Phillip Island is a haven for wildlife, walks and pretty views. With plenty of places to see quintessential Aussie wildlife, coastal walks and gorgeous ocean views, you won’t be short on things to do around Phillip Island.
Calling all wildlife lovers, surfers, foodies and everything in between.
Just a couple of hours’ drive south of Melbourne along the peninsula, Phillip Island is a great place to do some sightseeing and to get your fix of wildlife and views.
Phillip Island is a relaxed coastal destination that is most well known for its daily penguin parade. The penguin parade is a must-see during your time on Phillip Island!
So, cross over the San Remo bridge, and head over to Phillip Island to discover some cute Aussie wildlife.
Your one-day itinerary to Phillip Island
Only got a day to explore Phillip Island? Check out our best suggestions for your day trip to Phillip Island.
San Remo is the last town you’ll go through before heading to Phillip Island. Just before the San Remo bridge – try and arrive here before midday to see the pelicans!
There is a daily pelican feed at San Remo Wharf at around 11:30am-midday. It’s a great gateway into your wildlife-filled day trip on Phillip Island!
Coastal walk
Trek around the Cape Woolamai for spectacular views of the whole island. Check out the Pinnacles Walk for a great vista. The return walk is around 1.5 hours, spanning 4.5km. Or for a more chilled morning, watch the surfers at Cape Woolamai and wander along the beach.
Visit Seal Rock Lookout
Of course, most people come to Phillip Island to marvel at the fairy penguins. But did you know there’s a huge colony of seals living here too?
Watch as the seals basque on the rocks. Visit the Nobbies Centre for an even closer look at the seals. Nicknamed the ‘Zoo of the Future’, the Nobbies Centre allows visitors a view into everyday seal life, with weatherproof cameras that show seals in their natural habitat. This reflects on a big indoor screen that gives you a close-up view of the seals.
Visit Churchill Island
What’s better than seeing one island in a day? Seeing two islands in a day.
Visit Churchill Island to step back in time. Step into the 1920s and see a working farm! It’s a traditional European farm with lots of cute farm animals roaming around the grounds. See live demonstrations of traditional farming methods, and explore the pretty views of the island.
Check out the wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation
There are a couple of places you can check out the wildlife on Phillip Island. Check out Koala Conversation Centre or Moonlit Sanctuary!
Moonlit offers a very up close and personal experience with some staple Aussie wildlife. Get close to kangaroos and feed them!
Pick up a bag of kangaroo feed, and then walk around their enclosure to get close enough to feed them! Lay your hand down flat, and they will come up to you and eat the food right out of your hand.
Or, to see lots of koalas munching on eucalyptus and relaxing in the trees, check out the Koala Conservation Centre.
Penguin Parade
Your day trip to Phillip Island wouldn’t be complete without participating in the famous penguin parade. Phillip Island is home to around 32,000 of these adorable fairy penguins!
The penguins spend the day fishing in the ocean. Then they swim up to the beach to return home after a big day of catching fish. Come sunset, the penguins peek up from the water. They waddle up to the sandy beach and burrow into the rocks there.
To catch the Penguin parade, you’ll have to book in advance to get a spot at the viewing gallery. Make sure you arrive at the viewing galleries at least an hour before. This will allow you the best views of the penguin parade.
Want to take a tour?
If you’d like to see the delights of Phillip Island without going through the hassle of any organisation, then we have the tour for you!