Explore Phillip Island the Local Way

Explore Phillip Island with Local Way Tours

Wild coastlines, native wildlife, local flavours and the famous Penguin Parade are all part of a Phillip Island escape. With so much to experience across the island, sometimes the best way to see it is to let a local lead the way.

Local Way Tours offers small-group Phillip Island tours from Melbourne and guided experiences for visitors already staying on the island. Whether you want to fit the highlights into one memorable day or take your time across a longer stay, each option brings together comfortable transport, local knowledge and more time to enjoy the journey.

Phillip Island tours from Melbourne

For visitors staying in Melbourne, Local Way Tours offers two full-day Phillip Island tours. Both travel in small groups of up to 15 guests and combine the island’s wildlife, coastline and local experiences, finishing with the Penguin Parade at sunset.

Phillip Island Wine and Penguins Tour

The Phillip Island Wine and Penguins Tour begins in true Melbourne style, with a complimentary barista-made coffee before travelling south and across the bridge to Phillip Island.

Settle in for a guided wine tasting at Phillip Island Winery, with a shared grazing platter and lunch surrounded by rolling farmland. The afternoon brings a choice between free time in Cowes or an optional visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve, where elevated boardwalks wind through native bushland.

As the light begins to soften, the tour heads west for golden hour at The Nobbies. Take in the rugged coastline, watch for wildlife and enjoy views across Bass Strait before continuing to the Penguin Parade. Here, the day ends with little penguins emerging from the ocean and making their nightly journey home.

With regional food and wine, native wildlife and coastal scenery woven into one day, this tour offers a relaxed taste of Phillip Island from morning through to sunset.

Phillip Island Wildlife Cruise and Penguin Tour

For travellers drawn to the island’s marine life, the Phillip Island Wildlife Cruise and Penguin Tour takes your adventure out onto the water.

After a comfortable trip to San Remo, join Wildlife Coast Cruises for a two-hour cruise to Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest colony of Australian fur seals. Watch thousands of seals resting on the rocks, swimming through the water and playing around the boat in their natural environment.

Back on land, explore Cowes or add a visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve. The journey then continues to The Nobbies, where boardwalks trace the clifftops above the wild southern coastline.

The final stop is the Penguin Parade, bringing together seals, coastal scenery and little penguins in a wildlife-filled day from Melbourne.

Phillip Island tours for overnight visitors

Staying overnight opens up the option to explore Phillip Island at a slower pace. There is time for beach walks, leisurely meals and slow mornings, along with the freedom to explore without fitting everything into a single day.

Local Way Tours offers two options for visitors already staying on Phillip Island, making it easy to see the sights without driving or arranging separate transport.

Phillip Island Explorer Hop-on Hop-off Bus

The Phillip Island Explorer Hop-on Hop-off Bus offers a flexible way to travel around Phillip Island without a car.

The service connects some of the most iconic attractions and destinations across the island, with stops including the Phillip Island Go Karts, Smiths Beach, A Maze’N Things, Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and Pyramid Rock.

Choose the places that interest you, hop off to explore and rejoin the bus when you are ready. Along the way, local driver-guides share stories, practical tips and ideas for what to see next.

It is an easy option for solo travellers, couples and families who want the freedom to shape their own Phillip Island itinerary, with the transport already taken care of.

Phillip Island Golden Hour Penguin Express Tour

As afternoon drifts towards evening, Phillip Island’s western coastline takes on a special kind of beauty. The Golden Hour Penguin Express Tour is created to get the most out of this quieter time of day.

With pickup available from accommodation across Phillip Island and San Remo, the locally guided tour visits scenic beaches and coastal wildlife boardwalks before travelling to The Nobbies at golden hour.

From there, continue to the Penguin Parade to watch little penguins waddle up to their burrows after a day at sea. General viewing admission and return transport are included, so visitors can enjoy the full evening without navigating parking or driving after dark.

For guests staying on the island, it is a relaxed way to experience two of Phillip Island’s most memorable coastal locations in one evening.

Why explore Phillip Island with Local Way Tours?

Phillip Island is about more than just moving from one attraction to the next. It’s about the ocean view that opens up around a bend, the abundant wildlife you just can’t miss and the stories that give each place a little more meaning.

With Local Way Tours, the driving and planning are taken care of, leaving more time for you to watch the coastline roll past, enjoy local food and wine and experience the island at a slower pace.

Small groups create a more personal journey, while local guides offer insights that help visitors feel connected to the places they are exploring. Guaranteed window seating, onboard Wi-Fi and comfortable transport also make the time between stops part of the experience.

For those travelling without a car, Local Way Tours provides practical ways to reach and explore Phillip Island. Visitors can join a day tour from Melbourne or stay longer and utilise the island-based options to discover more at your own pace.

More exploring. Less planning. And a local perspective on the places that make Phillip Island memorable.

Explore the current Phillip Island experiences offered by Local Way Tours..

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Phillip Island without a car?

Yes. Local Way Tours offers guided day tours from Melbourne and island-based experiences for visitors staying on Phillip Island.

What Phillip Island tours depart from Melbourne?

Local Way Tours offers the Phillip Island Wine and Penguins Tour, and the Phillip Island Wildlife Cruise and Penguin Tour. Both include coastal sightseeing and the Penguin Parade, with a choice of food and wine or marine wildlife experiences.

Are there tours departing from Phillip Island?

Yes. Visitors already staying in the region can join the Golden Hour Penguin Express Tour or travel around the island using the Phillip Island Explorer Hop-on Hop-off Bus.

Is there a hop-on hop-off bus on Phillip Island?

Yes. The Phillip Island Explorer Hop-on Hop-off Bus connects selected attractions, towns and coastal locations, allowing visitors to explore without driving.

Can Local Way Tours take visitors to the Penguin Parade?

Yes. The two Melbourne day tours and the Golden Hour Penguin Express Tour include general viewing admission to the Penguin Parade. Upgraded viewing may also be available when booking.

Are Local Way Tours suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. The small-group tours and island transport options are suitable for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups.