Phillip Island, located just a short drive from Melbourne, is a true gem of Victoria's coastline. This picturesque island is famous for its stunning natural scenery, wildlife encounters, and fascinating history, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler to Australia. From the world-renowned Penguin Parade to the rugged coastal landscapes and quaint seaside towns, Phillip Island offers a wealth of attractions and activities to suit any taste. Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, this island paradise is sure to captivate your heart and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
In a rush? Download our itinerary for FREE to view it from your mailbox later!
Getting there
There are several ways to get to Phillip Island from Melbourne. The easiest way is to drive, which takes about 90 minutes from Melbourne's central business district.
Another popular option is to take a coach tour, which typically includes transportation to and from Phillip Island as well as admission to some of the island's top attractions. Additionally, there is a public bus service that operates between Melbourne and Phillip Island. Lastly, if you're looking for a more unique experience, you can also take a helicopter or seaplane from Melbourne to Phillip Island, offering stunning views of the coastline during your journey.
This post provides you with an itinerary for a day visit to Phillip Island to get a taste of what this beautiful place has to offer its visitors!
Stop #1: The Big Wave
Our first stop for the day was The Big Wave, one of The Big Things of Australia, sitting at the entrance of Phillip Island. Australia is home to many big things! The Big Things is a set of about 150 oversized structures sprinkled across the nation, which serve as some of the country’s top tourist attractions. These can be found along major highways and between popular destinations. As you could see from our other posts, we are a huge fan of these Big Things as they are not only popular tourist attractions but also are great rest stops when you are on long road trips.
Stops #2 & #3: Phillip Island Visitor Centre & Chocolate Factory
We then headed to Phillip Island Visitor Centre. The Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre provides maps and tickets for all major attractions and the knowledgeable and friendly staff were so helpful, answering all the questions we had!
The building diagonally opposite to the Visitor Centre is the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. Standing outside the Philip Island Chocolate Factory are The Big Cows that have become an iconic landmark for the chocolate factory.
The Chocolate Factory itself is a popular tourist attraction in the island and is known for its delicious chocolates and sweets. The factory offers guided tours, during which visitors can firsthand observe the chocolate-making process! Apart from the tour, the factory also has a retail shop where visitors can purchase a wide variety of chocolates & sweets and the shop also offers a range of chocolate-related souvenirs, gifts, and merchandise. More information about the tour can be found in their website.
Stop #4: A Maze'N Things
Our next stop was A Maze’N Things.
Sitting atop the entrance, the floating Big Tap immediately catches your eyes and this excellent optical illusion sets the stage as to what you should expect inside A Maze’N Things!
A Maze’N Things is an exciting world of illusions, puzzles, and mazes that will keep the kids and adults entertained for hours. We were quite amazed with the illusions and magic showcased throughout the venue and thoroughly enjoyed visiting this fantastic place! The experiences with the giant LookOut Slide and Mirror Maze were quite memorable! More information about your visit including tickets and timing can be found on their website.
Stop #5: The Big Koala
The next door to A Maze’N Things is where The Big Koala resides!
Stop #6: Nobbies Centre
We then headed to the Nobbies Centre located on the western tip of Phillip Island.
Overlooking the Bass Strait, the Nobbies offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and Bass Strait. We explored the winding boardwalks and even spotted a few Little Penguins in their burrows! The views of Nobbies rock formations and Seal Rocks (home of Australia's largest fur seal colony) were spectacular!
|
|
Stops #7 & #8: Southpoint Lookout and South Coast Lookout
It was then time to head for the Penguin Parade and we took the unsealed road (map provided below) from the Nobbies Centre to visit the Southpoint Lookout and the South Coast Lookout before reaching the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.
|
|
Last Stop: Penguin Parade
The nightly parade of little penguins is a must-see for visitors to Phillip Island. The penguins come ashore after a long day at sea and make their way back to their burrows, often putting on a show for onlookers. There are several viewing options available, including a general viewing area, premium viewing platforms, and ranger-led tours.
We did the Family Wildlife Tour and thoroughly enjoyed the educational tour as well as watching the Little penguins come back to their homes shortly after sunset! While you might be so tempted to use your cameras to capture these cute little creatures, a request from us is that you please do NOT do so in the dark as the flashlight in our cameras disturb the penguins significantly! Instead, please live the moment watching them walk to their homes and carry that experience with you! Summerlands Beach itself was a spectacular sight during sunset. More information about the Penguin Parade tours and their pricing can be found on their website.
|
|
Here’re few other famous attractions in the region for you to explore, if you have got more time:
- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit: This world-class racetrack is a must-visit destination for motorsports enthusiasts. In addition to hosting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the circuit also offers a range of driving experiences, including hot laps in a race car, go-karting, and even the chance to drive your own car around the circuit.
- Seal Rocks: This group of rocky outcrops just off the coast of Phillip Island is home to a large colony of Australian fur seals. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the seals up close or view them from the nearby lookout.
- Koala Conservation Centre: This nature reserve is home to a population of wild koalas, as well as various other Australian wildlife such as wallabies, echidnas, and birds. Visitors can take a treetop boardwalk tour to get a closer look at the koalas in their natural habitat.
- Churchill Island: Located just off the coast of Phillip Island, this island is a picturesque destination that offers visitors stunning views of Western Port Bay and the surrounding countryside. The island is steeped in history, with a rich Aboriginal heritage and a fascinating past as a working farm. Today, visitors can explore the island's scenic walking trails, visit the heritage buildings, and enjoy a range of family-friendly activities such as picnicking and birdwatching.
- Phillip Island Wildlife Park: This family-friendly attraction is home to a wide variety of Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, wombats, and reptiles. Visitors can hand-feed the kangaroos and wallabies, take a guided wildlife tour, or watch the daily reptile show.
- Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm: This farm offers visitors the chance to catch their own trout and learn about the use of native Australian plants as food and medicine. The farm also has a restaurant that serves up delicious dishes made with fresh local produce.
Our Itinerary
|
Download our itinerary for FREE! |
SHARE THIS POST
Love our itinerary? Excited to visit Phillip Island? Book your accommodation via Booking.com below at cheaper prices!
If you have an exciting itinerary that you’d like to be hosted in the Guests’ Itineraries section of our website, please contact us at [email protected] and we are super excited to collaborate with you on the same.
This post may contain affiliate links which means that at zero additional cost for you, we will earn a small commission if you decide to buy something via the links provided. This helps us in running our website. Thank you!
This post may contain affiliate links which means that at zero additional cost for you, we will earn a small commission if you decide to buy something via the links provided. This helps us in running our website. Thank you!