About the Port
Phillip Island sits in Western Port Bay southeast of Melbourne, linked to the mainland by a bridge at San Remo. Low dunes, surf beaches, and pastoral farmland shape a coastline long valued for its wildlife rather than grand architecture. The island's best-known residents are its little penguins, which return from the sea to their burrows along Summerland Beach at dusk in one of the region's most reliable natural spectacles.
Beyond the penguins, the island supports a colony of Australian fur seals on offshore rocks, a koala conservation reserve, and Churchill Island's historic farm, one of Victoria's earliest European settlements. The town of Cowes, where vessels typically call by tender, offers a walkable waterfront with cafes and views back toward the mainland. Compact and easily explored in a day, Phillip Island rewards travelers with an unhurried look at Australian coastal wildlife in its natural setting.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Phillip Island.
Attend the Penguin Parade
Watch the little penguins waddle ashore at Summerland Beach after dusk; arrive early for a boardwalk viewing spot and expect a 45-minute drive each way from Cowes.
See Fur Seals at the Nobbies
Boardwalks at the island's western tip overlook Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest fur seal colony, with blowhole views and coastal photo stops along the way.
Spot Koalas in the Wild
The Koala Conservation Reserve's elevated treetop boardwalks put visitors at eye level with wild koalas dozing in eucalyptus branches, a quick and easy stop between beaches.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Phillip Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | Holland America | Noordam | 35 | $14,624 | |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Regent | Seven Seas Explorer | 10 | $12,099 | |
| Mar 7, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 13 | $2,808 | |
| Mar 10, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 10 | $1,659 | |
| Mar 29, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 14 | $2,788 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 11 | $1,769 | |
| Dec 5, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 30 | $4,744 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 16 | $2,586 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 42 | $7,444 | |
| Jan 4, 2028 | Oceania | Oceania Vista | 96 | $45,799 | |
| Jan 18, 2028 | Oceania | Oceania Vista | 44 | $21,199 | |
| Jan 18, 2028 | Oceania | Oceania Vista | 18 | $8,099 | |
| Jan 5, 2029 | Silversea | Silver Whisper | 126 | $90,300 | |
| Feb 18, 2029 | Oceania | Oceania Marina | 35 | $11,999 | |
| Feb 27, 2029 | Silversea | Silver Whisper | 14 | $9,300 | |
| Mar 4, 2029 | Oceania | Oceania Marina | 21 | $7,599 |