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Full-day tour
Half-day tour
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Whether you want wildlife, illusions or simply fun, Phillip Island has an attraction for it all. Here are some of its biggest attractions:
- Seal Rocks
- Penguin Parade
- Koala Conservation Reserve
- Churchill Island
- Nobbies Centre
- Chocolate Factory
- A Maze’n Things
Ideal for: Budget travelers, very short on time
Price range: AU$32 to AU$85
Recommended experiences:
Ideal for: Mid-range budget, flexible itinerary
Price range: AU$54.50 to AU$112
Recommended experiences:
Ideal for: Guided tours, long durations
Price range: AU$155 to AU$210
Recommended experiences:
Ideal for: Multiple attractions, flexible durations
Price range: AU$175 to AU$216
Recommended experiences:
Tour durations: The duration of your tour usually depends on the type of tour you pick and the inclusions in your experience.
Penguin Parade timings: The penguins arrive at different times throughout the year. Here’s what you can expect in each season.
The summer months (Dec to Feb) is the peak tourist season at Phillip Island for the pleasantly warm weather and fewer showers. However, the attractions within the island tend to be packed with large crowds, so we suggest you start your day early.
Off-peak seasons like spring (Sep to Nov) and autumn (Mar to May) are also great times to visit Phillip Island. The weather isn’t too cold and the crowds are comparatively lesser. The spring allows you to spot budding trees and newborns in the wild. Keep a jacket with you just in case you come across a few stray cool breezes.
The autumn season is usually the least popular tourist season after winter, but the lesser crowds also means that you’re mostly going to have a very relaxing visit with very few other souls around. The Penguin Parade, however, tends to start quite late in the day, especially because of daylight savings. It can get quite chilly here at this time, so carry extra warm layers.
The best time to view the Penguin Parade doesn’t vary much from the best time to visit Phillip Island, however, their behaviors change throughout the year depending on their mating and raising of their young.
Summer season (Dec to Feb) is the peak tourist season and you’ll be able to spot adult Little Penguins feeding and caring for their fledglings. However, this time also tends to be quite crowded and you’ll have to arrive at least an hour before the start of the parade to make sure you get good viewing seats.
Spring season (Sep to Nov) and Autumn months (Mar to May) are also great times to view the penguins as the crowds are smaller and the weather isn’t too cold. Penguins lay their eggs during the spring and while the mother incubates the egg, the father hunts for food and cares for the mother. But if you want to spot some adorable penguin chicks, drop by during the autumn when they start to lose their baby feathers to gain their remarkable “Little Penguin” blue hue. But be sure to keep a jacket and some rain protection handy for sudden cool breezes and unforeseen showers.
As Phillip Island is about 142 km away from Melbourne, you’ll mostly have to resort to public transport if you don’t have your own vehicle. You can avoid the hassle of traveling back and forth from the island by simply booking a Melbourne to Phillip Island day tour.
All the Phillip Island tours that start from Melbourne include return transfers directly from your hotel. All you need to do is add the name and address of your hotel while making the booking and an expert guide will contact you on the day of your tour.
However, the Puffing Billy combo ticket has a designated pickup point at The Hotel Windsor on Spring Street at 10am.
We suggest that you arrive at the lobby of your hotel or at the pickup point about 10-15 minutes before the start of your tour to avoid any delays.
Address: Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.
Distance from Melbourne: 142 km
Travel time: approx. 90 minutes
By public transport
By bus: The V/Line coach is available every 4 hours from Melbourne to Cowes on Phillip Island and includes stops at Bass, Corinella, Grantville, New Haven and San Remo.
By car: From Melbourne CBD, head towards the Monash Freeway (M1) and take the Cranbourne exit onto the South Gippsland highway (M420). Continue on M420 until you reach Bass and then turn onto the Bass Highway (B420) that leads to San Remo and further into the island.
Parking: You can find plenty of parking space near any of the Nature Parks or other attractions on the island. There are also paid parking facilities all over the island to allow you to park your vehicle near whichever attraction you’re visiting.
You can find a variety of restaurants and eateries at Cowes on Phillip Island. There may also be cafes available at the attractions within Phillip Island.
Phillip Island RSL Sub Branch - Lone Pine Bistro: This veteran welfare center has a lovely little bistro that serves delicious steaks, mains and salads and also offers a senior discount.
La Porchetta Phillip Island: This Italian restaurant is famous for its pizzas. You can choose to have a half-and-half pizza with two types of toppings or even pick something from their pasta, salads and vegan options.
Anerie: This French restaurant is known for its gourmet flavors. Their onion soup, scotch filet steak and creme brulee are absolute must-tries!
Budget hotels: Golden Chain Quays Motel, North Pier Hotel, Bar, Bistro & Accommodation
Mid-range hotels: Phillip Island Towers, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island, Silverwater Resort
Luxury hotels: Marlin Beachfront, Smiths Beach, Oak Tree Lodge
Highlights: Largest colony of Little Penguins in Australia
Timings: Every day 4pm onward
Duration: up to 4 hours
Home to one of the largest colonies of penguins in Australia, the Penguin Parade is a spectacular sight adored by all. There is a penguin viewing area that offers a 180-degree elevated view for you to enjoy the penguin getting back home.
Highlights: Koala encounters, tree-top boardwalks
Timings: Every day 10am to 5pm
Duration: up to 1 hour
Nestled within the natural splendor of Phillip Island lies the remarkable Koala Conservation Reserve—a sanctuary dedicated to the preservation and protection of Australia's beloved koalas. Watch them go about their daily activities on a tree-top boardwalk and also spot many colorful native birds.
Highlights: Centre for farming since 1800s, family fun
Timings: Every day 10am to 4:30pm
Duration: up to 2.5 hours
Churchill Island stands as a testament to Australia's rich heritage and offers visitors a captivating journey through time. Explore the Churchill Island Heritage Farm, a working farm that showcases traditional farming practices and offers a range of interactive experiences.
Highlights: Award-winning theme park, adventure, family fun
Timings: Every day 10am to 5pm
Duration: up to 3 hours
With lots of awe-inspiring puzzles and contraptions within, A Maze’N Things offers a fun day out for all ages. Marvel at optical illusions, solve a puzzling maze, and if you’re daring, harness up for an obstacle course set 10 meters off the ground!
Highlights: Largest chocolate fountain in the world
Timings: Every day 10am to 5pm
Duration: up to 3 hours
A paradise for chocolate lovers, learn about how it’s made through fun workshops, demonstrations, and games. Enjoy an unlimited supply of chocolate samples, try to lift a one-ton block of chocolate with friends, and even take back some sweets from the shop.
Highlights: Beautiful beachfront views, accessible boardwalks
Timings: Every day 10am to 4pm
Duration: up to 1 hour
Escape the city and take a relaxing stroll on one of the winding boardwalks of the Nobbies Centre. Situated right next to the Penguin Parade, it gives you amazing views of the Bass Strait and the Seal Rocks. There is also a cafe in the vicinity where you can sip on some of their signature coffee and gaze out at the fur seals.
Highlights: World-famous grand prix circuit, go karting
Timings: Every day 9am to 6pm
Duration: up to 1 hour
Indulge the sports fan in you and try go karting at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix track. Go Karts, the company that offers go karting in a 750-meter replica track of the 4.5 km Grand Prix track. Choose between individual lap times, tandem laps or even family laps for those under age.
Highlights: Mini golf course, family fun
Timings: Every day 10am to 5pm
Duration: up to 2 hours
This mini golf course is situated out of the sun with 18 mini golf courses under the same roof. A perfect excuse to get under some shade, this mini golf course is great fun for people of all ages. You can also book the venue for group events and private functions.
The penguins on Phillip Island usually arrive after sunset. The flash of your camera can be quite sudden and disorienting to the penguins, which may agitate them or make them nervous about returning to the island. To ensure that the Little Penguins remain comfortable and protected, photography is strictly prohibited after sunset.
Most Phillip Island tours cover the most popular attractions within the island, which includes Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and Penguin Parade. If you wish to explore beyond these attractions, you may have to venture out by yourself.
There are several walking trails on the island that you can take for absolutely no cost. There is a Whale Discovery trail along the Bass strait that can help you spot the three types of whales that live around Phillip Island. You may also head to the Nobbies Centre and take a stroll on the boardwalks and you’ll be able to spot koalas, wallabies, colorful local birds, and if you’re lucky, some penguins too.
If you have a vehicle of your own, then we suggest that you drive down to the island by yourself as this is the best and the most convenient way to get to and around Phillip Island. We suggest renting a car, if it’s in your budget. If you don’t have your own vehicle, the most convenient way to get here is to take the V/Line bus from Melbourne to Cowes.
Phillip Island is a popular destination and bookings for tickets and accommodations usually run out a few days in advance, especially in the summer as it’s the peak tourist season. We suggest that you start planning your visit to Phillip Island at least a couple of weeks in advance to be able to get accommodation as well.
Phillip Island has much to explore and one day is usually not sufficient time to cover everything that the island has to offer. That being said, we suggest that you at least visit the 3 Nature Parks of the island, the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and the Penguin Parade. You will be able to cover these 3 attractions with relative ease within one day.
Getting around Phillip Island if you don’t have your own vehicle could be a little tricky as there is limited public transportation available within the island. South Coast bus operates a few buses on the island, but be sure to follow the schedule to ensure convenient traveling. You can also rent a bike and ride around the island at your own pace. Otherwise, we highly recommend avoiding this hassle entirely and booking a Melbourne to Phillip Island tour. They always include return transfers, usually from your hotel in Melbourne itself.
If you wish to travel to Phillip Island by train or ferry, you will unfortunately not be able to find a direct route from Melbourne. However, you can club both options and take a train from Melbourne to Stony Point and then catch a ferry from here to Cowes.
