Disclosure
Welcome and thank you for visiting this article. Before you start reading, you need to know that some of the links on my website are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from the sale of certain items, but the price remains the same for you.
Philip Island in Victoria is an amazing place if you like to do something different. This wonderful little Island is blessed with stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and adventure activities that will keep you entertained all year round.
Even better, it’s located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, which makes it also the perfect destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway with the family.
The island has so much to offer and during my short visit, I explored some of the best things to do on Philip Island that I would like to share with you!
The best time to Visit Philip Island
The best time to visit Phillip Island is during the summer months of December, January, and February. However, keep in mind that it can get quite busy during this time, so book your accommodation in advance.
If you’re looking for a quieter experience, I recommend visiting during the autumn or winter months as most places will be less crowded and it’s the perfect moment to have every spot for yourself.
My visit to Philip Island was at the end of March and it was for me personally a great moment. The weather was nice with pleasant temperatures, although the water was a bit cold and the Island was not overcrowded, so it was easy to find accommodation on Philip Island.
Where To Stay On Philip Island?
Many people choose to camp or go with a caravan to Phillip Island as it’s a very popular holiday destination. However, if camping isn’t your thing, don’t worry!
There are plenty of accommodation options available such as hotels and motels. It might be a good idea to book your stay in advance as these places tend to fill up quickly over the summer months.
Cowes Beach and Redbank Beach are very popular places as there is much more to do around. However, staying close to the Eastern beaches is perfect to watch the sunrise.
A perfect location for families and people who are looking for accommodation close to all the highlights. NRMA Phillip Island Holiday Park is located just a few minutes from Cowes Beach and features bungalows with a kitchenette and tv.
The campground has wide sites with BBQs, a communal kitchen and laundry facilities, which makes it a great place to stay during your visit to Philip Island.
This is a great option if you’re want to unwind and enjoy a quiet stay on Philip Island. Bimbadeen Phillip Island Farm Retreats offers fully-furnished self-contained cottages that can accommodate 10 people.
The accommodation has free WIFI and features an amazing view from the deck of the cottage. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet.
7 amazing things to do on Philip Island
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
One of the first things I did during my visit to Philip Island was a tour around the Philip Island Chocolate Factory and discover how these island’s famous chocolates are made. A great way to spend the day with the family and enjoy some wonderful chocolates for free!
During the factory tour, you can play some games and earn coins that you can trade for chocolate at the end. You can’t get a better experience than this.
BOOK: Tickets are AU$ 18,00 per person and can be purchased in advance on the website.
Nobbies Centre
The Nobbies Centre is located on the southernmost point of the Island. This Centre is a great place to learn about the marine life in the area. It’s also home to a colony of Australian fur seals, so you can get up close and personal with these playful animals.
You might even see some penguins making their way back from the sea. It provides tourists with a breathtaking view and an opportunity to get closer to nature. During your visit, you can see fur seals sunbathing on the rocks, and listening to the unique call that they make in harmony will give you goosebumps.
BOOK: Buy your tickets in advance and learn more about the Antarctic
Photo credit: @proteus_photography2
Photo credit: @proteus_photography2
Pyramid Rock
Pyramid Rock is a natural rock formation that can be found just off the coast of Phillip Island. Two wooden walk boards lead to a lookout platform where you have amazing views over the Pyramid Rock and the surrounding area.
The rock formation resembles an Egyptian pyramid, hence the name. It’s worth a visit if you’re looking for something different to do on the Island. The view from the platforms is simply beautiful and well worth the walk, as I saw wallabies and many birds along the way. so make sure you bring your camera with you!
Red Rock Beach
This beach is popular with both locals and visitors. It’s located at the end of Church Street and there is a small parking area, so you can’t miss it. From the parking, it’s a small walk to reach the wooden stairs down to the beach.
Red Rock Beach is the best place on Philip Island to watch the sunset with a picnic on the beach just like I did. So bring a rug and some snack to enjoy some of the most breathtaking sunsets.
Woolomai Surf Beach
Located on the Island’s eastern side, this is one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. The ocean can be quite rough but the views are spectacular and perfect for surfing or relaxing after a busy day.
Woolomai Surf Beach is also located in the Philip Island Nature Park with some of the best hiking trails on the Island. One of the trails leads to the Pinnacles, which is a must-see place inside the park.
BOOK: Visit Woolomai Beach with a guided tour to Philip Island
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are a natural rock formation that can be found along the coastline of Phillip Island Nature Park. This area is a popular place among hikers and surfers for the Cape Woolomai Circuit walk.
To visit the Pinnacles, park your car at the parking area near the Woolomai Surf Club and walk down the beach and continue to the left on the beach for about 30-min.
Almost at the end of the beach, you will need to follow a small path going up into the dunes and once you are up the dunes keep following the path to the right (away from the surf club). After another 30 minutes, you’ll reach the Pinnacles Viewpoint.
Markets on Philip Island
The Cowes Market on Church St. is a popular market that takes place every fourth Saturday of each month. It is a small, cozy market where you can find a variety of stalls selling all sorts of things such as clothes, jewelry, art, and food.
Another great market on Philip Island is the Island Foreshore Market, which takes place in summer or autumn and where you can enjoy some of the best local foods, live music and many more.
INFO: Find more information about all the markets on and near Philip Island on the website of the Bass Coast
Philip Island is an amazing destination for those who are looking for an active weekend getaway or a day trip from the bustling city. In this article are 7 things to do on Philip Island, but there are many more!
Let me know what your favorite place is on Philip Island!
Explore the best things to do on Philip Island with my favourite travel apps
To plan my adventures, I use these FREE websites and apps as they provide the best information, the best deals, and they are user-friendly.
- Trip – Flight deals
- Booking.com – Hotels and accommodation
- TourRadar – Group trips
- TripAdvisor – Reviews and activities
- HostelWorld – Hostels
- GetYourGuide – Activities and excursions
- RentalCars – Carrental
PICTURES AND EDITING
All the pictures on this page are made and owned by me or credited to their original artist with permission. If you are interested in some pictures to use for your magazine, website, blog, or any other purpose, just send me an email and we’ll figure it out.
Do you like the edits? My Presets will be online soon so you can edit your pictures in just one click!
The camera gear I used for this trip
I never go out without my camera and many people ask me which gear I use. So to make it quite easy, I listed all the gear I used for this trip below.
Most of the time, I travel with the Sony A7III and the Sony 24-105mm/f4 as my primary lens but depending on the location, I change to another setup. However, I love the Tamron 17-28 to shoot in the big cities.
