With its breathtaking scenery, beaches and abundant wildlife, here’s why you should visit Phillip Island in 2023.
Phillip Island is a beautiful wildlife haven and scenic island located in Victoria, Australia. If you are planning a trip to Melbourne, it’s well worth a day trip to the island. You can explore amazing beaches, take in incredible coastal views and see unique Australian wildlife up close.
In this blog, we’ll highlight the top reasons why you should make the trip to this stunning island in 2023.
Why You Should Visit Phillip Island in 2023
Phillip Island Wildlife
Phillip Island is famous for its wildlife, including a large population of penguins, seals, and dolphins. You can witness the famous Penguin Parade, where hundreds of Little Penguins return to the shore at sunset.
Penguin Parade
The main attraction on Phillip Island are the resident Little Penguins that nest on the island’s beaches. They go out to the ocean to fish when they are hungry and at the end of each day you can see them returning to the island with full bellies. They waddle out of the waves and across the sand. But when they reach the sand dunes it’s time to split up and go their separate ways, home to their burrows for a good night’s rest.
Every night of the year on Summerland Beach at the western end of Phillip Island, you can view these penguins returning from the ocean. The Penguin Parade facilities provide seating and boardwalks so you too can walk through the sand dunes and view these penguins up close. All without disturbing the penguins’ daily ritual. It’s an amazing sight and a highlight of any trip to Phillip Island to see these creatures up close.
Whales in Winter
In winter you can witness whales passing by the coast of Phillip Island. They have even been spotted frolicking and searching for food in Western Port Bay. Southern Right whales are the most common, but Humpback whales and even Orcas have been spotted there as well.
These whales make a journey north from Antarctica each year to breed. They give birth to their young in warmer waters before returning to the icy waters down south. There are a few breeding areas or ‘nurseries’ along Victoria’s coastline. But in particular the sea life around Phillip Island seems to attract the whales to that area.
Shearwater Birds
Cape Woolamai is a nesting ground for over one million short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds). Each year the shearwaters fly 8,000 kilometres from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands to Phillip Island. They can be seen on and around the island between September and April.
During this time they build nests in burrows around Cape Woolamai and they fly out to sea during the day for fishing. Around sunset they return to their nests and you can view the magnificent sight of the large flocks of birds returning to the island.
Phillip Island Beaches
Phillip Island’s beaches cater to surfers, swimmers, sightseers – and of course they are home to some wonderful wildlife.
Woolamai Beach
Cape Woolamai at Phillip Island is renowned for its stunning pink granite cliffs, surf beach, and also the incredible wildlife. It is also one of the top surf spots on Phillip Island. But with big swells and beach breaks, it is for experienced surfers. The beach is 4.2 kilometres long and faces south-west into the high waves and westerly winds.
Phillip Island Scenic Walks
There are a number of places to take scenic walks around the island for see breathtaking views of the coastline.
Nobbies Boardwalk
The Nobbies are dome-shaped rock formations off the coast of Phillip Island which provide an important home to the island’s Little Penguins. They can be viewed from the boardwalks at Point Grant and the Nobbies Visitor Centre. Viewing the Nobbies before sunset gives you fantastic views out to the Southern Ocean and across Western Port Bay. If you follow the boardwalks at Point grant they will take you the Nobbies Blowhole. A hollowed-out section of the cliffs where waves crash in and mist sprays back out. But if there is a large southerly swell, the blowhole will be at its most spectacular and is well worth a look.
Seal Rocks
Seal Rocks are flat rocks off the coast of Phillip Island. They are a home to Melbourne’s largest colony of Australian fur seals. They feed in the waters surrounding Phillip Island and can be found resting and sleeping on the rocks. At Point Grant there are binoculars along the boardwalk which can be used to spot the marine creatures out on Seal Rocks.
Don’t miss out on experiencing the natural beauty and wildlife of Phillip Island in 2023. Book at tour to discover it for yourself!
What our Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour includes
- Visit the famous Brighton Beach boxes
- Take a guided tour of the award-winning Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Meet and also feed a wide range of Australian animals including koalas, wombats, dingoes, and more
- Visit Point Grant on Phillip Island to view the Nobbies and Seal Rocks
- Stroll the coastal boardwalks to enjoy amazing panoramic views
- Spend the evening watching the penguins at the world famous Penguin Parade
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
The Parade is at Summerlands Beach, on the southern coast of Phillip Island – just under two hours drive from Melbourne.
What are the different tickets for the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
You can choose from the following ticket options for the Penguin Parade:
- General Viewing – Enjoy tiered seating in our general viewing grandstands overlooking the picturesque Summerlands Beach.
- Penguins Plus – Get up close and personal with the Little Penguins from our extra special Penguins Plus grandstand.
- Underground Viewing – Go underground and watch the Little Penguins waddle right past the window.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
