Phillip Island Victoria Australia
Australia
23
Cruises availables
At departure or passage at this port
Carnival Cruise Line (4 Cruises)
Norwegian Cruise Line (2 Cruises)
Oceania Cruises (7 Cruises)
Oceania Vista
5 Cruises
Silversea Cruises (1 Cruises)
Frequently Asked Questions
Ships anchor in Western Port bay, about 140 kilometres south of Melbourne, and tenders land passengers at the Cowes jetty, the island's main town.
Only if the ship stays at anchor into the evening or you book an excursion arranged for it. The parade happens at dusk, when the little penguins come home from fishing onto Summerland Beach: a daytime call doesn't reach it.
The nightly return of the world's largest little penguin colony, birds about thirty centimetres tall with slate-blue plumage. Boardwalks and viewing stands built by the nature park let you watch without disturbing them, under dimmed light and with no flash photography.
The Nobbies at the western tip, where boardwalks wind along clifftops battered by Bass Strait swell; the koala conservation reserve in the middle of the island; and Cowes, its beach and main street, all walkable from the jetty.
Yes, offshore from the Nobbies: the Seal Rocks reefs hold Australia's largest fur seal colony, thousands of animals visible through binoculars or on the interpretation centre's cameras. To the naked eye at that distance, they read mostly as dark shapes on the rock.
Yes, at the koala conservation reserve, one of Victoria's best chances to see them in their habitat. Raised boardwalks bring you to branch height, where they doze in the forks of the gum trees. Wallabies and echidnas also use the trails, especially late in the day.
The main street runs down to the jetty between cafés, surf shops and shaded terraces, and the beach stretches either side of the pontoon, pale sand and calm water facing the mainland. Everything is walkable, in a relaxed Australian holiday mood.
A small island linked to Phillip Island by a bridge, where a heritage farm keeps up sheep shearing and working dog demonstrations above the bay. It's the rural complement to the wildlife outings.
Fish and chips facing the jetty, local oysters and mussels, artisan ice cream and coffee worthy of Melbourne. Local cheesemakers and chocolatiers offer tastings and shops, enough for a basket of edible souvenirs.
Yes, if you like wildlife. Koalas at branch height, pelicans on the jetty, the calm beach at Cowes and, if the schedule allows, the penguin parade make a programme that holds children's attention without demanding walking.
