Things to do!
Free!
Great walk with views out to seals rock and an educational café located at the walks entrance.
15 locals recommend
The Nobbies View Point
Free!
Great walk with views out to seals rock and an educational café located at the walks entrance.
Family friendly experience. Feed and get up close with Australian wildlife.
168 locals recommend
Phillip Island Wildlife Park
2115 Phillip Island RdFamily friendly experience. Feed and get up close with Australian wildlife.
Great entertainment for children, families and groups. There is a small theme park, a giant maze, a mini golf course and a high ropes course.
232 locals recommend
A Maze N Things Theme Park
1805 Phillip Island RdGreat entertainment for children, families and groups. There is a small theme park, a giant maze, a mini golf course and a high ropes course.
Interactive and entertaining chocolate tour and tasting with a café at the entrance and exit. Great for children, families and groups.
208 locals recommend
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
930 Phillip Island RdInteractive and entertaining chocolate tour and tasting with a café at the entrance and exit. Great for children, families and groups.
Bowling, laser tag, arcade games, pool and ping pong. Perfect for group and families.
37 locals recommend
Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre
91-97 Settlement RdBowling, laser tag, arcade games, pool and ping pong. Perfect for group and families.
ISLANTIS SURFBOARDS
12 Phillip Island RdSurf museum located within the shop.
Wildlife Cruises
170 Marine ParadeA relaxing and fun trip departing from both Cowes and San Remo.
Historical and world class track just a 2 minute drive from our accommodation. Intense and exciting go carting is also offered here.
14 locals recommend
Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Centre
Historical and world class track just a 2 minute drive from our accommodation. Intense and exciting go carting is also offered here.
Watch thousands of little fairy penguins come in at night under the stars. Breathtaking experience that everyone will love. Be sure to pack a jacket. Refer the website for expected penguin arrival times.
http://www.penguins.org.au/
319 locals recommend
Penguin Parade
1019 Ventnor RdWatch thousands of little fairy penguins come in at night under the stars. Breathtaking experience that everyone will love. Be sure to pack a jacket. Refer the website for expected penguin arrival times.
http://www.penguins.org.au/
Great walking track and café. Be sure to see what events they have on during your stay.
http://www.penguins.org.au/
198 locals recommend
Churchill Island
Great walking track and café. Be sure to see what events they have on during your stay.
http://www.penguins.org.au/
Historical, educational and entertaining for all ages.
27 locals recommend
National Vietnam Veterans Museum
25 Veterans DrHistorical, educational and entertaining for all ages.
Koala Conservation Reserve
1810 Phillip Island Rdhttp://www.penguins.org.au/
Learn to surf for all ages. Jess is an amazing teacher. she taught me to surf in my late 40's. carolyn
Girls on Board
Beachcomber AvenueLearn to surf for all ages. Jess is an amazing teacher. she taught me to surf in my late 40's. carolyn
Phillip Island Helicopters
1 Veterans DrSan Remo Park
Marine ParadeFree
Philip Island Go Kart
381 Back Beach RoadPhillip Island Golf Club
34-44 Settlement RdFood Scene
Delicious food with stunning views over San Remo and the water, complimented with a great atmosphere.
60 locals recommend
Saltwater Phillip Island
2 Beach CresDelicious food with stunning views over San Remo and the water, complimented with a great atmosphere.
The Cape Kitchen
1215 Phillip Island RdBeautiful views over the ocean and a great breakfast spot.
Modern café in the centre of Cowes with a buzzing atmosphere and great coffee.
53 locals recommend
The Waterboy Cafe
58 Chapel StModern café in the centre of Cowes with a buzzing atmosphere and great coffee.
Incredible steak, seafood, pizza and pasta in the centre of Cowes. Inviting and family friendly atmosphere.
36 locals recommend
Fig & Olive - Steak & Seafood Restaurant
115 Thompson AveIncredible steak, seafood, pizza and pasta in the centre of Cowes. Inviting and family friendly atmosphere.
Bimbadeen Phillip Island
550 Back Beach RdA homely café with open outdoor spaces and optional farm experiences.
Best views on Phillip Island located on the Cowes foreshore. Beautiful authentic Italian food. Perfect for large groups and families.
52 locals recommend
Isola Di Capri
2 Thompson AveBest views on Phillip Island located on the Cowes foreshore. Beautiful authentic Italian food. Perfect for large groups and families.
Jessies Pizza
135 Thompson AveTake away pizza and pasta. Affordable home delivery.
Premium and delicious take away pizza. Friendly hotel and bistro in the early evening and club in the later evening. Great views and located on the Cowes foreshore.
54 locals recommend
Hotel
13 The EsplanadePremium and delicious take away pizza. Friendly hotel and bistro in the early evening and club in the later evening. Great views and located on the Cowes foreshore.
Located in the centre of Cowes. Various incredible beverages specialising in Gin. Great atmosphere.
33 locals recommend
Grenache Wine Bar
55a Thompson AveLocated in the centre of Cowes. Various incredible beverages specialising in Gin. Great atmosphere.
Great views with a fun and family friendly atmosphere. Suitable for any occasion. Well known for their live music most Friday and Saturday nights.
48 locals recommend
Westernport Hotel
161 Marine ParadeGreat views with a fun and family friendly atmosphere. Suitable for any occasion. Well known for their live music most Friday and Saturday nights.
Delicious food and wine. Beautiful vineyard views and regular live music over summer. Great for larger groups.
96 locals recommend
Purple Hen Winery
96 Mcfees RdDelicious food and wine. Beautiful vineyard views and regular live music over summer. Great for larger groups.
Eat in, take out and delivery food. Quirky restaurant with outstanding customer service. Delicous and authentic Indian food.
Cowes Tandoori Indian Restaurant
134 Thompson AveEat in, take out and delivery food. Quirky restaurant with outstanding customer service. Delicous and authentic Indian food.
Close to great family friendly beaches. Welcoming and buzzing vibe. Awesome sausage rolls and homely food. Incredibly friendly staff team.
29 locals recommend
Smiths Beach General Store
219-221 Smiths Beach RdClose to great family friendly beaches. Welcoming and buzzing vibe. Awesome sausage rolls and homely food. Incredibly friendly staff team.
Best vegan and gluten free food on the Island. Fresh vibe and very accommodating for dietary needs. Located in the centre of Cowes.
22 locals recommend
The Island Food Store Pty Ltd
75 Chapel StBest vegan and gluten free food on the Island. Fresh vibe and very accommodating for dietary needs. Located in the centre of Cowes.
A favourite store amongst the Island's youth. A large variety of food including fish and chips, burgers, HSPs and souvlakis. Located on the foreshore.
Kristo's Charcoal Rotisserie
16 The EsplanadeA favourite store amongst the Island's youth. A large variety of food including fish and chips, burgers, HSPs and souvlakis. Located on the foreshore.
Madcowes
17 The EsplanadePino's Trattoria
29-31 Thompson AveRusty Water Brewery Restaurant & Bar
1821 Phillip Island RdTides of Rhyll
11 Beach Rdthe best fish and chips on the Island...in our opinion.
great wines, food and weekend outdoor live music. Check out the Facebook page.
111 locals recommend
Phillip Island Winery
414 Berrys Beach Rdgreat wines, food and weekend outdoor live music. Check out the Facebook page.
Wing Ho Chinese Restaurant
81 Thompson AvePretty good Chinese food
Silverleaves Store & Cafe
1 Honeysuckle GroveWe love this place for a morning coffee.
San Remo Fishermans Co-Op
170 Marine Paradegreat fish and chips
Porter Republic
117 Marine ParadeBEANd
157 Marine ParadeGreat food and coffee.
My favorite meal is The Paleo! Carolyn
This place is an absolute must!!!!!!
A little out of the way seaside cafe.
The BEST open burger with the lot!
8 locals recommend
The Boatramp Cafe
1 Anderson RoadThis place is an absolute must!!!!!!
A little out of the way seaside cafe.
The BEST open burger with the lot!
Beaches
Bay beach safe for children and less experienced swimmers. Can get very busy in peak periods.
24 locals recommend
Cowes Beach
The EsplanadeBay beach safe for children and less experienced swimmers. Can get very busy in peak periods.
Bayside beach great for children and less experienced swimmers. Not as busy as Cowes Beach.
18 locals recommend
Red Rocks Beach
18 Appley AveBayside beach great for children and less experienced swimmers. Not as busy as Cowes Beach.
Surfside beach which is quiter than Smiths Beach. Suitable for children at low tide. great beginners surf beach.
YCW Beach
Surfside beach which is quiter than Smiths Beach. Suitable for children at low tide. great beginners surf beach.
Sightseeing
Cowes Jetty
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Penguin Parade
it is recommended to pre book Penguin Parade tickets at peak times, to avoid disappointment.
Late December, January, Easter.
http://www.penguins.org.au/
Getting around
Transport
Public transport is limited to a small number of buses. ideally a car is needed to get around the Island. Or a bike for the fit and dedicated!
The PTV JOURNEY PLANNER website is handy to look up public transport options. PTV stands for Public Transport Victoria.
there are a small number of taxis and one local Uber.
What to pack
Weather
The weather on the Island is more moderate than Melbourne and most of Victoria. Saying that, Melbourne is well known for its weather variability.
Best packing advice is to come prepared for everything!
Don't miss
Shopping and amenities
Cowes is the main shopping and eating area and is 3.4 km Wimbledon Heights.
Supermarkets available in Cowes are Woworhts, Coles, Aldi and IGA. note that the IGA has only a limited range and is much more expensive than the other supermarkets.
Getting around
Getting into Cowes in busy periods
The main road into Cowes can become very congested in busy periods.
There is a back way to head down Ventnor Beach Rd, turn right at Pyramid Rock Rd (dirt) or further in, the round about at Barry's Beach Rd.
Turn right into Settlement Rd
Turn left into McKenzie St
Turn Right into Church St
this will take you up to Thompson Ave, the main road.
Don't miss
Food places
Internet search on
ZOMATO PHILLIP ISLAND
to get reviews for local food places.
https://www.zomato.com/phillip-island-vic/best-phillip-island-restaurants
Getting around
Phillip Island travel in busy periods
In busy periods, getting on and off the Island and in and out of Cowes can be slower than usual.
This includes long weekends, special events and peak holiday periods. Especially first couple of days after Christmas, Easter and Moto Grand Prix.
Allow extra time and avoid travelling in peak times if possible.
A great Facebook Group is called Phillip Island Traffic Check.
Don't miss
Events
Check out these great resources to find events happening locally.
WEBSITES
Visit Phillip Island
http://www.visitphillipisland.com/
Bass Coast Shire Council - Events
https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/explore/whats-on
Bass Coast Post - Community Diary
https://www.basscoastpost.com/diary.html
FACEBOOK
Bass Coast Entertainment & Event Guide
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BassCoastEntertainment/
Go to Facebook Events, and input location as Cowes, Victoria