Hoping to get away from the bustling city? Phillip Island is the perfect place! Here you can disconnect from your hectic metropolitan lifestyle as you immerse in the tranquility of nature! So embark on an adventure like never before, where you will be able to witness wildlife as you go for walks or see breathtaking scenery. Come in contact with an array of animals that you may or may not have heard of before—but one thing’s for sure, they will all find their own way to your heart, either by how cute or how majestic they are! Check out these top things to do in Phillip Island, Australia, to ensure a memorable holiday.
1. See Phillip Island's beautiful panorama by taking a helicopter aboard on a half-island tour (from USD 115.04)
You can make the most of your time on Phillip Island by taking advantage of the ultimate helicopter experience, which combines the pleasures of a scenic flight with the excitement of a fantastic ride. Be amazed by the island’s breathtaking scenery, including its beaches of pure white sand, verdant farmland, and magnificent body of water.
You will also have the opportunity to take in a panoramic view of several attractions, such as the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. During this helicopter tour, you will be given headsets that cancel out ambient noise and feature live commentary to keep you informed and oriented throughout the trip.
Phillip Island: Half Island Helicopter Tour-12 mins
Duration: 12.0 minute
2. Enjoy a fun-filled holiday getaway at A Maze N Things Theme Park
Enjoy a wonderful vacation with your loved ones at this property, which offers a wide variety of exciting and entertaining activities and a cafe where you can relax with a drink and a puzzle. There is a diverse assortment of activities to choose from, such as Puzzle Island, where you can have fun getting lost in the mirror maze, or Magic Manor, which will pique your interest with activities such as exploring the mysterious cave.
Parky’s Mini Golf features a unique 19-hole setup, and the SkyTrail is a high ropes course excursion with 30 distinct challenges, both of which are great for enjoying the outdoors. Don’t leave without picking up a few souvenirs, such as cards and board games, from the gift shop to share with friends and family back home.
A Maze N Things Theme Park
Address: 1805 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes VIC 3922, Australia
Website: A Maze N Things Theme Park
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
3. Race your heart out at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Vroom vroom! Does the sound of revving engines make your blood rush through your veins? Well, then this is the right place for you. Over here, you will have the chance to drive your own kart around the 750-meter (0.47-mile) track—just like a professional! There are individual lap timings available and tandem karts, so buckle up, speed off, and try out those drifts in the circuit. You can also race on Australia’s largest four-lane GP slot car track or get behind the wheels of a race simulator—all built for you to get a firsthand experience of how the professionals feel like while speeding around the track, completing laps at staggering speeds. There is even a History of Motorsport display, so you can step back in time and marvel at the history of Phillip island’s racing heritage.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Address: 381 Back Beach Rd, Ventnor, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 23.50 - 53.75 USD
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Roam with the animals at Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Phillip Island Wildlife Park is a huge park around 60 acres (24.3 ha) large. It is home to over 100 different species of Australian animals. Unlike a conventional zoo where you just view the animals from afar, the park allows you to be in close proximity with the creatures. You will be allowed to touch, feed, and even take photographs with them! Not forgetting to mention, there are some areas where animals are free-roaming, and you can just watch them scurrying about just a few feet from you. Keep your eyes peeled so you can get a glimpse of Australia’s popular emus, koalas, kangaroos or wallabies, and many other native animals that you probably have not heard of.
Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Address: 2115 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 6 - 13 USD
5. Get up close and personal with koalas at Koala Reserve
The majority of koalas reside in Australia, causing them to become an integral part of Australia’s identity, as you can see from many tourism posters or merchandise. Stand a chance to get up close with these cuddly creatures—you will be able to wander along two treetop boardwalks for superb up-close koala viewing, which takes around 20 minutes each. Besides that, there are 6 hectares (14.8 acres) of Australian bushland on the easily accessible trails, where you can spot other beautiful native animals such as wallabies, echidnas, and colourful birds. You can also get your hands on information regarding koalas, to gain more knowledge about them, at the visitor centre. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of this year’s koala joeys as they take their first adventures out of their mothers’ pouches!
Koala Reserve
Address: 1790 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Koala Reserve
Opening hours: Vary
Price: 6.60 - 13.20 USD
6. Waddle on at Penguin Parade
At Summerland Beach, you will be able to catch a colony of penguins arriving at the beach and waddling off—just like the scene in Happy Feet! Phillip Island offers different activities at different prices—visitors can either sit at a tiered seating overlooking the beach or pay a premium to be seated somewhere extremely close to the penguins. There is even an option to be seated underground, where you’ll have an eye-level view of this amazing natural phenomenon! There are also ranger-guided tours, VIP tours, Little Wonders family tours, and more—all of which offer added knowledge and a brand-new experience!
Penguin Parade
Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Penguin Parade
Opening hours: Sunset
Price: From 16.50 USD
7. Learn some history at National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Decades ago, there was widespread destruction and devastation in many countries due to a protracted war, and many Australians perished in their valiant fight to help out. Thus, National Vietnam Veterans Museum was established for everyone to commemorate those who lost their lives on the battlefield—and also to keep their legacy going. At the museum, there are artifacts from the war, images, audio recordings, conscription ballot balls used by National Service’s system, key vehicles such as helicopters and tanks, and even a bomber.
National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Address: 25 Veterans Dr, Newhaven, VIC 3925, Australia
Website: National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 0 - 10 USD
8. Enlighten yourself at Nobbies Centre
With the incredible wildlife and spectacular scenery around Philip’s island, Nobbies Centre is just the place where you can catch them all! Equipped with technological displays and interactive exhibits, this site allows you to dive further into the beauty of Philip’s Island’s natural ecosystem. On top of that, there are boardwalks here where you can set your sights on the breathtaking ocean and the famous blowhole—another popular attraction. Nobbies Centre is also near the resident seal colony, where you can watch dozens of fur seals sunbathe and play with each other in their natural habitat.
Nobbies Centre
Address: 1320 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Nobbies Centre
Opening hours: Vary
9. Get adventurous at Forrest Caves
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Due to the erosion caused by Bass Strait’s heavy wave action, the rocks have finally given way to produce two rather large caverns on the beach here. When the tide is low, visitors are more than welcome to head into Forrest caves, where they can just hang out and enjoy the pleasantly cool, dim, and moist environment. Do bring your cameras as many people can attest to the fact that Forrest Caves is perfect for capturing photos. And if the weather permits, have a splash at the beach, where you will be able to swim in the turquoise-blue water or even bring a surfboard and ride the waves during high tide.
Forrest Caves
Address: Bass Strait, Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Forrest Caves
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Immerse yourself in nature at Phillip Island Nature Park
A short drive from Melbourne takes you to Phillip Island Nature Park, home to the renowned Penguin Parade. Phillip Island Nature Park is a coastal area consisting of various fun entertainment involving wildlife. From Antarctic Journey and EcoBoat Adventures to touring Churchill Island and observing koalas at Koala Reserve, Phillip Island Nature Park succinctly encapsulates the nature of Australia, rife with wildlife and always bursting with love for animals. Penguin Parade consists of different sections—you can opt for general viewing or get up close and personal via an underground spot.
Phillip Island Nature Park
Address: 2115 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes, VIC 3922, Australia
Website: Phillip Island Nature Park
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
11. Feed the pelicans at San Remo
The San Remo jetty is unlike any ordinary jetty as it is bustling with life, where visitors are able to feed wild pelicans! Since these pelicans are from the wild, their numbers would vary from 5 to 25. But one thing is certain—they really are hungry! Aside from helping keep these wild birds from going hungry, you’ll also learn more about their diets and ways to support conservation efforts for them and other similar species. There is also a big chance that you’ll spot stingrays as they are often seen gliding through the water—you can observe them from above the pier or even on the beach! In case it’s you that get hungry, there is an eatery here named Fish n Chippery, and it is known for serving fresh seafood.
San Remo Pelican Feeding
Address: 170 Marine Parade, San Remo, VIC 3925, Australia
Website: San Remo Pelican Feeding
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 12pm
12. Satiate your sweet tooth at Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
At Phillip Island’s Chocolate Factory, you will be able to witness the whole life cycle of chocolate—from its beginning as a humble cocoa bean to how it’s transformed into a richly flavoured treat. In addition, there are exhibitions here that truly redefine the word “detail"—as the management has come up with artworks and sculptures purely made of chocolate! Also, you will get the chance to have a hands-on experience of crafting your own chocolate masterpiece.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Address: 930 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven, VIC 3925, Australia
Website: Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Opening hours: Vary
Price: 0 - 11.50 USD
Phillip Island—a new tomorrow
A trip to Phillip Island is unlike any other, as the locals there have taken advantage of God’s given resources and magnified them. The place’s ecotourism is like no other, engaging people, educating them, and also making them fall head over heels in love with nature—enough to want to protect and preserve it. And this is the true magic of Phillip Island.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to