Exploring Phillip Island’s Coastal Walks and Trails

  Reading time 12 minutes

Phillip Island, a little slice of heaven off the south coast of Victoria, is renowned for its many coastal views and wildlife. From the famous Penguin Parade to the epic beach walks, Phillip Island has so much to show off its natural beauty. If you are looking for some short strolls or longer hikes, then Phillip Island’s trails are the way to see the panoramic views and landscapes.

Phillip Island’s Many Wonders

Phillip Island’s Many Wonders

Phillip Island is famous for its lovely views and wildlife. Note this island has beautiful ocean views and sea caves, so if you love nature, this is the place for you. The Phillip Island Nature Park has various natural environments like cliffy coast, wetlands and bushland, each beautiful in its own way. The island has different areas, like the historic Churchill Island Marine National Park and untouched bushland at Cape Woolamai, to suit all explorers.

Walks

Walks 

The spectacular views of Philip Island can be seen on these walks, with multiple landscapes, including wild surf beaches, dramatic sea caves, peaceful wetlands, etc. If you hate buildings, then this is for you. So there are two walks: Cape Woolamai Walk, where you will see beautiful views of Bass Coast, and Berrys Beach Walk, which has incredible views along the coastline. For a relaxing walk, the Scenic Estate Conservation Reserve Walk or Pyramid Rock Lookout would be the way to go.

Touring Trails

Touring Trails

There are many touring trails on the island for those who prefer less adrenaline-filled experiences. These scenic trails are marked with blue and green, so you can’t get lost. San Remo Coastal Circuitand Churchill Island Loop are for those who can’t keep up with the views. Rhyll Inlet and Nobbies Blowhole are where you go if you want to see coastal trails where waders and other common bird species visit.

By Bike

By Bike

For cyclists, Phillip Island has a network of bike trails that take you to some of the island’s best views. Two of these trails go through Ventnor Road and Cape Woolamai Circuit, which are popular with those who like to cycle in open spaces as they have ocean views and natural bushland on this island. When you’re on these gravel paths or more challenging trails like Pinnacles Walk or San Remo Coastal Circuit, it’s best to use mountain bikes.

How Many Trails Are at Phillip Island Nature Park?

How Many Trails Are at Phillip Island Nature Park

Phillip Island Nature Park has over 20kms of walking tracks from easy strolls to hard hikes. These tracks are across different conservation areas such as Koala Conservation Centre, Pyramid Rock and Cape Woolamai Scenic Areas. Every track has a different view of the island’s topography, from coastal views to wetlands.

Longest Trail in Phillip Island Nature Park

Longest Trail in Phillip Island Nature Park

The longest track in Phillip Island Nature Park is the Cape Woolamai Circuit, 6kms long. It’s the most popular track because of the views of the coastlines and landscapes and the challenges of walking in there. The highest points are clifftop tracks with ocean views, showing off the best of the island.

Best Hike on Phillip Island Nature Park

The Cape Woolamaiarea is also the best hike on Phillip Island. This walk has the best views of Pinnacles on top and seaside cliffs. Ocean views, natural bushland and sea caves make this track a must do for nature lovers.

Top Hiking Tracks on Phillip Island

Top Hiking Tracks on Phillip Island

Off the coast of Victoria, Australia, Phillip Island is renowned for its natural beauty and unique environments. Some of the top tracks on the island are for all levels of experience, from casual walkers to experienced trekkers. Every track shows you a different side of nature on the island, wildlife and geological features.

Scenic Estate Reserve is for those who want peace and nature while hiking. This reserve has walking tracks through bushland and along coastal areas. You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of silence in the form of bird calls and leaves rustling as you walk through it; paths are well maintained so there are many options for people with different physical abilities. It has thick vegetation and open coastal views, perfect for a peaceful walk or to spot some of the wildlife that lives here.

Oswin Roberts Reserve

Oswin Roberts Reserve

Oswin Roberts Reserve is an environment with many different landscapes, and several tracks pass through these areas. Parts of this reserve are heathland, forest and wetlands, each with its own experience. These walks will take you across tracks with different plants and geological processes, so every walk is an adventure. Being home to many birds, Oswin Roberts Reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise as many species come here, so it’s a great spot for wildlife lovers. The tracks are for all levels of ability, from easy walks to more challenging routes, so everyone can choose their track.

Kitty Miller Bay

Kitty Miller Bay

Kitty Miller Bay is famous for its coastal walk, which gives you a view of the bay and its cliffs. An easy walk around this area is perfect for visitors who don’t want to exert themselves too much walking. The path follows the coast, and you get great views of the blue waters of the bay and the sheer cliffs dropping into it. You can enjoy light sea breezes and listen to the waves crashing against the rocky outcrops. No wonder Kitty Miller Bay is a favourite of photographers and nature lovers, as you can get some amazing coastline shots in return.

Nobbies Boardwalk

Nobbies Boardwalk

One of the most popular walks on Phillip Island is the Nobbies Boardwalk, which gives you stunning viewsof the Southern Ocean and an outdoor experience with its iconic formations. The boardwalk runs along the dramatic cliffs in the Nobbies area, which provides safe and easy access to the rugged coastline. Ocean views and seabirds on the Nobbies rocks await you as you walk through it. With several lookouts to stop and take in the view and learn about local marine life, this boardwalk is well maintained. If you want to do a scenic walk that’s not too hard but still get to see wildlife, then this is your go-to.

Cape Woolamai

Cape Woolamai

If you want to see one of the most beautiful natural environments on Phillip Island, then head to Cape Woolamai. These tracks have some of the best coastline views in Australia, including the Pinnacles Walk, which has rugged topography that showcases the diversity of the island. The Pinnacles Walk is famous for its rock formations and views across the surrounding coastlines. On rocky tracks, through cliffs, over coastal heathlands – all in one walk! This is where other tracks like Cape Woolamai give you a clear view of the island’s natural beauty and geology.

Forrest Caves

The Forrest Cavestrack goes through a series of natural caves carved out by the sea. Along this track, you can learn about Phillip Island’s geo-history and what the coastline looks like. As you walk through these caves named after them, you will see many types of rocks and coastal features along the way. There are some great spots within these formations to see how time has shaped the coastlines here at home, for example, in the sea caves themselves. While not technically difficult, parts of this track may be challenging enough to make it a good option to combine hiking with geology.

Swan Lake

Swan Lake

Swan Lake is an easy walk around the lake and through the adjacent swamps. A lovely walk for a casual amble to see the local birdlife and nature. The lake is home to many species of birds, and the wetlands are an important habitat for the area’s wildlife. You’ll see various plants and animals living in these swampy areas as you follow the path along the water’s edge, so photographers and nature lovers will love it. It’s flat and easy to follow, so people of all skill levels or ages can walk it.

Pyramid Rock

Pyramid Rock

The Pyramid Rock trail takes you to one of Phillip Island’s most famous landmarks. The trail offers stunning views of the rock formation and the surrounding coastline. As you get closer to the base of Pyramid Rock, you’ll see a fantastic view of the ocean rock face, which is another feature of the island’s landscape. The trail is short, but if you love geological landmarks and scenic views, you’ll love this. Photography around the Pyramid Rockarea is so good because of the dramatic rock and coastal scenery. Everything looks good in a photo.

Summary

Phillip Island’s coastal walks and trails are the best way to experience the island’s natural beauty and diversity. From the beautiful Cape Woolamai Walk to Swan Lake which is peaceful there’s something for hikers and nature lovers on this island. There’s something for everyone on Phillip Island, ocean views, wetlands, underwater caves. These tracks are the ultimate way to get surrounded by some amazing scenery and wildlife on Phillip Island.

FAQ

What are the best walks on Phillip Island?

Cape Woolamai Walk, Pyramid Rock Walk, Berrys Beach Walk and Scenic Estate Conservation Reserve Walk all have different views.

How long is the Cape Woolamai walk?

Cape Woolamai walk is 6km with beach and cliff views.

Can I bike on Phillip Island?

Yes, you can bike at San Remo Coastal Circuit and Cape Woolamai Circuit which are bike friendly with views of parts of the island.

Where can i see penguin parade in phillip island?

One of the island’s most popular attractions, the Penguin Parade is at Summerlands on Phillip Island where little penguins emerge from the water in the evening.

What wildlife can be seen on Phillip Island?

Australian Fur Seals, Migratory Wading Birds, Black Swans and Purple Swamp Hens are some of the wildlife on the island. With its many habitats, the island is a great place to see many types of birds and animals.