches and abundant marine life as you go. Head north to the peaceful bay beaches for a family afternoon of beach cricket and splashing about, or test your surf skills on the solid south-side swells of Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Summerland and Cat Bay. Due to the high quality breaks and pristine natural environment, the region was named a National Surfing Reserve, the only one in Victoria. For a fresh perspective on the island’s coastal landscapes, hit the waves in a kayak. Join a tour and take in the granite cliffs and caves of Cape Woolamai, paddle through the Rhyll Wetlands, or see Churchill Island from the water.

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Or opt for a truly wild experience on the water when you sign up to go flyboarding. Defy gravity as you shoot up into the air and soar high above the water with Cowes Beach laid out before you. Out on the open seas, a watery playground full of marine life awaits. Sail the blue waters and experience the awesome sight of whales breaching and fur seals hunting fish from gnarly rocks.

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There’s no shortage of adventures on offer for snorkellers and scuba divers. Explore the wreck of the T.S.S George Kermode and the vertical spires of The Pinnacles, or head off to popular snorkelling spots such as Cape Paterson, Bunurong Marine National Park and Kitty Miller Bay. The ocean is a big part of everyday life in and around Phillip Island so there are plenty of community events to take part in. Get amongst the action at surf clinics and join in local triathlons and biathlons like the San Remo Channel Challenge and the Cowes Classic.

 

Family Activities

The perfect holiday destination for those with kids in tow, Phillip Island boasts an endless array of things to see and do. Explore this island playground full of family attractions, friendly wildlife and natural wonders to create memories that will stay with you forever. Take a seat on the beach at sunset and experience the wonder of the famous Penguin Parade and then get close to koalas on a wander along the treetop boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Centre. Keep exploring the tranquil surrounds of the island with the family. Watch native birdlife in the Rhyll wetlands, see seals at play on a wildlife cruise and learn all about the world's most remote continent at Antarctic Journey. Head on down to the San Remo Fisherman's Co-op to take part in the pelican feeding, which occurs daily at 12 noon. Wander the coastline and discover sheltered bays, big surf breaks, rugged dunes and sandy beaches, perfect for a spot of beach cricket. Families with little ones will love Cowes Beach for its safe swimming environment and close proximity to cafes and other amenities. So get out there and surf, swim and paddle in the clear waters, or just laze about under the shade of a beach tent. Let the kids loose in mazes, mini-golf courses and go-kart tracks. Fly over the island in a helicopter, fish for trout, or indulge yourself on a visit to the chocolate factory. For high-energy thrills, time your visit to get amongst the roaring engines of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix or the V8 Supercars.

 

Little Penguins

Experience that electrifying moment as you spot the first little penguins emerging from the sea and waddling along a Phillip Island beach at dusk. The daily parade of little penguins draws thousands of visitors from around the globe every year. Line the observation boardwalks at Phillip Island Nature Park at dusk to see them race up Summerland Beach to their burrows. Bring warm clothing year-round, as the nights on the beach can be cool. Get even closer to the action at the Penguins Plus viewing platform with commentary from a ranger. Splash out on the VIP Skybox to see the Penguin Parade from the comfort of an elevated viewing tower, or visit a secluded beach to view the penguins with the latest night vision technology as part of the Ultimate Penguin Experience. Over 4,000 of the 32,000 little penguins living in the waters around Phillip Island have their burrows around Summerland Beach. Native to Australia and the smallest of their species at just 33 centimetres, the little penguins leave their burrows about an hour before sunrise and swim up to 100 kilometres each day before returning at dusk.

Motor Sports

Get swept up in the excitement when the world's best riders and drivers prove their mettle on the famed Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the home of international motorcycle and car racing championships. Every year thousands of motorcycling diehards descend on Phillip Island for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) and World Superbike Championships. Soak up the electric atmosphere, as grandstands light up against the stunning ocean backdrop. Make sure you're there when the V8 Supercars roar into town, and catch a range of historic and classic racing events, plus state and national level championships throughout the year. The original Phillip Island racetrack was the site of the first Australian Grand Prix back in 1928. The current track celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2012 and has hosted champion riders from across the world including Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Mick Doohan.

Delve into motoring history, take a tour of the control tower, and enjoy panoramic views of the track on a visit to the Phillip Island Circuit Visitors Centre. Thrill seekers might want to take three laps of the circuit with a professional racing car driver or go-kart around the replica track.

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