Phillip Island is just 40 minutes off the southern coast of Melbourne, yet it feels like it’s a million miles away! When visiting Victoria's capital, a Phillip Island tour from Melbourne is a must-do. The island is just 101 square kilometres in size yet has so much diversity it’s become a popular day trip from Melbourne for tourists and locals.
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit was built in 1952 and is home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and World Superbike Championships. By far, the biggest attraction on Phillip Island, however, is much slower moving. People gather at sunset to watch the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade as fairy penguins head home for the day.
Join us as we unearth all aspects of Victoria as we rove the highways and byways of this diverse state. Delve into bustling metropolitan Melbourne, travel along the Great Ocean Road and enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight over the 12 Apostles. Traverse The Grampians to Ballarat and experience history at Sovereign Hill. Dig up our gold mining history in Bendigo and board a paddle steamer in Echuca before discovering the beauty of the High Country.
Phillip Island is home to some of Australia’s most unique wildlife, attracting visitors worldwide. Phillip Island tours take visitors to Phillip Island Nature Park to wander through world-renowned wetlands and along scenic boardwalks. As the sun sets, the beach comes to life with the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade - an unforgettable sight.
Just like clockwork, the penguins arrive at sunset every night of the year, and visitors can watch the parade from boardwalks and viewing platforms. Those lucky enough to book a special Phillip Island tour can watch from a safe distance in premium underground viewing areas, offering a close-up look at the penguins' antics.
Phillip Island has one of the largest fairy penguin colonies in the world. Also known as little penguins, these charming creatures are a real spectacle as they waddle their way every day from a day’s fishing to their sand dune burrows for the night.
Many come on a Phillip Island day trip to visit one of Australia’s largest colonies of Australian fur seals. Two kilometres off the island is Seal Rocks, where over 20,000 seals make their home.
Boats take day trippers on fascinating wildlife and scenic cruises around the area’s rugged coastline off Phillip Island, to Seal Rocks, around Westernport Bay and across to Wilsons Promontory. The onboard commentary provides interesting information about the local wildlife, their habitat and history, and some little-known facts.
The boat drifts within metres of the fur seals. It is close enough for some fabulous photographs but far enough away to experience the seals in their natural environment, fishing and diving from the rocks, feeding their young or lazing in the sun.
Between May and September, you take a whale-watching cruise and watch these majestic creatures as they migrate to the waters off Phillip Island.
Yes! Phillip Island is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, crossing the bridge from San Remo to the island.
The Western Port Ferry trip takes around 40 minutes and is a terrific way to unwind from the bustle of Melbourne. The ferry leaves Stony Point Jetty on the Mornington Peninsula, stopping at Tankerton Jetty on French Island before arriving at Cowes, the largest town on the island and the perfect place to start your Phillip Island day tour.
Apart from the unique fur seal colony and amazing little fairy penguins, Phillip Island is home to a wonderful array of wildlife. The island has an abundance of eastern grey kangaroos and is home to swamp wallabies, emus, cassowaries, koalas, echidnas, and Tasmanian devils.
Many of these are found at Phillip Island Wildlife Park, which is set on 60 acres and is home to over 100 species of Australian animals. Many migrating birds also visit the island.
Philip Island boasts spectacular coastlines, beaches and bays, excellent surfing and fishing, seaside villages with lovely cafes and restaurants, fun family activities, and world-class motorsports events.
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