You probably already know a little bit about Phillip Island, it having pride of place in Australia’s ‘Top 5’ tourist attractions. But what makes it so special? One word could be used to describe the reason why tourists flock there in their thousands year after year – PENGUINS. There, I’ve said it, the reason why Phillip Island is well and truly on the traveller’s well trodden path.
However, it would be unfair to leave you with the false impression that Phillip Island is only about penguins. There is so much more to the place that some of its other highlights warrant more than a passing mention.
But firstly, back to the penguins! Phillip Island has a large resident colony of Fairy Penguins (also known as Little Penguins and they are indeed little!!) that keep their burrows amongst the sandy knolls of the island’s beach. After a day of frolicking in the sea, each evening around dusk hundreds of the colony waddle their way up the beach to the warmth and safety of their burrow, thus making a daily natural spectacle right on cue for the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of the captive audience who have travelled many a mile to watch them. It is locally known as the ‘penguin parade and is worth the miles travelled, as such a sight would melt even the hardest of hearts!
Though there is much more in Phillip Island to whet your appetite, it has to be said that the island is a nature paradise and if you are in any way inclined towards the natural world you will be in seventh heaven. In the late 1990s the Phillip Island Nature Park was formed, combining the resources and management of all of the island’s conservationist efforts to create a program that protects and promotes the island’s natural wildlife and wonders. 

What to do on Phillip Island

Penguins

Without wanting to overcook the issue, did I mention that there are penguins on the island?! If you’re one of those people that like to enjoy a slightly different experience from the masses then you would be a good candidate for the ‘Ultimate Penguin Tour’. No more than 15 people are allowed on the tour during any one evening (though it is often far less) and having met with a park ranger, you are all decked out in camouflage gear complete with night vision goggles and off you set to a small secluded beach that only the rangers have access to. You are about to settle in for your own private viewing of the adorable ‘Fairys’. Ok so you may not get to view them in the same large numbers as the crowds but this experience is priceless as you get to pitch your own personal site against a sand dune and before you know it dozens of the cute and furries are waddling up the beach all around you to their homes. You are right in the thick of it, stock still, listening to the penguins calling to one another (‘Good day’s fishing? See you tomorrow!’). You could probably reach out and touch those that pass close....though of course you wouldn’t. The ‘Ultimate Penguin Tour’ is an unforgettable experience that will stay in your memory for years to come.

Koalas

Just when you thought you’d had your quota of cute and cuddly animals, who could resist an encounter with Australia’s most iconic cute and cuddly – the koala? You might already have visited other parts of Australia where these gorgeous animals were doing their thing high up in the trees. But that’s just it isn’t it, there’s only so long you can stand craning your neck to catch a glimpse of grey fur clinging to the branches in the treetops. Well now you can see them face to face! Visit the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island and you can walk on the ingenious boardwalk they’ve devised high up in the gum trees – yes indeed, this is a boardwalk set in the tree canopy, at ‘koala level’! There are rangers on duty to ensure the koalas are not disturbed by visitors, but who’d want to disturb a peaceful sleeping koala anyway when you can just look wistfully on. This is all about seeing koalas in their natural habitat, rather than having one perch on your arm like a stuffed animal akin to some of the koala encounters available at various zoos. This is another priceless animal encounter.

Seals

There’s a good chance you’ve already seen seals before too. But have you ever seen as many as up to 16,000 at any one time? Thought not! To say that the seal colony at Phillip Island is huge still doesn’t prepare you for the moment you see so many of them all in the same place at the same time! Head to Seal Rocks (never has there been such a fitting name) and you can watch them sunbathe, feed, wrestle with one another playfully, or just flop blissfully into the cool water to escape the midday sun! (Perhaps the seals could rewrite the Australian sun safety campaign to read ‘flip, flap, flop’!). There are several ways in which to get a fantastic view of the seals – you can take a cruise into the seal infested waters, or call into the Nobbies Centre (so named because it is close to Nobbie’s rock formation) and watch the seals from one of the centre’s amazing state of the art cameras for a real close up view of the action. Whichever way you choose, you’ll regret it if you don’t make the effort as this is possibly the only opportunity you’ll ever get to see so many seals at the same time.

Walking

Phillip Island was made for walking. With a photo perfect opportunity around every bend and the notion that you might just encounter a seal, penguin or one of the many sea birds to be spotted here, not to mention the stunning coastal views, what’s not to love? There are some places on the island just crying out to be discovered, some little gems that get forgotten amongst the more obvious tourist stop off points. 

If you only have time for a short walk, take a stroll down the boardwalk from the car park to Pyramid Rock, which has great views out to Cape Woolamai and to the Nobbies formations. If you time it for sunset all the better and you can sit back with a sundowner and watch the day slip into evening as the rocks take on the sun’s shimmering pink and orange hues. 

More time on your hands? Take one of the four coastal walking tracks around Cape Woolamai. Stretch your legs with a 2 to 4 hour walk admiring Cape Woolamai’s ancient pink granite at Phillip Island’s highest point. There are sweeping beaches with golden sands hugging the curves of the Cape and viewing platforms as you walk upwards allowing you breathtaking vistas across the Pinnacles and the old Granite Quarry. Don’t forget your camera though! From September to April you’ll also be blessed with the sight of a huge colony of Short-tailed Shearwaters, Phillip Island’s largest seabird colony. 

If a serene freshwater lake is more your thing than the waves crashing against rocks, walk to Swan Lake. You’re not likely to see a group of ladies in pink tutus but you are likely to see some of the Bunurong Aboriginal tribe as the lake is an important heritage site for them. In fact, you can participate in a bush tucker trail with one of the Bunurong people, who will teach you what to look out for in terms of finding naturally grown food in the area. That will make for some good stories around the camp fire! 

Surfing

Phillip Island is one of Australia’s finest surf destinations for its consistently reliable and varied surf conditions. In fact the Island has played host to a number of major surf competitions and events, including the Roxy Pro Women’s Surf Festival. So grab a board, hang ten and see how many waves you can catch before the sun sets!

Phillip Island Circuit

For a bit of high octane entertainment, step it up a notch or two and get some pit side action! Watch the V8 supercars race around the circuit or time your visit with one of the many big motorcycle race events taking place at the Phillip Island Circuit, including the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the World Championship Superbikes. True adrenalin pumping action, it is a world away from the serenity inherent with the rest of the Island!

Getting to Phillip Island

Only a 2 hour drive south east of Melbourne, Phillip Island is easy to reach by road being a direct route that is extremely well sign posted.
There are also daily buses running to and from Melbourne to Phillip Island.