Phillip Island is a fantastic family destination just 90 minutes from Melbourne.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with turquoise water views, beautiful sandy beaches, amazing wildlife encounters and fun-filled family attractions. There’s a reason Phillip Island is a destination that’s top of the list for many local and international tourists.
The first thing to consider is booking your family the 4-Park Pass by Phillip Island Nature Parks which is great value and allows you to explore all sorts of native Australian wildlife.
Things to Do on Phillip Island
1. Phillip Island Penguin Parade
The one must-do attraction is the Penguin Parade.
For decades, every night little penguins return home at sunset to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. Check out the ‘Penguin Plus’ and ‘Underground Viewing’ options which provide better vantage points and more comfortable surroundings for viewing the penguins.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade, 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands
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2. Antarctic Journey at The Nobbies Centre
Antarctic Journey is the world’s first interactive Antarctic experience. The big drawcard is the augmented reality screen which allows you to appear as though you are patting a penguin, playing with a seal or within arm’s reach of a leaping whale.
WWF Antarctic Journey, The Nobbies Centre, 1320 Ventnor Road, Summerlands
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3. Cowes Beach
Cowes is the main town in Phillip Island and there are two beaches adjacent to the centre of Cowes: Mussel Rocks; and the main Cowes Beach, next to the ferry jetty.
Both beaches are relatively short, safe and calm.
4. A Maze’N Things
This fun family attraction has mini golf, puzzles, magical illusions, a high ropes course, a playground and cafe, plus Australia’s largest walk-through maze.
A Maze’N Things, 1805 Phillip Island Road, Cowes
5. Churchill Island Heritage Farm
A historic working farm where you can watch demonstrations of daily farming activities, enjoy a picnic in the historic grounds or have lunch at the cafe.
Churchill Island Heritage Farm, 246 Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island, Newhaven
6. See Koalas Up Close
Make the most of your 4 Parks Pass and visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve.
Stroll through the eucalypt woodland and come face-to-face with koalas in their natural habitat. The unique treetop boardwalks and close viewing areas offer the whole family exceptional koala viewing opportunities.
Koala Conservation Reserve, 1810 Phillip Island Road, Rhyll
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7. Wild Oceans Ecoboat Adventure Boat Tour
This high-speed tour of Phillip Island’s rugged and spectacular coastline is the only way to get up close to Phillip Island’s Australian fur seal colony. The water can be choppy and the boat bumps over the waves, so it’s not suitable for people who experience motion sickness or little kids (probably under 5s).
Wild Oceans EcoBoat tours depart from either Cowes jetty or Rhyll jetty, subject to tide and weather conditions.
8. Wildlife Cruising
Hop aboard Wildlife Coast Cruises for a one-hour Cape Woolamai Cruise, which departs the San Remo Jetty at 10.45 am.
Marvel at Cape Woolamai’s spectacular 110-metre-high ancient granite cliffs and cruise the aqua blue water in search of dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Wildlife Coast Cruises, 11 The Esplanade, Cowes
9. Maru Koala and Animal Park
Maru Koala and Animal Park is a great stop enroute or heading home from Phillip Island. This award-winning family run park has a range of native animals, an awesome mini-golf course and café.
Maru Koala and Animal Park, 1650 Bass Hwy, Grantville
10. Bushwalking
Phillip Island is known for it’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife, and with a range of bushwalking opportunities families can enjoy the island’s natural beauty at a leisurely pace.
Rhyll Inlet Nature Reserve features a boardwalk that meanders through 2 kilometres of mangroves and wetlands. It’s an easy walk for little ones and excellent place for birdwatching, especially during the migratory bird season.
Other stunning walking trails can be found at Cape Woolamai, Pyramid Rock and Churchill Island.
Remember to check the weather conditions before embarking on any bushwalk and be prepared with suitable clothing, water, and snacks. Some tracks may be closed during certain times of the year to protect nesting wildlife or during maintenance periods, so it’s a good idea to check for any updates or alerts before heading out.
Where To Eat And Drink On Phillip Island
11. Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Take the kids to the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and enjoy lunch at their onsite café. See all sorts of sweet cholate-y delights at Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate where the kids can make their own chocolate bar creation.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory 930 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven
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12. Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant & Bar
Home to Phillip Island Brewing Co., Rusty Water Restaurant & Bar is a great place for families to enjoy a meal. The internationally trained chef produces delicious seasonal dishes in a cosy environment. Grab a table by the fireplace and unwind with an award-winning Chicory Stout.
Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant & Bar, 1821 Phillip Island Road, Cowes
13. The Haven Wave Cafe
The cafe is on the ground floor of a complex housing a surf shop and youth hostel and from the decor we aren’t expecting too much. Luckily the food outshines the surroundings, with fresh local ingredients and a smattering of ‘superfoods’ presented in a tasty way.
The Haven Wave Cafe, 4 Bluebird Crt, Newhaven
Phillip Island Accommodation
14. Park Lane Phillip Island Holiday Park
With a range of accommodation options available, from caravans to spacious cabins, motel rooms and even glamping, Park Lane Holiday Park has so much to offer families.
Book a glamorous Safari Tent and enjoy a full kitchen, spacious front deck with BBQ and modern bathroom all to yourself. These glamping tents have two bedrooms and a separate living/dining area, and can accommodate up to 6 people with a queen bed and 2 bunk beds.
Within the grounds of the holiday park there’s a playground, swimming pool, tennis court and games room, as well as A Maze’N Things and Rusty Water Brewery all within walking distance.
Park Lane Phillip Island Holiday Park, 1825 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes
15. Ramada Resort Phillip Island
Ramada Resort Phillip Island is a family-friendly resort set amidst 65 acres of natural bushland. We stay in a very comfortable 2-bedroom cabin with a spacious lounge/dining/kitchen area, a small bathroom (shower, no bath) and two double bedrooms.
Other resort facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and spa, gym and spa, games room, children’s playground, two tennis courts, two picnic barbecue areas, plus an onsite restaurant, café & bar and pizzeria. Because we are so tired after a day’s adventuring we have pizza from the pizzeria both nights of our stay – you can dine in or takeaway.
Ramada Resort Phillip Island, 2128 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes
16. Anchor Belle
Phillip Island’s main town is Cowes and where you’ll find the Anchor Belle Holiday Park.
The holiday park has campsites and cabins, from the Luxury 2 storey Town House Apartments to the popular 2 or 3 bedroom Deluxe Self Contained Cabins.
Park facilities include a heated indoor pool, games room with Playstation and arcade games, jumping cushion, e multipurpose ball area, recreation room with pool table and table tennis, kiosk, DVD hire. You also receive a FREE Wifi voucher on arrival.
17. AirBnB
AirBnB lists many holiday residences in Phillip Island. It’s usually my first go-to search engine for booking family-friendly accommodation all around the world as you can search using the ‘family friendly’ filter.
For more information on visiting Phillip Island, including accommodation options, activities and sights, visit www.phillilpisland.com and www.penguins.org.au.
Where are your favourite places to stay, play, see and eat in Phillip Island?
