A guide to Phillip Island: wildlife, wine and where to stay

Trips to the beach
Phillip Island proudly houses Victoria’s first surfing reserve and is a surfer’s paradise. It’s the perfect place to introduce the little ones to the waves with lessons for beginners and surf clinics for the more advanced. Beaches such as Woolamai are patrolled and swimming is safe here but some areas on the South Coast can be dangerous, so make sure to check conditions before you go.

Admire the wildlife
Forget building sandcastles all day, why not check out some of the animal parks on the island instead. There is something for everyone but families will particularly enjoy the Koala Conservation Centre, where visitors can get a unique glimpse of these creatures living as they would in the wild.

Penguin Parade
Lastly, no visit to Phillip Island would be complete without mentioning the Penguin Parade. Each evening penguins returning from a day’s fishing at sea waddle home up the beach at sunset. The viewing areas include surrounding boardwalks and raised seating that allows visitors to view the penguins without disturbing them.

Whale watching
In the winter months, you can go whale watching off the coast with record numbers of humpback whales being spotted this year. High-speed boat tours by EcoBoat Tours make the journey to neighbouring islands to see the seal colonies, meeting the whales en-route.

Attractions for the whole family
Like a bizarre version of Wonderland, A Maze n’ Things is a great place to spend a fun-filled afternoon getting lost in the mazes and marvelling at the optical illusions and puzzles. There’s also a newly opened Sky Trail and a 10-metre high-ropes course on a series of giant poles and platforms. But don’t panic, there are harnesses involved to keep everybody safe!

The Shearing Shed
The Shearing Shed is a 1950’s working shed that has now been converted to a rustic and cosy restaurant and bar, with a bigger function centre complete with a dance-floor attached. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of Cowes in 20 acres of surrounding farmland. Its seasonal menus and fresh produce mean that the restaurant is one of the best places to get steak on the island and indulge in a few decadent desserts.

The Cape Kitchen
For gluten-free and vegan options, head over to The Cape Kitchen where you can find beautiful beach views and a seasonal menu made up of locally-produced ingredients and an all-Victorian wine list.

San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op
Lastly, for the days with salt in your hair and sand in your shoes, head over to the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op. Located at the gateway to Philip Island, San Remo, this is the best Fish and Chip restaurant on the beach. You can sit outside with hot chips whilst listening to the sound of the ocean and watching the sunset.

Phillip Island Winery
Just minutes from the motorcycle Grand Prix circuit and the Penguin Parade is Philip Island Winery. Run by husband-and-wife team Tim and Tricia, the winery offers cool climate wines in a rural location overlooking the Bass Strait and Berry’s Beach. There’s a warm fire for chilly winter days and they also offer cheese platters and other nibbles. To feel like you really are out in the country, there’s also a folk singer for added ambience.

Purple Hen Winery and Vineyard
Established in 2001 across 7.5 hectares of cool climate vineyards, Purple Hen Winery have now won more than 100 medals and 20 trophies for their variety of red and white wines. Enjoy a generous tasting accompanied by a cheese board whilst drinking in the views of the beautiful vineyard grounds. For a tasty white try the Sauvignon Blanc or an aromatic Riesling. For a red, try ‘The Rooster’, the winery’s popular Pinot Noir.