Holiday houses in Phillip Island

Phillip Island sits in Westernport Bay around 140 kilometres south of Melbourne. The island is attached to the mainland via a bridge from the town of San Remo. While it is only 25 kilometres long and nine kilometres wide, it packs a lot of natural wonder and attractions into a small space. The island boasts some of the best surf beaches in the country — it’s been declared Victoria's first National Surfing Reserve for its quality breaks and pristine environment, best illustrated at beaches like Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, and Cat Bay.

Phillip Island is also known for being a paradise for wildlife including kangaroos, koalas and the island’s most famous inhabitants — more than 30,000 fairy penguins who parade their way out of the ocean every evening, to find their burrows scattered around the Island. Another highlight is the Seal Rocks at the Nobbies, which are home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony.

The most pleasant time to visit the Island is September to November and March to April when the days are mostly sunny and dry, perfect for exploring the island’s many attractions. The popular Phillip Island Jazz Festival takes centre stage in November, bringing musicians from far and wide for three days of live music in the town of Cowes. Summer at Phillip Island offers warm, long days and pleasant nights for enjoying all the water activities on offer at the beach. Just be aware that the weather is changeable on the island, even in summer — so it’s a good idea to pack a coat, along with a hat and sunscreen. Whenever you visit, you’ll find holiday houses and rentals on Phillip Island for all tastes and budgets.

Churchill Island

Churchill Island is the site of the first farm in Victoria and offers fascinating insight into Australia’s pioneering history and 19th-century farming techniques. You can wander through the original homestead and traditional gardens at your own pace. Take time to stroll along the walking paths too, which provide a great place to spot local wildlife. There’s also a café on the island for when you need to stop for a bite and a coffee.

The Nobbies

Wander the 500 metres of cliff-top boardwalks at The Nobbies for spectacular ocean views of Bass Strait. Along the way you will see the explosive blowhole caused by waves smashing into a large sea cave, creating a large jet of water soaring into the sky. Look out to the Seal Rocks, which is home to Australia's largest fur seal colony. You may even spot a fairy penguin here.

Cowes

Cowes is the main town on Phillip Island and offers restaurants, cafes, galleries, and artisan stores full of unique gifts and souvenirs. Cowes Beach is also known for its calmer waters, which provides some of the best conditions for swimming and watersports on the island. Take a sunset stroll along The Esplanade, the main street, and onto the pier for spectacular ocean views looking out to Victoria’s mainland.