A Guide to Summer on Phillip Island

A Guide To A Phillip Island Summer

Near enough to reach on a short drive from Melbourne but far enough to feel like you’ve had a real escape, Phillip Island is Victoria’s holiday sweet spot this Summer!

And the good news? Phillip Island is just under two hours from Melbourne. Escape your normal routine and pack your bags for a mid-week getaway, short stay or a week-long holiday. Now is a great time to plan a late January and February getaway!

With 360° of coastline, the island offers endless opportunities to admire some of Victoria's most stunning scenery and wildlife. If you are looking for entertainment, Phillip Island offers a diverse range of experiences, from family fun activities, cruises and wildlife experiences to wineries, breweries and waterfront dining.

🚗How To Get Here and Around

Planning a summer trip to Phillip Island? Just 90 minutes - two hours south of Melbourne, Phillip Island is accessible via a bridge from the mainland. Please allow extra time during the summer holidays and weekends to get to Phillip Island.

🖍Plan your trip: www.visitphillipisland.com.au

🎫Pre-book your tickets to avoid disappointment - tickets to several attractions, including the Penguin Parade, are selling fast and are sold out on several dates.

🚗Check traffic conditions: Visit traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

⏰Start your journey early: Take snacks and water. Often, on weekends, the traffic to the island can become heavy and congested.

🍶Pack Your Reusables: Take snacks and water. Reduce waste by bringing reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. It’s an easy way to stay eco-friendly while enjoying island life.

🚌 Need transport around Phillip Island? Local Way Tours new Phillip Island Explorer - Hop On Hop Off Bus is the perfect way to get around the island. This new hop-on-hop-off bus stops at a variety of key attractions and towns including, Cowes, San Remo, Phillip Island Winery, Smiths Beach and more!

🏖️Beaches Phillip Island

It's no secret that Phillip Island is home to beautiful beaches, from bay beaches on the north to surf beaches on the south. Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club patrols Cowes Main Beach, Smiths Beach, and Cape Woolamai (for experienced swimmers only) during December and January. To help you stay safe, we encourage everyone to download the Surf Life Saving Beach Safe app and access important information available on the Life Saving Victoria website and throughout the Visitor Information Centres.

📢 We strongly recommend checking out their patrol times HERE.

Respect the Ocean: Be mindful of strong currents and tides. Always supervise children near water. Don't know how to spot a rip? Find out here– it could save your life.

Beaches Phillip Island - Where should i go?

👩‍👧‍👦For families and beachgoers, Cowes Main Beach (included in the top 10 best beaches in Australia for 2025) is recommended for its low waves, sheltered foreshore, picnic tables and close access to toilets, amenities, restaurants, shops and of course, ice cream! It is also patrolled during the summer.

🏄Smiths Beach is a great option for beachgoers searching for waves to bodyboard or surf, and you can explore the rock pools at low tide. Please swim only during patrolled hours and between the flags at all times.

🐨Wildlife On Phillip Island - Keep Them Safe

Slow down and look out for wildlife: Phillip Island is home to a huge range of wildlife. Please take care on the roads. To report sick, injured, orphaned or deceased wildlife to Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Emergency Response Service, call 03 8400 7300.

Keep a Safe Distance: Phillip Island is home to amazing animals like wallabies, echidnas, snakes, lizards and koalas. Admire them from afar and avoid touching or feeding them.

Stick to Designated Paths: Help protect delicate habitats by staying on walking trails and boardwalks. Stay away from cliff edges and the base of coastal cliffs – do not sit or stand within 10 metres of edges.

Watch for Wildlife: Many native animals are active at dawn and dusk. Drive slowly and keep an eye out for wildlife crossing the roads.

Park Responsibly: Use designated car parks to avoid damaging vegetation or disturbing wildlife habitats.

Phillip Island has an abundance of unique wildlife that call our shores home. To safely share our shores and offer our wildlife the best chance to thrive;

🐧Stay on paths and away from the dunes and rock cliffs

🦘Keep a distance from wildlife

🌊Keep dogs on a lead, and cats must be contained indoors in the Bass Coast Shire

- Dogs on beaches enforcement applies, see the " Walking Your Dog " brochure

🗑️Take your rubbish with you

🛶Water Activities Phillip Island

Keen to spend as much time as you can outdoors and on the water?

For scenic cruises, including a trip to see Australia's largest fur seal colony, check out Wildlife Coast Cruises' fantastic informative and relaxed tours. If you are looking for something to get your heart pumping, Ocean Adventures offers jet boat and thundercat tours. For something adventurous and scenic, let Pioneer Kayaking take you on a sea kayak tour to witness some of Phillip Island's best scenery, including Cape Woolamai and Rhyll.

Have you always wanted to learn how to surf? Now is the time! Island Surfboards at Smiths Beach offers surf lessons all year round, and they are a great way to learn about the local environment and have fun! If you feel like soaking up the views while relaxing, check out Phillip Island Sauna!

Book a fishing charter with Better Than Working Charters, Newhaven Fishing Charters, or head to one of the many jetties and piers to try your luck! For all your fishing supplies, check out Jim's Bait and Tackle in San Remo.

A fishing licence is required for leisure fishing (available here) in Western Port, and there are regulations on the minimum size of fish, bait gathering and the techniques allowable for taking of various species. There are also strict regulations for boaters regarding approaching wildlife such as whales. Please make sure you are familiar with these regulations to avoid getting fined.

🥗 Where To Eat & Drink Phillip Island

Balmy summer nights are all about soaking up the last rays of sunshine, enjoying delicious food and a cold drink after a big day out exploring or relaxing. Cowes is the main township of Phillip Island and offers the most variety of eateries, pubs and bars. Enjoy Fish N Chips on the foreshore or a meal with a view at Beach HQ Restaurant and Bar, Isola Di Capri, Pinos Trattoria, Hotel Phillip Island, Banis Restaurant and Bar, Phillip Island RSL, Chaple Lane Restaurant and Bar, Rusty Water Brewery and Restaurant, or North Pier Hotel.

Where to eat in San Remo

San Remo is a breezy coastal town located at the gateway to Phillip Island, offering a range of eateries. If you are after traditional pub fare, the San Remo Hotel and the Westernport Hotel are where you will find cold drinks and meals. And if you want to enjoy a summer sunset, eating the freshest fish n chips, the San Remo Fisherman's Co-Op is a must-do.

For spectacular views just over the bridge at Newhaven, don't miss Saltwater Phillip Island. The Wooli Tavern and Bang Bang Bar and Food in Cape Woolamai are local favourites for great food and vibes.

Shop Local: Explore the island’s markets, boutiques, and eateries to support the community and discover unique treasures.

For a comprehensive list of cafes, restaurants, wineries and breweries -Click Here

🎉'What's On' Phillip Island

From music festivals and swim-run events to local markets. Find out 'what's on' Phillip Island this summer -Click Here

Nothing beats live music and watching some of Australia's best local acts. Check out the Wooli Tavern, North Pier Hotel, and Westernport Hotel for local gigs.

For special summer music and events, check out Phillip Island Winery, Purple Hen Winery, San Remo Hotel and Hotel Phillip Island.

For live music details – Click Here

🐨Attractions Phillip Island - Things To Do and See

During the summer months, attractions such as the Penguin Parade, Wildlife Coast Cruises and Ocean Adventures often book out in advance, so it's best to pre-book to avoid disappointment. The Penguin Parade is selling out fast; please check availability before departing.

If you plan to visit several attractions, passes such as the Phillip Island PIE Pass or the Phillip Island Nature Parks 3 Park Pass are a great way to bundle and save.

For things to do and see – click here

🏡Where To Stay on Phillip Island

Planning on staying a night or two, or even a week on Phillip Island this summer?

With so many things to see and do, you’ll want to stay a little longer. Summer on Phillip Island is one of the busiest times of the year, and whilst there is a huge variety of accommodation, many places book out well in advance, so be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment. If you need help finding accommodation, call the Phillip Island Information Centre on 1300 366 422 for a free accommodation booking service.

For all accommodation, click here