Phillip Island Family Weekender
Penguin Parade, Churchill Island farm, and a windswept surf lesson at Cape Woolamai.
Phillip Island is the kids' weekend that works. Every evening at dusk, a wild colony of little penguins waddles up the beach at Summerland — it's the drawcard, but the island has enough surf, wildlife and farm activities to fill two days without anyone getting bored.
Highlights
- Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach (book the Underground Viewing)
- Koala Conservation Centre boardwalk through the gum canopy
- Churchill Island heritage farm — sheepdog demos, cow milking
- Cape Woolamai cliff-top walk and easy-break surf beach
- A Maze'N Things for a rainy-afternoon backup plan
Suggested itinerary
- Saturday · 11am
Arrive Cowes
Drop bags, ice cream on the Cowes jetty, short walk to the pier.
- Saturday · 1pm
Churchill Island farm
Ninety minutes of farm animals, blacksmith demos and heritage gardens. Great for under-10s.
- Saturday · 4pm
Koala Conservation Centre
Walk the two boardwalks at koala height — dusk is when they get active.
- Saturday · 6:30pm
Penguin Parade
Gates open 90 minutes before sunset. Book Underground Viewing for sea-level views.
- Sunday · Morning
Cape Woolamai
Beginner surf lesson with Island Surfboards or a 2-hour cliff-top walk to the Pinnacles.
- Sunday · Afternoon
Grand Prix circuit or go-karts
Moto fans can tour the MotoGP circuit. A Maze'N Things is the indoor backup.
Getting there
Two hours from the CBD via the Monash Freeway, South Gippsland Highway and Phillip Island Road bridge. No ferry required.
Eat & drink
- Pino's Trattoria on the Cowes foreshore for pizza
- Harry's on the Esplanade for seafood with a view
- Phillip Island Chocolate Factory for a sugary afternoon
Local tips
- Book Penguin Parade tickets online — the General Viewing sells out on weekends
- No flash photography at the parade (and phones must be set to silent)
- Summerland Beach is cold, windy and dark. Warm jackets even in summer
- Cowes has the best restaurants; don't count on Rhyll or Ventnor for dinner