Phillip Island Weekend Roadtrip
Southern Victoria is where the magic of seclusion comes alive with an island more than just penguins.
A little over 90 minutes South from the city of Melbourne and you have landed in a beach side oasis. Home to the Moto GP each November, this island is far from loud and fast paced the other 51 weeks of the year. Slow, sleepy beachside shops line the main street of these small towns backed by picturesque turquoise water and glowing red cliff faces. Also home to the smallest penguins in the world, many people come to this part of the country to witness these little guys venturing out to sea each night, however we skipped this part and found many other locations that top any penguin parade and better yet had them all to ourselves to enjoy.
As you cross the bridge from San Remo onto Phillip Island itself you instantly fall in love with the place. 80’s vibes with wooden beachside weathered houses are in abundance with rolling green fields where cows graze and kangaroos bound. These cows would have to be some of the luckiest animals in the country with views out to the Bass Straight. It’s easy to see how people have come for a weekend and stayed for their retirement.
Staying within a stones throw of the water in Cowes gives you a sense of freedom, leaving the car parked and exploring by foot. The hotspot when it comes to restaurants and cafes, this little town would hands down have the best pizza shop in the region. Isola Di Capri serves up traditional Italian goodness and has been doing so for a number of years now. Sitting right on the corner along the main street overlooking the bay gives you the ultimate summer feeling. Once you have polished off a pizza or two, heading next door to their Gelateria is like a right of passage when visiting this island. Something not to be missed.
While some come here purely to watch the penguins venture down to the water come night time, we chose to take the boardwalk of Nobbies point just before sunset where crowds were at a minimum and landscapes at their best. When the sun is dropping, getting out of this area will be your saving grace. Just 8 minutes up the road back towards town and we’re all alone on a clifftop lookout gazing down on the stunning red stone beach, name a better way to spend the golden hour? This was an absolute highlight watching the waves roll in yet having the serenity letting you hear a pin drop.
After sleeping in it’s time to venture out and find the best brunch on the island. Coming from Melbourne it’s a high priority to get your caffeine kick sorted early in the day. Lucky enough just a few meters up the road we came across a little hidden gem who’s back yard just happens to look out right down across the glassy water. This little cafe packs a punch and sure did fill up quickly. The Waterboy serves five days a week and should be right up there when you go searching.
Detouring down the dirt track on our way out of town was a great idea to find the beautiful Pyramid Rock. With a lookout literally meters from the car park this makes for a very easily accessed view point for all ages and abilities. If you’re feeling more adventurous, walk down the boardwalk along the spine of the cliff top and watch the waves crash against the shore line. This was such a simple yet rewarding little walk that really made you appreciate the fresh air around.
Heading down to Phillip Island was a refreshing weekend getaway, that was quite an easy way to break up the weekly 9-5. Finding little hidden gems makes you appreciate the natural beauty found right on your door step. Whether it be for a weekend or a week, you can easily get caught up watching waves roll in and not want to leave. What’s described as a surfers paradise with waves in every direction has so much more to offer when you dust the sand off and put the runners on. Who am I kidding, you will be finding sand in your clothes and car weeks after departing…
