21 Best Things to Do on Phillip Island with Kids |

Are you looking for something fun to do with kids on Phillip Island?

Many people want to go to Phillip Island to see the penguins, but what else is there to do on Phillip Island with Kids? Is Phillip Island worth going to? How much time should you plan to spend on Phillip Island?

We had a few days in Phillip Island planned, hotels booked, and all, but it was all canceled.

Thankfully, less than a year later, we found ourselves in Victoria with a day free to explore Phillip Island.

While we would rather stay longer, even a day trip to Phillip Island is good enough to see a few fun areas. Luckily, we recently saw penguins on our trip to Tasmania; otherwise, we would have been bummed to miss out on the Phillip Island penguins.

Even luckier, we saw penguins on Phillip Island without going on a tour!

Here is our guide to the best things to do with kids on Phillip Island.

Planning Your Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources!

Accommodation- Booking.com
Travel Insurance- Cover-More
Tours and Excursions- Get Your Guide and Viator
Rental Car- Discover Cars

Free Things to Do on Phillip Island with Kids

Pelican Feeding

penguin feeding phillip island — Pelican recycling statue near the Pelican Feeding

Right before the bridge to Phillip Island, at noon daily, there is a pelican feeding at San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op.

While you are there, San Remo is a great place for a fish and chips lunch.

Nobbie’s Lookout

Right next to Nobbie Centre is a boardwalk and lookout.

The view is stunning, and if you are lucky, you will see penguins under the boardwalk, wallabies eating their lunch, and a wide variety of birds.

Beaches

phillip island beach — A beach on Phillip Island

Phillip Island has both swimming beaches and surfing beaches. Of course, the number one thing to remember is to read the signs and stay between the flags!

Kid-friendly swimming beaches on Phillip Island include Smith’s Beach, Safety Beach, and Cowes Main Beach.

Forrest Caves

The Forrest Caves can be seen on an easy 2-kilometer return walk, though they are only accessible at low tide.

Park at the Forrest Caves Car Park to begin your hike.

Oswen Roberts Reserve

Walk through the bushland of Phillip Island and hopefully spot wildlife such as koalas and wallabies on this easy pram-friendly walk.

Hikes start at 1 kilometer with the Melaleuca Loop and grow longer and more difficult with the 2.8-kilometer Woodland Loop and 4.6-kilometer Oswen Roberts Circuit.

Rhyll Inlet Wetlands Walk

There are 3 options for hikes at Rhyll Inlet Wetlands, with varying lengths and difficulty.

The easiest option is the pram-friendly boardwalk on the Green Loop, which takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Swan Lake Walk

Near the entrance to the penguin parade is the Swan Lake Walk, which is perfect for bird lovers. This walk is pram-friendly and 1.3 kilometers long.

Best Things to Do Inside on Phillip Island with Kids

Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate

Smelling the aroma boxes at Phillip Island Chocolate Factory

The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate, has a large shop, cafe, and self-guided tour.

Every member of our family enjoyed the tour of the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.

Chocolate “tickets” are handed out as you enter. The first few rooms show where chocolate comes from and how it is made. There are hands-on exhibits throughout the tour.

We arrived right when the chocolate factory opened, and there was a line to get into the tour. We didn’t realize it was self-guided.

It is probably best to go later in the day, though we just hung out at a few exhibits while others wandered ahead, and the crowds weren’t too bad.

One room includes a tasting of white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. That room also has a miniature train going through a town made out of chocolate.

Kids watching the model train go through the chocolate village at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.

My favorite area is the game room.

Each ticket includes 10 game passes, and there is a room of games to choose from. Each game involves a wooden ball, and if you win, you take the wooden ball and exchange it for chocolate balls at the end of the tour.

We won 8 chocolate balls among the 4 of us.

Playing games and trying to win chocolate at Phillip Island Chocolate Factory

At the very end of the tour, there is a place to design your own chocolate bar for $2. We let each kid make their own bar, as that is a much cheaper option than anything in the shop.

Kids (and adults) can make their own candy bar for $2 on the self-guided tour at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.

The Antarctic Journey

Inside Nobbie Centre is “The Antarctic Journey,” where you can take a virtual journey through the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. There are lots of hands-on exhibits in the Antarctic Journey.

Clip N Climb Phillip Island

If you are looking for a fun way to spend the day inside, Clip N Climb Phillip Island has a large rock climbing wall with interesting options to climb.

Clip N Climb also offers virtual reality game walls.

Phillip Island 10 Pin Bowling and Entertainment Centre

Go bowling, play laser tag, or enjoy the arcade games at Phillip Island 10 Pin Bowling and Entertainment Centre.

More Things to Do on Phillip Island with Kids

Penguin Parade

One of the most popular things to do on Phillip Island is attend the Penguin Parade.

Every night at sunset, the penguins arrive at the beach, and there are stadium seats ready for visitors to watch the penguins.

The Penguin Parade also has an underground viewing area.

A Maze N Things

With a mini-golf course, a giant maze, illusions, puzzles, and a high ropes course, A Maze N Things is a fun day out for kids of all ages.

Sky Trail High Ropes Course has over 30 obstacles of varying difficulty.

Mini Golf

In addition to the Maxi mini-golf course at A Maze N Things, there are other options for mini-golf on Phillip Island.

Grumpy’s Crazy Golf has an 18-hole mini-golf course that is completely covered.

Rent Bikes

Rent e-bikes (child seats available) at Super Cruzer Hire or rent bikes for every member of the family at Bicycle Repair Man and explore Phillip Island’s bike trails.

Kayak

There are plenty of options for kayaking tours and rentals for those who wish to see Phillip Island from the water.

Koala Conservation Reserve

Walk along the treetop boardwalks and view koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve. Wallabies, echidnas, and many varieties of birds can also be seen at the reserve.

*The Koala Conservation Reserve is about 20 minutes away from Phillip Island and can be visited on your drive to or from Phillip Island.

Wildlife Cruises

Churchill Island

A small island off of Phillip Island, Churchill Island has a historic working farm and a cafe.

See what activities are on at Churchill Island here.

There are daily activities such as sheep shearing, cow milking, and wagon rides on Churchill Island. The island also has a few nature walks.

Grand Prix Circuit

Besides watching the Grand Prix race, there are daily activities at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Fans can take a guided circuit tour, ride around the track on a push bike, or drive a go-kart at the Grand Prix Circuit.

Helicopter Ride

See gorgeous views of Phillip Island as you fly over Seal Rocks, Smith Beach, and Berry’s Reef on a helicopter ride. The helicopter ride has a 2-guest minimum, and kids under 3 can ride for free on an adult’s lap.

If you’d like a longer flight, there is a 25-minute Phillip Island and Seal Rocks Flight.

Day Trips to Phillip Island from Melbourne

Getting to Phillip Island is easy if you have a car, but for those who don’t, here are a few day trips and overnight tour options from Melbourne.

Family-Friendly Accommodations on Phillip Island

Phillip Island Nature Resort

With both an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a playground, Phillip Island Nature Resort is perfect for families.

Some rooms at Phillip Island Nature Resort come with kitchens, and a continental breakfast is available.

There are a variety of room options at Phillip Island Nature Resort, including 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom villas.

Phillip Island Nature Resort has a kids club, movie nights, and loads of other entertainment.

The Island Accommodation

For those looking for an eco-friendly option, The Island Accommodation has family rooms that sleep up to 12.

The Island Accommodation has bunk beds and a roof deck with 360-degree views and offers access to multiple kitchens and BBQs.

NRMA Phillip Island Holiday Park

NRMA Phillip Island Holiday Park has camping, RV, and cabins available on the beach. The 1 and 2-bedroom cabins are all ensuite.

There are plenty of kid-friendly activities at NRMA Phillip Island Holiday Park, including books, music, and DVD rentals.

Phillip Island with Kids Wrap Up

There are plenty of fun things to do on Phillip Island with kids, and the island is worth a visit as a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a longer holiday.

The penguin parade may be the best-known thing to do on Phillip Island. You may be able to spot penguins during the day, too. We saw quite a few penguins at Nobbie’s Lookout.

Tour a chocolate factory, attend a pelican feeding, hike around the island, and enjoy the beauty and nature.

Phillip Island with Kids FAQ

What is the best time of year to visit Phillip Island?

Summer is the best time of year to visit Phillip Island as the weather is warmer.

Do you have to pay to see the penguins on Phillip Island?

While you do need to pay for the penguin tour that takes place at night, we were able to see penguins for free on Phillip Island by walking around Nobbie’s Lookout during the day.

Penguins were hiding under the boardwalk by Nobbie’s Lookout.

What time do penguins come out on Phillip Island?

Most of the penguins begin to come out of the water at sunset.

Is Phillip Island a day trip?

While Phillip Island can be a day trip, it is best to stay for at least a weekend so that you can see more of the attractions that Phillip Island has to offer.

For those who want to see the penguins, tours are at night.