The Melbourne winter can feel like a grind. The days get shorter, the commute gets grimmer, and spending weekends on the couch starts to feel like your best option. But a superb escape is less than two hours from the city. Phillip Island offers fresh, salty air, expansive coastlines, abundant wildlife, and a notable lack of crowds, all within easy reach. Whether you are after adventure, good food, or a few slow days with the people you love, winter on Phillip Island delivers.
In this blog, we cover some of our favourite things to do on Phillip Island in winter, and why it makes such a great destination in the colder months.
Looking for year-round inspiration? Our Things to do in Phillip Island guide has you covered.
1. Whale Watching
Whale watching is one of the best things to do in Phillip Island in winter. From mid-May through to September, humpback and southern right whales migrate along the Bass Coast, and Phillip Island sits right in the heart of the action. Seeing one of these beautiful animals breach off the coastline is something you will be talking about for years.
The Whale Discovery Trail runs from Eagles Nest in the east all the way to Cowes, and you can follow it on foot, by bike, or by car. For something more immersive, Wildlife Coast Cruises runs dedicated winter whale and dolphin tours out on the water.
If you are visiting in early July, it is also worth timing your trip around the Island Whale Festival (5 to 7 July), which includes whale-spotting sessions, expert talks, live music, an Ocean Film Festival screening, and more.
2. The Penguin Parade
A list of things to do on Phillip Island wouldn’t be complete without it.
The Penguin Parade runs every single evening of the year, but winter has a few things going for it that summer does not. Crowds are noticeably smaller, and because sunset comes earlier, the penguins often arrive around 6 pm, making for a shorter and more manageable evening out.
Watching thousands of little penguins shuffle up the beach to their burrows is funny, adorable, and completely wild all at once. It never gets old.
A few practical tips:
Book tickets in advance at penguins.org.au. Even in winter, weekends fill up.
Dress warmly. The wind off the Southern Ocean can be treacherous; a beanie, scarf, and a good jacket should do the trick.
Consider the Underground Viewing option for a close-up, sheltered experience right at beach level.
Aim to arrive at least an hour before the expected penguin arrival time.
3. Beach Walks, Coastal Trails, and Rockpools
Coastal walks are among the most underrated things to do on Phillip Island in winter. The beaches are quieter, the skies are more dramatic, and there is a stillness that is hard to find in the warmer months.
Cape Woolamai Walk is the most striking walk on the island, with sweeping clifftop views along the coastline from the highest point on Phillip Island.
At low tide, the rockpools at Forrest Caves are worth exploring; sea urchins, anemones, and small fish are tucked right into the crevices of the magnificent red rock cave-like structures.
Phillip Island Road between San Remo and Cowes is also worth exploring. The views over Western Port Bay on a grey winter's day are stunning. Here you will find the George Bass Coastal Walk with spectacular views of the Bay and Kilcunda.
The Rhyll Mangrove Boardwalk is a great option for birdwatchers. The Ramsar-listed inlet is internationally recognised as a shorebird habitat, and the boardwalk is a peaceful spot to spot resident species, including spoonbills, herons, egrets, and cormorants year-round. The boardwalk is purpose-built and accessible, so no one has to miss out.
For a full list of accessible things to do across Phillip Island, our 10 Accessible Activities on Phillip Island guide is a good place to start.
4. The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Not every winter day calls for a clifftop walk. The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is a genuinely good reason to stay inside for a few hours.
The chocolate fondue experience is the standout. There are also over a dozen other chocolate creations to work through, interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and a retail store. Good for all ages; kids will not stop talking about it, and it’s sure to bring out the inner child in adults.
5. Wineries and Long Lunches
Cold weather and a good glass of wine go hand-in-hand, and winter is arguably the best time to visit Phillip Island's wineries. Phillip Island and the surrounding Bass Coast have a modest but impressive wine scene, and winter is the perfect excuse to settle in for an afternoon.
Purple Hen Winery in Rhyll is a family-owned vineyard with sweeping views across Western Port and French Island. Their award-winning Pinot Noir and Riesling are worth the visit alone, and the atmosphere makes it easy to lose a few hours without noticing.
Phillip Island Winery in Ventnor has a warm indoor setting built for long lunches, with tasting flights that take you through the region's cool-climate wines. Silverwaters Vineyard in San Remo, just off the island, is a lower-key option with quality local wines and a relaxed atmosphere. Grenache Wine Bar rounds things out nicely; it is a cosy spot with a serious wine list and good food, popular with locals and visitors alike.
6. Where to Eat
Phillip Island has a strong food scene, and winter is when the restaurants settle into their best. Fewer visitors means a more relaxed pace and tables that are easier to get.
Pino's Trattoria has been a Cowes institution since 1991. This family-run Italian restaurant is warm, easygoing, and built for a long winter evening. Chapel Lane Restaurant and Bar, housed in a beautifully restored 1933 building in the heart of Cowes, offers European-influenced cooking with local produce and a bar worth lingering at.
Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant and Bar has a fire going, live music on weekends, and handcrafted ales brewed on site. For a proper local pub atmosphere with live entertainment, The Wooli Tavern and The Westernport Hotel are also both excellent choices. And, if you’re after some wonderful Fish n Chips, head to Cowes General Store.
7. Saunas and Wellness
Some days, the best thing you can do is slow right down. Treat yourself at Wellbeing Elements, Phillip Island’s premium bathhouse and recovery centre. A welcoming environment to recover, relax and revive in the bathhouse. Comprising magnesium hot pools, invigorating ice and cold plunge pools, therapeutic steam room and rejuvenating saunas. A great place to reconnect with wellbeing, one element at a time on a winter’s day.
Phillip Island Sauna is a wood-fired sauna beside the sea. Sitting in the heat and stepping out into the cold coastal air is one of those simple experiences that is hard to put into words. Jetty Heat, their purpose-built sauna on the Cowes Jetty, seats around ten guests and offers a social, sustainable experience right on the water. A good one for groups.
Island Healing rounds out the wellness options with massages and holistic treatments for those who want to finish the day properly.
8. Book Cosy Accommodation
Finding the right place to stay makes all the difference on a winter break. Ripples n Tonic is a working farm stay set just a short walk from Ventnor Beach and the Ventnor Nature Reserve. It is relaxed, spacious, and set up for guests who want to switch off.
On the farm, you can expect:
Morning animal feeding from around 9 am, with cows, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, and free-range hens
Evening bonfires with wood supplied
A communal pizza oven, BBQ, and outdoor kitchen area
An outdoor undercover spa, available to book
A trampoline and play area for younger guests
Ripples n Tonic is purpose-built and fully accessible, designed so guests of all abilities can feel comfortable and included. Whether you’re coming with family or a group of friends, everyone is welcome.
Ready to Plan Your Phillip Island Winter Escape?
Winter is one of the best times to visit Phillip Island, and with so many things to do across the colder months, there is something for everyone. Watch humpback whales migrate along the Bass Coast, warm up at a local winery, and end the day around a fire pit at your cosy accommodation. The island is quieter, the wildlife is extraordinary, and the slower pace makes every day feel a little longer in the best possible way. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, Phillip Island has a way of surprising you in winter.
Ready to book your winter getaway? Head to ripplesntonic.com.au to secure your dates. Travelling with a bigger group? Find out about our group accommodation options.
