Top 10 Things To Do And See On Phillip Island, Victoria
Sea view of Phillip Island, © Pasquale Paolo Cardo, Flickr
If you’re looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle of
Melbourne, Phillip Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Victoria. And it’s no wonder, due to the wide range of opportunities and experiences for you to encounter. Here are the top 10 things to see and to do in Phillip Island.
The penguin parade
This amazing attraction is one of the most popular to visit in Phillip Island. Each night at sunset, you can witness penguins returning ashore after a day of fishing and reside in their natural habitats for the night. There are a range of organized experiences to choose from, such as the penguin parade, penguin plus, underground viewing, penguin skybox, and the ultimate penguin tour. You can also enjoy interactive and educational displays in the visitor centre.
Phillip Island Nature Park, 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands VIC, Australia +61 03 5951 2800
Vietnam Veterans Museum
Museum
The
Vietnam Veterans Museum was built to commemorate the legacy of the veterans and to help and support veterans of the Vietnam War (1962-1975) after their return to Australia. The museum offers a moving light and sound show through the galleries, showing the experience of veterans in the Vietnam War with the words of the veterans themselves. There’s a huge collection of artefacts, including helicopters, vehicles and aircraft, interpreted with information, imagery and audio in a fascinating, emotional and educational journey. Guided tours can be arranged.
Nobbies Centre
To experience the naturally captivating scenery of Phillip Island, the Nobbies Centre allows visitors to take it all in with breathtaking views of coastal scenery. Go for a stroll along the Nobbies boardwalk and witness the awesome blowhole – a spectacular sea cave that thunders during big southern swells. Take a moment to learn about the local area from the educational signage, experience the Silver Gulls nesting and their chicks, which can be seen during spring and early summer. Lastly, make sure you plan in some time to see Australia’s largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks on Phillip Island.
Nobbies Centre, 1320 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, VIC, Australia +61 03 5951 2800
Phillip Island Circuit
The Phillip Island Circuit has hosted some of the most major motor sporting events, such as Moto GP and the World Superbikes. The circuit also includes Go-Karts, or you can be driven around the circuit at high speed by an experienced race driver. You can even get a guided tour of the circuit, which includes access to trackside areas such as the control tower, media centre and pit roof. It’s a perfect day out if you’re a bit of a speed demon.
Phillip Island Circuit, Back Beach Road, Phillip Island, VIC, Australia +61 03 5952 2710
Phillip Island Wildlife Coast Cruises
Phillip Islands Wildlife Coast Cruises offers a range of different types of wildlife cruises, such as seal watching. There is also a twilight cruise where you will travel along the shores of Phillip Island, historic French Island and past the Port of Hastings while enjoying tasty nibbles and refreshments. A four-hour market cruise is also available where you visit Stony Points Market, which provides crafts, plants, artworks, tea and coffee.
Phillip Islands Wildlife Coast Cruises, 11/13 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC, Australia +61 1300 763 739
Koala Conservation Centre
This eco-tourist attraction has been essential for saving the koala population of Phillip Island. The Koala Conservation Centre allows you to get up close and personal, while still experiencing the koalas in their natural habitat. A breeding program has been recently added to help conserve the population even more. With this, you can also experience the koala joeys take their first adventures out of their mothers’ pouch. This koala centre is great for photos and getting an educational experience about the creatures and their population.
Koala Conservation Centre, 1810 Phillip Island Rd, Phillip Island, VIC, Australia +61 03 5951 2800
Maru Koala and Animal Park
Park
Get in touch with the native wildlife at
Maru Koala and Animal Park. At this park, you can get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most native animals. This includes petting and feeding friendly kangaroos, walking with dingoes, patting koalas, talking to the parrots and holding a python snake. The guides will provide information about each animal, and you can also take part in hourly tours.
Cowes
Cowes is the main town on Phillip Island, providing tourists with the best of food opportunities and local shops to explore. There is a playground, which the kids can enjoy, and multiple barbecue stations around for family and friends to get together. The Mingara art gallery is worth a look, as it holds both contemporary and indigenous artworks. Alternatively, if you want to learn about Phillip Islands heroes and cultural history stories, you can visit the Phillip Island Historical Museum. Here you will find exhibitions on geology, maritime history, aboriginal culture and the life of the early settlers.
Cowes, Phillip Island, VIC, Australia
A Maze’n’Things
A Maze’n Things is a whole world filled with optical illusions, mazes and puzzles that will entertain the whole family. Inside the uniquely designed building you will find the Illusions Rooms, a Mirror Maze, the Rotating Room, and a host of other exciting and challenging things to do, including the Look Out Slide, which is the highest indoor vertical slide in the Southern Hemisphere. A Maze’n’Things also has a mini golf course with an outside barbecue area. It is a great way for the family to spend a day together.
A Maze’n’Things, 1805 Phillip Island Road, Cowes, VIC, Australia +61 03 5952 2283
