Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a large island at the mouth of Western Port Bay, less than two hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria. Because of its proximity to the state capital, it's a popular weekend tourist destination, especially during the summer months. The island is separated from the mainland by just a channel and is connected by a bridge. It is part of the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland.

Understand
Cowes is the main town on the island, and in addition there are other smaller towns such as Rhyll, Cape Woolamai, Ventnor (closest town to the Penguin Parade) and Newhaven. The principal source of income is tourism, and there are many cafes, restaurants, etc., to cater to the appetites of the tourists.

The island is steeped in motorsport history. Australia's first ever international Grand Prix was held in 1924 on the original circuit comprising the still existing roads on Phillip Island. The annual Australian Grand Prix, an official round of the World MotoGP plus a round of the World Superbike (WBSK) is held at the 1950s purpose-built Motor Racing Circuit, and draws a massive contingent of motor sport fans (colloquially known as "petrolheads") every year.

Get in
There are a multitude of ways to reach the Island.

By car
The journey from the Melbourne City Centre to Cowes is just over 140 km and takes about 2 hours (it can take up to 3 hours during major events such as the Grand Prix). The main route is down the Monash Freeway towards Warragul, turning off at the South Gippsland Freeway (M420), South Gippsland Highway (M420) and Bass Highway (M420/B420) and following the signs. Phillip Island is connected by a two-lane bridge to the small fishing town of San Remo on the mainland.

By bus
V/Line runs public coaches from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne's CBD to Cowes and Inverloch via Dandenong & Koo Wee Rup. You will need to catch the coach towards Yarram in the state's east, alighting at the town of Koo Wee Rup. From there, you can transfer to another coach towards Cowes. The buses are timetabled to connect, so there should only be a 5- to 10-minute wait at Koo Wee Rup. There are 8 departures daily on weekdays, with 4 departures daily on weekends. The trip should take no more than 2½ hours. You can plan your journey at Public Transport Victoria.

By tour
A range of companies offer tours of Phillip Island if you don't want to self drive. These typically include the Penguin Parade and a range of other wildlife experiences. Grayline, APT and AAT Kings all offer 'Big Bus' tours down to the island daily, whilst Posh Penguins offers private and smaller group tours down to Phillip Island.

By ferry
If you're after a more scenic journey, a ferry departs from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula to Cowes daily.
 * From Flinders Street Station, take a metro train to Frankston
 * Transfer to a diesel train at Frankston station, alighting at the last stop, Stony Point.
 * Board the ferry at the Stony Point Wharf, adjacent to the station, towards

In total, the journey should take about 2½ hours, the same as the bus. However, you will need to pay for a ferry ticket on top of a Zone 1+2 Myki fare. The ferry departs weekdays to Phillip Island between 7:10AM and 7:25PM, on weekends ferries run less frequently. For timetabling and costs, see Western Port Ferries.

Get around
Phillip Island is not a small island. Walking from Newhaven to the Nobbies, on opposite ends of the island, would take upwards of 5 hours. Such large distances generally require a car to get around. The island's main road is Phillip Island Road, running from the bridge near Newhaven to Cowes. The turn-off to the left near Sunset Strip onto Back Beach Road provides the direct route to the Penguin Parade and the Nobbies. Most rural roads on the island have a speed limit of 80 km/h, although be wary of wildlife such as kangaroos which are known to wander onto the road.

The island has very little in the way of a public transport network. The Cowes Line bus runs six times each way weekdays, and four times on weekends; it travels between Cowes and Wonthaggi, via Anderson and San Remo along Phillip Island Road. The V/Line bus to Melbourne also follows the same route from Anderson, and can be used for making short hops along the island. Tickets can be purchased on-board both buses. There is no public bus service to the Penguin Parade, Rhyll, the Grand Prix Circuit or the Nobbies.

Phillip Island Designated Driver operates an on-demand transfer service around the island, including to destinations such as the Penguin Parade. Booking required, and a deposit must be paid in advance.

See




Do




Beaches



 * Cape Woolamai. There are several loops of walking tracks of various lengths. Doing all the walks might take up to 3 hours. Most of the cape is a huge mutton-bird or shearwater colony and the birds’ burrows are everywhere. There are few trees in much of the area but there is a section of regenerating bush. The first part of the walks is along the beach, starting near the lifesaving club.
 * Beaches. There are a large number of beaches (both sheltered beaches on the inland side and surf beaches on the ocean side of the island)
 * Scuba Diving. Phillip Island is home to some of the most spectacular scuba diving destinations in Victoria.

Sleep
There are many and varied accommodation options available for the visitor to Phillip Island. These range from hostel accommodation, caravan parks, motels to "bed and breakfast" and private short-term holiday home rental.



Stay safe
Avoid the gravel/unpaved roads at night unless you want to be hit by a roo going 80 km/h. If you absolutely have to, slow down to 60, and don't go 80.

Connect
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all have coverage in at least the towns. But going out of the towns may be a bit and miss for Optus and Vodafone, but not a problem for Telstra.

Go next

 * French Island - Take the ferry to French Island.
 * Wilsons Prom is not too far away and is also the southern most point of the Australian continent.