Culture & History

Phillip Island Culture & History

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Bunurong / Boonwurrung people and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in our community today.

Phillip Island is known by its Traditional Owners, the Bunurong,
as Millowl. It is part of Victoria’s Kulin Nation and is steeped in a cultural history dating back tens of thousands of years.

The social history of Phillip Island dates back over 40,000 years to the Bunurong people, the original inhabitants of the Western Port region. European settlement was not until the early 1800s and Churchill Island is the site of Victoria's first European settlement.

Phillip Island and San Remo is home to a range of interesting and creative galleries and museums including Mingara Gallery, Kelly & Gemelli Art & Design, National Vietnam Veterans Museum and the Antarctic Journey.