Kids Activities and Places to Go in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island packs a remarkable amount into a single day. We visited as a family and came back with a long list of highlights, from the Penguin Parade at dusk to the boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Reserve. This guide covers what we did, what we’d do again, and a few things that are still on our list for next time. Whether you’re planning a day trip or thinking about staying longer, here’s what you need to know.

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The Penguin Parade

The Penguin Parade is arguably Phillip Island’s main attraction, and thankfully, it’s included in the Philip Island multi-park pass. It’s the only one you need to book, and the penguins come home to the beach every night, rain or shine, so you can take your pick of days.

If you’ve been following us for a while, you might know that we choose not to visit zoos and are careful about supporting anything that involves wildlife.

I was impressed by how the penguin parade is managed and by Phillip Island Nature Parks’ integral role in conservation in this area. So we were happy to visit and see the penguins in their natural habitat.

The penguin parade is a natural phenomenon in which penguins come home from the sea each day at sunset. When you visit the parade, you’re in the right place at the right time to see it happen.

The parade officials are informative and help ensure minimal disruption to the area’s nature and wildlife. Penguins see a different light spectrum than we do, so the unique lighting system lets us see them without disrupting them.

Noise is kept to a minimum, and everyone stays in the designated areas. Cameras are not allowed after sunset, so you cannot take photos of the penguins. Of course, a handful of people are still trying to sneak shots, no matter how many times they’re told.

(Any photos of penguins on this post are downloadable from the Phillip Island Nature Parks website).

It was amazing to watch the little penguins form groups as they came out of the ocean and then decide when it was safe to make a run for their homes in the dunes. We saw a group turn around and run back to the sea when they weren’t sure about one or two birds that swooped too close.

The best part is walking along the boardwalks on the way back and seeing the penguins up close as they do whatever they need to do back home.

The park officials also ensure the boardwalks are cleared around an hour after the penguins start heading home so they can enjoy their night in peace without any humans around.

Penguin Parade: General Viewing Ticket via Get Your Guide

The Koala Conservation Reserve

The Koala Conservation Reserve in Rhyll is one of the most accessible places in Victoria to see koalas in their natural habitat. Check visitor information and reviews on TripAdvisor before you go.

We didn’t see any in the wild, and we weren’t going to go to a zoo, so this was an excellent place to observe them and learn about these iconic, cuddly-looking creatures.

The reserve’s koalas are free to roam. You can walk along two boardwalks and follow trails throughout the park to spot them.

The Rangers give you some clues. They head out in the morning and put up signs telling you to look up in the areas where they’ve spotted the koalas. Maybe they don’t move much, since they can spend about 20 hours a day sleeping and the rest munching on leaves. Their low-energy diet of leaves means they need a low-energy lifestyle!

We were lucky to spot a few that had climbed onto low branches that day. The cutest was watching a mama climb and munch on leaves with her baby on her back.

Philip Island’s koala population is extremely low. I hope it revives like the island’s penguin population, their major success story.

There are about 20 koalas in the reserve. I was surprised to read they have a capacity of only 40. I guess they eat a lot of leaves, so they must ensure they have enough trees for all of them.

The koalas get a bit of a helping hand here. Branches with juicy leaves are taken from areas around the reserve and put near the koalas because there wouldn’t be enough for them to eat otherwise. They also ensure they only have one male in reach of the females at the breeding stage to avoid territory conflicts.

You’ll find information boards at the entrance to learn about the koalas.

Wildlife spotting in Summerlands and the Nobbies

The Nobbies sit at the western tip of Phillip Island, and the views out over Bass Strait alone are worth the stop. The boardwalks extend out over the rocks where you can spot fur seals in the water below, and on a clear day, the outlook is hard to beat. See what other families say about it on TripAdvisor, and here is what we found…

Many, many geese roam everywhere, from the roads to the car park and hillsides.

We also saw lots of wallabies, and if you look closely at the little hillside penguin houses, you might see movement inside them.

We were sure we could see seals popping in and out of the water near the little island off the coast, so it would be an excellent place to bring binoculars.

The Nobbies have a cafe with a spectacular view and are home to the Antarctic Journey exhibit, so you could also plan that into your day.

Drive slowly on the way in and out, and stop to watch the wildlife and enjoy the views from other lookouts in the area.

Churchill Island Heritage Farm

Churchill Island is a short bridge crossing from the main island and feels like a genuine step back in time. It was privately owned in the past but now belongs to the state. You can visit and wander the grounds, watch the animals roaming, and check out the historic buildings.

The heritage farm is a 19th-century working farm that hosts daily demonstrations, including blacksmithing, sheep shearing, and cow milking, which tends to go down well with kids who haven’t seen that kind of thing before.

We arrived too late to see any of those activities, but we did get to feed the gorgeous baby lambs.

They were jumping around with excitement when they knew milk was coming. These little babes had a pretty horrific start to life.

They are lambs that were born on the way to the abattoir?. The lady who was chatting to us said their mums should never have been sent away to be killed when they were that pregnant.

Should animals be sent to the abattoir when they’re pregnant at all? These were the sorts of questions I started asking and issues I started thinking about when I decided to stop eating meat for good more than 20 years ago.

I’m glad the babies were spared. They could have easily not been. These lambs are now destined for long and happy days (hopefully) as pets.

There’s a lot to learn and see at Churchill Island. The setting is gorgeous, and they even have a few outdoor games like Giant Chess and Jenga.

Check TripAdvisor to see whether it’s still part of the Phillip Island 3 Park Pass, which can potentially save you quite a bit of money. (Especially if you also want to visit the Koala Conservation Reserve and see the Penguin Parade).

The Antarctic Journey at Phillip Island Nature Parks

The Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies is an indoor interactive exhibit that gives kids a feel for life on the ice, including the penguin colonies that call Antarctica home. It works well as a daytime activity before the evening Penguin Parade, keeping the wildlife theme running throughout the day. Find out more and check recent reviews on TripAdvisor.

The center features interactive and informative exhibits highlighting Antarctic research and conservation.

You can compare your thermal image to that of an Emperor penguin and see why they’re better adapted to cold environments. Plus, sit at a table, select your chosen seafood meal, and determine its sustainability.

We also liked the short videos about mammals and birds, and the giant board game.

The Antarctic Journey exhibits don’t take long to get through, so combine your visit with a walk around the coastal boardwalks.

Other Family-Friendly Attractions on Phillip Island

While my family and I have visited a few of Phillip Island’s top attractions, there’s a whole other world of places waiting to be explored. Add these to your adventure list if your family is planning a visit.

• Sweeten your trip with a visit to the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, where interactive exhibits and delectable treats await.
• For those who crave a bit of adrenaline, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit offers exhilarating go-karting experiences.
• For a more laid-back day, the beaches at Cowes or Ventnor are perfect for soaking up the sun and playing in the sand.
• For a truly unique experience, head to A Maze’N Things Theme Park, a place full of puzzles, mazes, and delightful optical illusions that will amaze and entertain the whole family.

Each attraction adds another layer of fun and excitement to your Phillip Island visit, ensuring your family trip is filled with joy and memorable moments.

Getting to Phillip Island From Melbourne

Phillip Island is about 140 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, which works out to roughly 90 minutes by car depending on where you’re starting from. The most straightforward route is via the South Gippsland Highway, crossing to the island via the Phillip Island Bridge. There’s no toll.

Public transport is limited, so a car or organized tour is the practical choice for most families. If you’d rather skip the driving, the From Melbourne: Penguin Parade, Koalas and Kangaroos tour handles the return transfer from the city and takes in the headline wildlife experiences in one go. It’s worth checking availability early, particularly in school holidays and peak summer weekends.

Wrapping up…

Phillip Island is the kind of place that earns its reputation. The Penguin Parade alone is worth the drive from Melbourne, but there’s enough here to fill a full day comfortably, and enough left over to justify a return visit. If you’re based in Melbourne and looking for a day trip that delivers something genuinely different, this is it.

Check our Melbourne with kids guide for more ideas on what else is worth doing while you’re in Victoria.

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