Cowes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cowes which includes a beach
Splash in the sea and laze on the beach, watch the penguin parade or witness the thrilling races of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Cowes is a quaint little town on the northern shore of Phillip Island, facing Victoria’s Western Port Bay. Cowes is the main township on the picturesque southern island and a popular destination for vacationers and daytrippers from Melbourne.

The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is easy to reach by car. Take a walk down Thompson Avenue, with its broad golden cypress trees, to The Esplanade along the waterfront. Together these streets form the beating heart of Cowes, with shops, cafés and restaurants for your convenience. Come here to enjoy an alfresco lunch on a sunny day and shop for souvenirs.

Browse Cowes’ foreshore with its golden beaches and sloping lawns. The bay’s calm waters are ideal for swimming. Afterwards, dine Aussie-style by “throwing a sausage on the barbie” in the public barbecue area. Take in the views from Cowes Jetty and chat with the local fishermen as the sun goes down.

Meet some of Australia’s iconic wildlife that calls Phillip Island home. Purchase a bag of animal food to feed the kangaroos and emus as you wander around the Phillip Island Wildlife Park or take the treetop boardwalk to get closer to a koala at the Koala Conservation Centre.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade in the evening is an opportunity to watch small penguins waddle back up the beach to their nighttime burrows. A local guide is there to answer all your questions.

Time your visit to coincide with one of the racing events at the Phillip Island Circuit. Highlights include the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Superbike Championship. You only have to follow the sound of the roaring engines to find the venue on race days. On training days you can take a ride in the passenger seat of a real race car while a professional driver zooms you around the track. The History of Motorsport exhibit keeps the less adventurous visitor happy as well.

Take a cruise out on the bay for a chance to see the seals at Seal Rocks. Also keep an eye out for dolphins and seabirds. Watch the glowing sun set and the town’s Esplanade twinkle during a romantic twilight cruise. Take this moment to look back on your stay in Cowes and appreciate the many wonderful things this idyllic island town has in store.

North Pier Hotel
North Pier Hotel
3 out of 5
5 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
The price is NZ$90 per night from 16 May to 17 May
NZ$90
per night
16 May - 17 May
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"A lovely outlook and convenient walking to attractions. The cafe in the building wasn’t open until 10am which was a bit late for having breakfast and there was no microwave in the room which would have been handy."

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

North Pier Hotel
Kaloha Holiday Resort
Kaloha Holiday Resort
3.5 out of 5
Cnr Steele & Chapel Streets, Cowes, VIC
The price is NZ$157 per night from 12 Jun to 13 Jun
NZ$157
per night
12 Jun - 13 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (788 reviews)
"Clean and tidy. Close to waterfront and walking distance to shops."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Kaloha Holiday Resort
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
4 out of 5
2128 Phillip Island Road, Cowes, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$251 per night from 19 May to 20 May
NZ$251
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly resort in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"While the overall experience of our stay was excellent and we certainly plan to return in the Spring, there were a few minor cleanliness issues that could use some improvement. The room itself was quite lovely and comfortable, providing a peaceful respite after long days spent exploring the sights. ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartments at Glen Isla
Apartments at Glen Isla
3 out of 5
234 Church Street, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Penguin ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (355 reviews)
"Nice place for a 1 night stay, clean and spacious."

Reviewed on 5 Jan. 2024

Apartments at Glen Isla
The Waves Apartments
The Waves Apartments
4.5 out of 5
1 The Esplanade, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Silverleaves Beach and Phillip Island ...
9/10 Wonderful! (664 reviews)
"room was very good"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

The Waves Apartments
Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
4 out of 5
124-128 Red Rocks Road, Cowes, VIC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cowes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Penguin Parade and Ventnor Bushland Reserve are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (243 reviews)
"Great place , very clean and spacious,"

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island - Adults Only
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Cowes

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
179
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
160
" "4 - Good 44.6927374301676%
3 - Okay
18
" "3 - Okay 5.027932960893855%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.27932960893854747%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Apr 2020

With CoVid-19 Was great to see the community embracing the restrictions and keeping distances.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Mar 2020

Cowes is a perfect location for a family to have a little getaway. Perfect activities and nature parks for the kids to enjoy. 

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Mar 2020

Very pleasant

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Feb 2020

We have always loved going to Cowes,so i booked a Hotel that was close to the beach. The only negative thing i could say,is that we were so dissatisfied with our room.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Feb 2020

Plenty of activities to suit all ages . Great place for families, couples and male ir gemale groups

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Jan 2020

Very nice beach with nice, clean water.

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