Your Ultimate Phillip Island Wildlife Guide
So, you've ticked off wildlife attractions like the Melbourne Zoo from your Australia bucket list already and now, you want more.
Not to worry, you’re in for a real treat!
Just a two-hour drive from the heart of Melbourne, in the gorgeous southern state of Victoria, you’ll find Phillip Island—a true gem with its stunning, near-untouched nature.
From conservation-focused nature parks to adorable up-close encounters with penguins, koalas, and kangaroos, Phillip Island really wraps you in its warm embrace at every turn. Whether you’re a nature lover or just after some family fun, this place is sure to create some unforgettable memories.
Need help planning your itinerary? Check out our list of top Phillip Island wildlife attractions and some other exciting experiences you won’t want to miss:
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Viewing the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is one of the most unique experiences in Australia.
Watch the rare Melbourne fairy penguins on Phillip Island, also called little penguins, dash home after sunset at the beautiful Summerlands Beach.
Witness these cute critters as they surface from the ocean and waddle to their burrows in the sand as the daylight dies.
Also, watch for swamp wallabies, eastern barred bandicoots, short-tailed shearwaters, and cape barren geese.
There is a guided ranger tour for the more adventurous-minded, where your guide will share personal conservation stories, details about the penguins' breeding and thriving, and more.
Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia (map)
How to Go: A 90-minute drive away from Melbourne in a private car. The V-line bus takes you to the main town, Cowes, but not to the Penguin Parade. However, there are no return buses at night. Rental cabs are your best bet.
Hours: Open daily, 5pm to 9pm
Koala Conservation Reserve
Want a close-up look at the adorable koalas of Australia?
Explore lush native bushland and spot cute koala bears bundled up on branches single, in pairs, or a group.
There are two treetop boardwalks for up-close viewing and interaction.
The Woodland Boardwalk is a 600m loop, while the Koala Boardwalk is an 800m course - both easy and done in 20 minutes.
Look out for echidnas, wallabies, and colourful native birds as well.
Address: 1810 Phillip Island Rd, Rhyll VIC 3923, Australia (map)
How to Go: Takes around 90 minutes to drive from Melbourne in a four-wheeler. The V-line bus takes you to the main town, Cowes. Rental cabs are the best options.
Hours: Open daily, 10am to 6pm. Last entry to the boardwalk is 30 minutes before closure.
Antarctic Journey (Nobbies Centre)
Interested in spending a couple of hours getting to know about the Antarctic flora and fauna?
Enjoy an immersive and interactive experience at the Antarctic Journey, courtesy of spectacular audio-visual footage on floor-to-ceiling screens.
Watch how the whales migrate, how dolphins communicate within their pods, how seals hunt, and more.
You can even partake in activities at the 'Feel the Freeze' sone, with the atmospheric ambience of the Antarctic.
Learn what the animals in the permafrost region sound like and what their anatomy is made of at the Sound Lab and Research Station as well.
Address: 1320 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia (map)
How to Go: You can drive for 90 minutes from Melbourne or take the V-line bus to the main town, Cowes. Rental cabs are the best options.
Hours: Open daily, 10am to 6pm. Last entry at 4pm
Churchill Island
Site of the first-ever European garden in Victoria, Churchill Island, is a preserved farm with cottages and homesteads dating back to the 19th century.
Before colonisation, it was the home of the native Boonwurrong people, who are still the traditional custodians of the place.
Explore a range of hiking and cycling trails, as well as engage in daily farm activities to taste medieval life on the island.
The Churchill Island loop (4.5km), North Point loop (2km), and Wadjil’garook Wetland (1km) are the popular trails to walk.
Among scheduled farm activities, you can try your hands at cow milking, sheep shearing, and blacksmithing, among others.
Don't forget to savour a hearty breakfast or coffee and cake made of fresh, farm-made products from the cafe!
Address: 246 Samuel Amess Dr, Churchill Island VIC 3925, Australia (map)
How to Go: A bridge connects Phillip Island to Churchill Island, which is around 1.5-2 hours away from Melbourne. Ideal to take a cab or private car.
Hours: Mon to Fri, 10am to 5pm, Sat & Sun, 9am to 5pm. Last entry at 4pm. Farmer's Market on Sat: 8am to 1pm
Daily Activities:
Blacksmithing: 10:30am
Cow milking: 2:10pm
Sheep shearing: Weekends, 2:30pm
Working dogs: 2:45pm
Whip cracking: 3pm
Fur Seals and Wildlife Cruise
This fascinating 2-hour cruise ride takes you to Seal Rocks, where lies Australia's colony of endemic fur seals.
Witness thousands of seals resting on the rocks, playing around, and swimming along as the cruise ship sails by.
You may also spot dolphins and a wide variety of sea birds.
Try this one-of-a-kind cruise, including educational commentary on the local ecology and environment as you're served with afternoon tea.
Departure: The Jetty, Phillip Island, The Esplanade, Cowes VIC 3922, Australia (map)
How to Go: You can take a passenger ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula, 1.5 hours away from Melbourne, to Cowes Jetty via French Island. By roadway, take the bridge that connects the mainland with Phillip Island.
Hours: Daily, 2pm (Boarding 15mins prior)Extra cruises in summer: 11am and 4pm
Whale Watching at Phillip Island
The stunning coastal scenery of Phillip Island comes bearing a fascinating gift in the form of an incredible whale-watching experience.
From May to October, the southern right whales, humpback whales, and occasionally killer whales migrate along the coast of Victoria.
These massive mammals can be easily spotted roaming beneath the water's surface.
The Whale Discovery Trail, running from Eagle's Nest on the east to Cowes on the west, will lead you to some viewing points.
Top spots include The Nobbies, Cape Wollamai, Pyramid Rock, and Summerland.
For a more up-close look, get yourself a seat on a whale-watching cruise in Phillip Island.
Usually inclusive of informative commentary by the crew and complimentary refreshments, these cruises take you to the spots with visibility and thus offer an immersive experience.
You may also spot dolphins, seals, and seabirds on these cruises.
Phillip Island Moonlit Sanctuary
Discover the diverse beauty of Australia's wildlife at this award-winning sanctuary.
You can explore a plethora of interactive activities, such as encounters with Phillip Island wallabies, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, kookaburras, pythons, goshawks, dingos, and barn owls.
Engage with the animals, feed them, and even cuddle with some fuzzier ones. Phillip Island's Moonlit Sanctuary also conducts lantern-lit nightly tours.
Address: 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale VIC 3912, Australia (map)
How to Go: Take the Monash Freeway (M1) and the Westernport Highway (M780) from Melbourne to reach in 1-1.5 hours. From the southern peninsula, take the Great Ocean Road via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
Hours: Daily, 9:30am to 4pm. Last entry at 3pm. Closed on December 25.
Tickets:
Adult: AUD 29
Child (age 4-17): AUD 15
Child under age 4: Free
Senior citizens: AUD 26
Maru Koala and Animal Park
If cuddling a koala or hand-feeding a kangaroo was on your bucket list for the Australia tour, this is where you can check them off.
Maru Koala and Animal Park in Phillip Island offers the perfect opportunity to interact with a bunch of animals, such as koalas, kangaroos, dingoes, gilders, and cassowaries.
There are more animals to witness in their respective natural enclosures as well, like Tasmanian devils, wombats, quolls, and reptiles.
You should also try a round or two at Pirate Pete's Mini-Golf Adventure with 18 holes of exciting fun.
Finally, head to Homestead Bistro at the end of the day for a refreshing meal.
Address: 1650 Bass Hwy, Grantville VIC 3984, Australia (map)
How to Go: A 15-minute drive from Phillip Island and 1.5 hours from Melbourne. The nearest bus stop to the animal park is Queensferry.
Hours: Daily, 9:30am to 5:30pm. Last entry at 4:30pm. Closed on Christmas Day.
Tickets:
Adults: AUD 30
Child: AUD 16
Senior citizens: AUD 20
Family: AUD 85
Koala feeding: Starts from AUD 75
Dingo, reptile, gilder, cassowary, and koala experiences: Start from AUD 55
Meeta a lizard/snake: Starts from AUD 35
Pirate Pete's Mini-Golf:
Adult: AUD 16
Child: AUD 10
Senior citizen: AUD 12
Family: AUD 44
Need a break from Phillip Island wildlife? Try out these marvels!
A Maze N Things Theme Park
Take a break from the natural bounties of Phillip Island and discover an exciting world of puzzles, illusions, and mazes for hours of adventure that your family will absolutely enjoy.
Get lost in the Mirror Maze, go gold-hunting at Pirate McGuffie's Treasure, drop down the LookOut Slide, and indulge in wild interactive exhibits in Magic Manor.
Play a round at Maxi Mini-Golf, find your way out of the Giant Maze, and unleash the adrenaline junkie in you at the SkyTrail zip-line.
Address: 1805 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes VIC 3922, Australia (map)
How to Go: Take the Bass Highway to Phillip Island Rd from Melbourne and drive for 10km to reach the attraction. Bus lines 907 and 901 also go to the destination.
Hours: Open daily, 9am to 6pm. Last entry at 3pm
Tickets:
Adult (16 years and over): AUD 42
Child (3-15 years): AUD 28
Family (2 adults and 2 children): AUD 126
Children (3 years and under): Free
Maxi Mini-Golf:
Adult (16 years and over): AUD 19
Child (3-15 years): AUD 15
Family (2 adults and 2 children): AUD 61
Children (3 years and under): Free
Phillip Island Winery
Set on the south coast, the 14-acre property of Phillip Island Winery boasts owned vines and stunning landscapes to brag about on your Instagram feed.
Walk down to the cellar for a quick taste of delectable homegrown wines - Pinot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blak, Moscato, and more.
If you like one, you can also purchase the bottle for yourself!
Alternatively, enjoy it with the lunch spread served at the diner with endless options - a mouthwatering BBQ, the catch of the day from the ocean, or a simple Sunday roast - you name it, you got it.
Address: 414 Berrys Beach Rd, Ventnor VIC 3922, Australia (map)
Hours:Mon to Fri, 11am to 5mpSat & Sun, 11am to 5:30pm
The Koalas and Kangaroos are Waiting for You
With our comprehensive guide in your hand, you can now freely explore the acres of Phillip Island wilderness.
There's no better place in southern Australia to spend a weekend cradled in the lap of nature!
Commonly Asked Questions
Which animal is Phillip Island famous for?
Phillip Island is the home to the colony of little penguins in Australia, which is what the place is famous for.
Which animals are commonly spotted in Phillip Island?
You can usually spot kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, little penguins, wombats, possums, dingoes, and Australian fur seals.
Are there any endangered species that inhabit the island?
The eastern barred bandicoot, a small nocturnal marsupial, is a highly endangered species in Phillip Island and the rest of Victoria.
Can I interact with wallabies and other animals on the island?
Certain Phillip Island wildlife sanctuaries offer packages where you can enjoy interactive sessions with the animals. It is highly recommended not to approach the animals without the supervision of authorities.
Which is the best time to see animals on Phillip Island?
The warmer months from October to March are ideal to spot land animals. For whale watching, May to October is best suited.