Twenty Great Things to Do on Phillip Island

Twenty Great Things to do in Phillip IslandI have been visiting beautiful Phillip Island for decades now. Back since I was toddling around grabbing on to my Mum’s legs in her mini skirt for support.

I recall being able to clamber along the secluded rock shelf at Seal Rocks and being able to drive up a dirt road at night to see penguins waddling in along the shore at night without buying a ticket.

Back then Phillip Island was full of beach shacks and green space and not much else. Pizza from the Italian restaurant that still stands today was very exciting and exotic and buying food from the bakery was a must do. There was a hot nut bar in a kind of games arcade that we once visited at night to buy something exciting; roasted macadamia nuts smelling of Queensland and covered in salt.

There were far fewer houses on the Island and the drive in from the bridge to Cowes was mainly bare and green. I remember the first time I noticed a cafe serving brunch in the main street. I think it was probably something like $12 for a “big breakfast.” Exciting times.

Reportedly there was also a time where council considered giving building approval for houses to be built all along the coastline which would have decimated the penguin population and also meant that there would be no “penguin parade” visit for Melbourne kids; something that is basically a Victorian right of passage. It is hard to believe that anyone could be so short-sighted to sell of such pristine coastline but it is also hard to believe that a small group of locals were brilliant enough to see what was happening and fight successfully against it.

These days Philip Island is bustling and busy, no matter what time of year you visit. Tourists love it and so do local Melbournians and it is occasionally bursting at the seams when we all visit there at the same time.

Despite the busyness there are still a great many things to love about Phillip Island and even some secret gems. Here are 15 of them.

Penguin Parade. I had to start with the absolute best. Everybody loves the penguins and you should attend the official penguin parade at least once in your life. So much cuteness.
The Nobbies. These days the Nobbies have gone all fancy on us with a great big car park and a great fancy Nobbbies Centre to boot. Traditionalists will still be impressed though with those amazing views, plenty of board walks to stomp along, a breathtaking blow-hole and seals to observe.
Swim, surf, take to the water. So many good beaches. Phillip Island has a great variety of beaches from the wild to the mild. You can surf, you can paddle you can stare out serenely. Wollamai Surf beach is an impressive surf beach, as is Smiths beach. They will both be wonderfully busy in Summer. Cowes beach is more your flat and calm family variety beach offering paddle boats and endless grassy knolls for the eating of fish and chips.
Koala Conservation Centre. Go on, you know you want to see a Koala because we all do because we are but human. Check out the Koala Conservation Centre to get up close and personal.
Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Whip cracking, sheep sharing, caramel slice eating and connecting with cattle, there is a lot to do at this 19th century working farm.
Grand Prix Circuit including the Go Kart track and slot cars for the littlies.
Markets. There is an interesting variety of markets to choose from throughout the year at Phillip Island and a lot of them are scenic and fun. Keep an eye out for the wonderful Christmas markets.
Fishing. Fishing off the pier, fishing off the other pier. Fishing at the beach, fishing in a boat. I think you get the picture. You can even go fishing at the Rhyll Trout farm and be guaranteed a bite if you are a bit of a beginner.
Take a bike ride. The island is an excellent place to take your bikes and have an explore. There are a bunch of designated cycling trails but my favourite is the 18km Rhyll circuit.
Rhyll Trout and Tucker Farm.– Update 8/8/18- Sadly now closed. The Rhyll Trout and Tucker Farm has a great selection of indoor and outdoor lakes to fish from meaning your almost guaranteed a catch. You can also head to the cafe kitchen when your done and have your fresh trout cooked up for you then and there. I also really enjoyed the tucker farm trail which weaves throughout the property and has a lot of information about native and edible plants.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. This chocolate factory is secretly wonderful, although please don’t tell my children as they always beg to go. There are interactive, arcade style games for children and chocolate to be won and discovered. There is also a plethora of information about how chocolate is made. And a chocolate statue of David. You can’t forget the statue.
Feed the pelicans at Rhyll. Every morning at around 11.30 am you can head off the Island and just over the bridge to the Rhyll pier and watch the locals pelicans come and eat raw fish guts. You might like to explore the wonderful local beaches or check out the local cafes and stores while you are there. There is a playground on offer for busy children (or adults for that matte).
Visit Kitty Miller bay beach (may favourite beach) and check out the pure modern, brutalist architecture of Phillip Island House (1983) hidden in the hill.
Image courtesy of https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/phillip-island-house

If you are really interested in architecture you also might like to check out the Rhyll yacht club building or keep your eyes peeled for the iconic chicory kilns.
Walk the Pier and everywhere else too. You might even like to jump off the jetty in Summer months if you are brave or foolish or both.
Discover a ship wreck. There are two apparently but my favourite can be accessed by walking along the clifftop and around the path at Kitty Miller Bay.
Explore the Forrest beach sea caves. The turn off for the Phillip Island caves lies between Cape Woolamai and Surf Beach and there is a designated car park and a small walk before you get there.
Wander along the Rhyll wetlands and conservation Hill Reserve.
Shop, sip, eat, shop again. There are a great variety of shops still on Phillip Island. These days some of them are fancy and gorgeous and some of them are very practical but you can still find great bookshops and weird “cheap” shops and an impressive variety of cafes and restaurants.
Surf the Sand Dunes at Spew Hill. I have never personally done this myself, seeing as I am a bit of a boring nerd-burger but I am assured it is most fun and excellent and full of thrills.
Experience nature. Driving and walking throughout the Island you will come across a variety of animals, birds and crustaceans. We are distant but kind to the Cape Barron Geese, delighted at the swarming tiny sea crabs and mildly interested in the wallabies and Kangaroos.

So, what is your favourite thing to do on Phillip Island?

I have definitely not mentioned everything and there are some other great things to do in Phillip Island that are specifically tailored to tourists and families.

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