Phillip Island

A number of indoor and outdoor family activities, including a hall of illusions, mini-golf, adventure ropes course and the famous maze, which takes an average of 45 minutes to complete. Popular with kids and young families.

The 57-hectare island was originally inhabited by the indigenous Bunurong people, until European settlement in 1801. Lieutenant James Grant planted a number of crops, making it the first European agricultural site in Victoria. A number of the historical buildings still remain, including the original homestead. Today, the island is a fully-working heritage farm, with a number of activities for kids and families, including cow milking, sheep shearing and whip cracking between 2-3:30PM daily. Horse and cart rides also operate from 1PM during school and public holidays. The island is popular to walk around, taking about 1 and a half hours; during the walk, it's possible to see a variety of bird species and farm animals. A modern café and visitor centre also operate on the island.

Two tree-top boardwalks allow visitors to observe koalas up-close in their natural habitat in the gum trees. The centre also has a scenic stroll through Australian bushland, where there is the possibility of seeing wallabies, echidnas and other wildlife. A visitor centre and park rangers provide information on the koalas, their habitat and the conservation effort, while there is also a small gift shop and café.

An educational centre on the island's south-west tip, documenting its flora, fauna and natural rock formations. Visitors can stroll along the windswept boardwalk and potentially see penguins and the gull rookeries for free. Seal Rocks are home to Australia's largest fur seal colony, but at 1.5 km off the coast, can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Instead, there are pay-to-use binoculars or boat tours can be arranged in Cowes. If nothing else, there are spectacular views of coastal scenery.

The island's most popular attraction, the Penguin Parade allows visitors to see dozens of little fairy penguins waddle up from the sea to their nests at sunset. Penguin arrival times vary throughout the year, from about 5:15PM in June to 8:45PM in January; estimated time can be checked on the website. Viewing areas are outdoors, unprotected from rain and wind, and photographs are not allowed after dark. Try to arrive early before the tour buses to get a good seat! There are a variety of more expensive ticket options which offer seats with a better view, enclosed viewing, small group up-close encounters on a private beach, accompaniment by a park ranger, among others. You can also walk around the visitor centre and boardwalks during the day before the parade begins.

A small, pretty, peaceful fishing village at the north-eastern tip of Phillip Island. To the west of Rhyll is the Rhyll Inlet and Conservation Hill Reserve. This network of waterways and wetlands is a significant feeding and breeding area for resident and migratory birds. A pathway which features several sections of boardwalk extends along the coast from Rhyll's town centre and along the southern side of the inlet, then heads inland to the Rhyll Wetlands.

Dedicated to exhibiting and preserving memorabilia from Australia’s longest war. Completely run by volunteers, it houses over 5000 items throughout the fairly basic shed complex, including a full-sized tank, helicopter, howitzer plane and other vehicles at the back. An engaging light and sound video tells the story of the Vietnam War, with some of the displays being interactive. A small café and gift shop are also located on-site.

Offers 7 different tours of the island and surrounding region, from up in the sky! Requires a minimum of 2 passengers and photography is permitted at all times. The airport can also arrange transfers from local accommodation or Melbourne, and can create custom flights on request.