Phillip Island is an Australian island known for its breathtaking views, animal and marine life, and interesting attractions. Take a scenic drive around the island to experience its highly decorated features and picturesque landscapes. The western part of the island is especially ideal for road trips, offering stunning background sceneries at every glance. From dense bush and steep cliffs overlooking the sea on one end to untouched beaches and animal parks on the other, these scenic routes create numerous opportunities for sightseeing and photography. Whether you love exciting activities or prefer a leisurely stroll, Phillip Island will impress you with its beautiful drives. In this article, we will focus on the most beautiful drives on the island, points of interest along the way, and the best opportunities to enjoy the balance of beauty in motion.
Most Scenic Drives Available On Phillip Island
The Coastal Drive
An ever popular circular route is that of Besides the coast of Phillip Island that allows one to enjoy the four beaches and lovely views of the Bass Strait and all the marvellous east, western and southern beaches of the island. The Circular drive commences in most cases at Cowes, proceeds round Cowes Island, Howard and Wimbledon with Parsons WH before moving further to the western edges of the island.
On the way, you can make a stop at stunning sites such as Woolamai Beach, which is a surfer’s paradise and The Nobbies, which is famous for stunning coastlines and seal watching. This drive is most delightful during the golden hour just before the sunset, when the sun sinks down to the horizon brightening the sky with the colors of orange and pink. You will also come across some fine picnic spots where you can have your meal in a peaceful atmosphere. The Coastal Drive is not a mere trip, but instead it is pure delight which gives pleasure to all the organs of sense.
The Rustic Inland Route
In case you want to get away from the crowd of tourists and take in the natural beauty of Phillip Island, you can choose to follow the Rustic Inland Route. This hidden gem offers a quieter experience, with off-the-beaten-path roads winding through dense native trees and peaceful countryside. As you do so, make sure to look out for kangaroos and koalas, which are often present in the area. Those who are keen on wildlife can visit several local reserves like Rhyll Inlet and indulge themselves in bird watching and walking along the water while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The Rustic Inland Route is certain to make for a wonderful and relaxing day out, and it is most suited for people who love nature photography.
Break up the journey for a sumptuous meal at any of the lovely locations and enjoy quiet ambience that only Phillip Island can provide.
Further Useful Destinations Along The Scenic Drives
Penguin Parade
The Penguin Parade is one of the most popular activities for tourists visiting Phillip Island, where people can watch the little penguins returning ashore after hunting. This night attraction originates from a small colony of penguins, whose fluffy creatures attract people from every part of the earth, to the unique sights. Those in attendance can buy viewing tickets which makes it easier for as many people as possible to witness this great event. The tours conduct educational programs inclusive of the penguins to cater to the needs of both pets and adults. The site contains amenities for the convenience of the guests and therefore it is prudent to arrive early if good seats are to be gotten on the viewing platform.
The Nobbies Centre
The Nobbies Centre is quite the traveller’s delight – it is an ecological parking area while at the same time serves as a beautiful stop whilst on the drive. This region has some boardwalks from which to windy coastal views and displays explaining the local fauna and the surroundings.
Especially, seal watching is quite popular as there is large number of Australian fur seals on the nearby Seal Rocks. Along the boardwalk, there are designated viewing areas for the guests where they can get the perfect shot for the important moments. A café is also located in the Nobbies and people can purchase drink and food as they appreciate the views which makes it a nice place to stop as the journey progresses.
| Site | Details | Best Time To Go |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin Parade | See the little penguins arrive from the sea at night. | Night, all year long |
| The Nobbies | Provides the scenic coastal views and access to seal colony. | All year round, spring season preferred |
| Cape Woolamai | Notable beach with eye catching cliff scenery. | Summer for beach activities |
Suggestions on How You Can Have a Nice Scenic Drive
As you look forward to driving round Philip Island, the following suggestions will help you enhance the fun. The first piece of advice is regarding preparation of the vehicle ensuring enough fuel, correct tire pressure and proper levels of fluids because some distances between services may be quite long. Secondly, do not forget to be cautious while driving particularly on the turn about pathways which are more likely to be crossed by animals.
Furthermore, it is also practical to decide your itinerary, as there are a lot of activities to do. Below are two sample itineraries depending on the amount of time available:
- Half-Day Itinerary: Begin from Cowes, use Coastal Drive to The Nobbies and return from Cape Woolamai.
- Full-Day Itinerary: Start from Cowes and proceed to Penguin Parade, drive through Coastal Drive and stop at Woolamai Beach and the Nobbies, then head back using the Rustic Inland Route.
Conclusion
As a result, Phillip Island presents numerous beautiful landscapes and the best way to explore them is to drive around. You have the coast that has soothing beaches and inviting cliffs and even inner routes that are teeming with amazing animals, every corner is unexplored. The unique Penguin Parade features and the Nobbies, which are other attractions in the island, complete the traveller’s experience leaving them with varied memories. One may make a long drive half day trip or simply have a full day exciting trip round the island taking a drive pleasure for every point of Phillip Island.
Now, get your camera, some snacks and take off in a car, to enjoy the stunning views of this gem in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the best time of the year to go for a scenic drive on Phillip Island?
A1: The best time to go for scenic drives to Phillip Island is in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) when it is warm and pleasant, and the views are pleasing to the eye.
Q2: Does Phillip Island have any scenic drives that are guided by a professional?
A2: Yes, there are many tours organized that include various scenic drives of the Island, which help in learning things about the island and wildlife too.
Q3: Is it necessary to own a special car to be able to drive around Phillip Island?
A3: No, a normal standard vehicle is more than enough to take you through all the scenic drives in Phillip Island, as most of the roads are good and quite passable.
Q4: Can I expect to see some animals while on my scenic drive on Phillip Island?
A4: For sure! Phillip Island has very rich wildlife including kangaroos, sea birds, koalas and even animals in natural parks on the ways of the scenic roads.
Q5: Are the drives around Phillip Island possible within a single day?
A5: Yes. A full scenic drive around Phillip Island can be completed in one day. However, in order to enjoy the sights and attractions more fully, it is best to spread the activities over a number of days.