Rugged surf coastline meets extraordinary wildlife on this island at the mouth of Western Port Bay. Home to the world's smallest penguins and one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies, Phillip Island rewards every shore day with something genuinely wild.
Phillip Island has no cruise pier — ships anchor in Western Port Bay and tender passengers to Cowes Jetty in the island's main township.
💡 Pro move: All cruise calls are subject to cancellation with little notice due to Bass Strait weather. Confirm your ship's schedule the night before.
All cruise ships tender to Cowes Jetty — there is no dedicated cruise pier on Phillip Island.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Cowes Jetty, Cowes📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition ships | Cowes Jetty, Cowes📍 | Tendered |
The island's headline attractions are 10-20 minutes by road from Cowes — a rental car or organised tour makes the most of your call.
Walk raised boardwalks through eucalyptus canopy to spot wild koalas at eye level. One of the most reliable koala-watching experiences in Victoria.
Find Phillip Island wildlife tours →Clifftop boardwalk on the island's western tip with dramatic Bass Strait views, a natural blowhole, and distant Seal Rocks — home to Australia's largest fur seal colony. Free to walk.
Find Nobbies and seal tours →Interactive multimedia exhibition at The Nobbies visitor centre exploring the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, with VR experiences and WWF partnership content.
Find Phillip Island attraction passes →Step back to the 19th century at this working historic farm accessed via a small bridge. Watch sheep-shearing, working dogs, and explore heritage gardens.
Find Churchill Island tours →Victoria's most dramatic surf beach backed by pink granite cliffs and ancient sand dunes. The coastal walking tracks here are genuinely spectacular — leave swimming to experts only.
Find Phillip Island walking tours →Tour one of the world's iconic MotoGP circuits, visit the History of Motorsport Museum, or try the go-kart circuit on a replica of the track layout.
Find Grand Prix Circuit tours →Cowes township is easily walkable from the jetty; the island's nature highlights require a short drive.
From the tender jetty, head along the Esplanade past Cowes Front Beach — a calm, north-facing bay beach ideal for a swim — then loop back along Thompson Avenue for coffee and shops.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Park at The Nobbies car park and walk the clifftop boardwalk to the blowhole lookout. On a clear day you can spot fur seals hauled out on Seal Rocks offshore.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 73°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 7 | 5:11 AM | 7:45 PM |
| Feb | 72°F / 22°C | 61°F / 16°C | 6 | 5:46 AM | 7:19 PM |
| Mar | 70°F / 21°C | 60°F / 16°C | 9 | 6:17 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Apr | 65°F / 18°C | 56°F / 13°C | 9 | 6:46 AM | 5:51 PM |
| May | 60°F / 16°C | 53°F / 12°C | 13 | 7:14 AM | 5:16 PM |
| Jun | 56°F / 13°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 | 7:35 AM | 5:04 PM |
| Jul | 55°F / 13°C | 48°F / 9°C | 14 | 7:33 AM | 5:17 PM |
| Aug | 56°F / 13°C | 48°F / 9°C | 14 | 7:04 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Sep | 59°F / 15°C | 50°F / 10°C | 14 | 6:19 AM | 6:09 PM |
| Oct | 63°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 13 | 5:32 AM | 6:37 PM |
| Nov | 66°F / 19°C | 55°F / 13°C | 11 | 4:57 AM | 7:10 PM |
| Dec | 70°F / 21°C | 58°F / 14°C | 10 | 4:49 AM | 7:39 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.