Natural Experiences on Phillip Island

Beaches, bush, wildlife and sightseeing - Phillip Island boasts enough breathtaking natural beauty to fill an entire holiday of exploring. The Island is renowned as one of the most varied beach locations in Australia with panoramic coastal scenes of crashing waves for surfing and swimming, and gentle bays for fishing and sailing.

In March 2013 Phillip Island's surfing community celebrated the formal declaration of Victoria's first National Surfing Reserve at Cape Woolamai Beach. Australian surfing legend Layne Beachley hosted the event and said that Phillip Island has always been one of her favorite surfing destinations. The Reserve is made up of four sites along Phillip Island's coast: Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Summerland and Cat Bay.
Smith's Beach on the South Coast has a great swell and is a favorite on the surf scene especially for learners. Cape Woolamai, Berry's Beach and Colonnades are other popular spots, often with waves a little less challenging than Smiths. Coaching and equipment hire is available through local surf shops at the main beaches.

Fishing is a popular pastime on the Island with a large variety of fish to be caught including flathead, snapper, salmon, whiting and flounder. A lazy day can be spent in the fresh sea breeze tossing a line in from jetties at Cowes, Newhaven, Rhyll and San Remo. Charter fishing expeditions are offered from Rhyll and San Remo and hire-boats are available from Cowes, Rhyll and Corinella.

Phillip Island is a compact holiday playground, measuring just 26 kilometres by 9 kilometres and with more than a quarter of this area conserved for the environment, the best and most enjoyable way to get around is to walk or ride a bike. The island boasts many designated tracks and hiking routes suited to all fitness levels and each revealing a different island treasure - its spectacular coast, flora and fauna.

Stand out tracks include: Penguin Parade to the Nobbies that winds around the majestic south coast along a small, unsealed road. Spectacular coastal views and crashing waves can be observed in a one-hour walk or short bike ride. The Bush to Bay track starts at the Koala Conservation Centre and travels through the native bush land to Rhyll. This track is seven kilometers long and is popular for wildlife spotting and discovering the native flora of the island. Kitty Miller Bay lies inside the bordering Watts Point and Kennon Heads, with wide rock platforms at the base of the headlands and reef in between them. Walking east for approximately an hour from the car park along the beach leads to the shipwreck site of the SS Speke, which came to grief in 1904 in strong gale force winds. Remains of the ship can best be seen at low tide when the beach expands to 50 m wide.

Another great way to take in Phillip Island is from the air! Phillip Island Helicopters operate a number of scenic flights and heli-adventures around the area. There are seven flights to choose from, all with unprecedented views of Phillip Island's spectacular scenery. Highlights include the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Cowes and some stunning surf beaches. Flights can also be tailored to suit visitor's needs. www.phillipislandhelicopters.com.au

Phillip Island Golf Club is a beautiful spot to spend a lazy day taking in the Phillip Island scenery and relaxing with friends over a round of golf. Situated close to the beach, the course is regarded as one of the finest layouts in regional Victoria. Measuring 6,003 meters, golfers are able to stroll through its magnificent landscape and spot native flora and fauna while soaking up the open air and sunshine. At the end of the game, groups of ten or more golfers can unwind and refuel with an authentic, gourmet Aussie barbecue at the Phillip Island RSL offering a traditional menu of succulent meats and fresh salads in a buffet styled service.