Phillip Island here we come! When Melbournians want to escape from the city and take some time out to connect with nature, Phillip Island is just the place. Here is our pick of the best beaches to add to your beach bucket list, the most popular things to do for the whole family, and how to get there.
Phillip Island has dramatic ocean backdrops, National parks to explore, and an abundance of wildlife at your doorstep. There’s an adventure for everyone and it’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne.
Cowes is the central hub for shopping and commerce on Phillip Island. Its beaches are the only north-facing beaches in Victoria and the most popular on the island.
These protected, sandy beaches have low winds and gentle waves, making them a popular choice for families.
There’s a real family seaside ambiance here. The kids will love the shallow rocks. There are bike paths, and picnic shelters at either end of the beach. Being the main beach, it’s patrolled and well maintained with excellent facilities. Don’t forget to grab some fish and chips for lunch and enjoy a beautiful day at the seaside.
Cowes beach notes-
- Amenities – Toilets (including a designated accessible toilet), change rooms and cold water outdoor showers
- Parking – Sealed car park, disabled car parking spaces available
- Access – Via stairs, not suitable for wheelchair
- BBQ and picnic facilities are located at Erehwon Point park and Mussel Rocks
- Food – There are many local food stores and cafes nearby providing hot and cold food options.
- There are Lifesavers on duty when the red and yellow flags are displayed.
- For patrol, information visit https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/patrols
- For more information visit www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
If you want something a little more secluded, head to Smiths’ beach. It’s tucked away in a sheltered bay on the south coast of the island and is considered one of the best beaches on the island.
Known for its consistent waves, making it ideal for beginners to advanced surfers, bodyboarders and stand up paddle boarders. Low tide is perfect for snorkelling.
This beach is dog friendly, however, you have to keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Smiths beach notes-
- Amenities – Toilets (including a designated accessible toilet), change rooms, and cold water outdoor showers
- Parking – Sealed car park, disabled car parking spaces available
- Food – The local store provides hot and cold food, drinks, and coffee
- Hire – Surfboards, paddleboards, wetsuits, and surfing lessons are available for hire through the local surf shop
- Access – Via ramp or stairs, easy access ramp from the car park to the beach is wheelchair friendly
- This beach can have strong rips and currents
- Lifesavers are only on duty when the red and yellow flags are displayed.
- For patrol information visit https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/patrols
- For more information visit www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
kitty miller bay beach
Kitty Miller Bay greets you with an unruly display of wild jagged rocks and incredible rock pools. it hands down wins the prize for the most interesting beach on Phillip Island, not only because of its unique landscape, it has it’s very own shipwreck. Kitty Miller Bay greets you with an unruly display of wild jagged rocks and incredible rock pools.
In 1905 the SS Speke crashed onto the rocks near Kitty Miller Bay on the southern coastline. The Speke was one of the largest three-masted steel sailing ships ever built, sadly, it met its fate when the captain mistook the bay for Cape Shank.
Kitty Miller Bay is a picturesque, circular bay with a large rock platform that becomes exposed at low tide, making it a fantastic spot for snorkeling.
The beach stretches 500 metres long and has fantastic rock pools at low tide. Waves break towards the drop-off of the platform, forming sound waves for surfers on the high tide.
It’s a unique place to swim at high tide and explore the many curiosities the low tide has to offer. Feeling like a hike? Then head to the SS Speke, and discover explore the remains that are still visible when the water is low.
Kitty miller bay beach notes-
- Parking – A Gravel car park
- Food – No- BYO The closest cafes and shops are located in Cowes, a 10-minute drive away
- Access – Easy via stairs, not suitable for wheelchairs
- The beach has strong rips and currents.
- Not patrolled by Lifesavers
- For more information visit www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
Woolamai is one of the most popular Phillip Island surf beaches comprising three surf beaches – Woolamai/Magic Lands, Anzacs, and The Colonnades.
The south-facing surf beach is a beautiful long stretch of beach, backed by sand dunes, and is one of the most popular surfing spots on the island.
Woolamai/Magic Lands- surf beach
The main surf beach and venue for professional surfing events.
- Parking for about 250 cars
- Toilets, change rooms, and showers
- Beach access via a stairway
- The beach is patrolled from December 26 to January 26, then weekends and public holidays until Easter Monday
- Respect shearwater rookeries
- Shop selling drinks, ice creams, sunscreen, etc
Anzacs
- Lookout on dune top
- Parking for about 40 cars
- Toilet facilities
- Beach access via sand-covered steps
- Not patrolled
- Beware dangerous currents
- Respect shearwater rookeries and hooded plover habitat
The Colonnades
- A small informal car parking area
- No toilets
- Beach access via a stairway
- Not patrolled
- Beware dangerous currents
NEWHAVEN BEACH, best campground/caravan park
If you fancy a spot of camping with the penguins and koalas, this is the place for you. The BIG4 campground and caravan park sits on a nature reserve between Newhaven Beach and wetlands. It has top facilities including toilets, showers, a laundry and a kiosk, a giant jumping pillow, a basketball ring, a games room and buggy hire. You can book a range of cabins, camp or caravan.
What to do on phillip island
- Swim. Snorkel. Surf.
- Camp on the beach under the stars.
- See the wonderful Penguin Parade
- Explore the beautiful coastlines and walking trails.
- See a motorcycle and car racing events at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
- Have a romantic sunset picnic
- Read a book and soak up the Vitamin D
- Go hiking
- Visit wineries and breweries
for the kids
Let’s start with the chocolate factory!
- Visit the chocolate factory
- Get amongst the roaring engines of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix or the V8 Supercars.
- Visit puzzle island, get shrunk in the shrinking room, be confused in the gravity room, and get lost in the mirror maze at Amazenthings
- Visit magic manor to discover a Time Machine, flying chandelier, mysterious caves, and magic rabbits at Amazenthings
- Go on the Skyrail
- Mini golf
- Go Go-Kart racing
take me to Phillip island
bY CAR
Just a 90-minute drive south of Melbourne Phillip Island makes a great day trip. Take the Monash Freeway (M1) to the Cranbourne exit, where you will turn into the South Gippsland Highway (M420). Follow this route to the Bass Highway (A420), through Grantville and Bass, then onto the Phillip Island Road (B420) to San Remo, over the bridge onto Phillip Island.
By Bus
By far the cheapest and easiest way to get to Phillip Island without a car.
V/Line bus services run between Southern Cross Station in Melbourne and several towns on Phillip Island including Newhaven, Cape Woolamai, Surf Beach, Sunderland Bay and Cowes.
The journey from Melbourne requires a change of bus at Koo Wee Rup (very easy and usually no waiting required) and takes around 2 hours to get to the San Remo bridge, and a further 20 to 25 minutes to Cowes.
Refer to the V/Line timetable for Melbourne to Cowes.
By Train and Ferry
You can catch a suburban train from Melbourne to Frankston (1 hour), then switch onto a service which runs from Frankston to Stony Point (35 minutes). There is a passenger ferry service from Stony Point (on the Mornington Peninsular) to Cowes. The boat trip takes around 45 minutes, usually with a stop at French Island.
Best Time to visit
- Summer
- Go mid-week to avoid the crowds.
Most parks and visitors sites that were closed under public health measures have now re-opened. Please check individual sights before you travel in case of any covid restrictions they may have recently changed.
So thats a wrap on the best beaches on Phillip Island. I hope you have a chance to enjoy them this summer.
