How to spend a day on Phillip Island
With Melbourne still in lockdown, we were lucky to spend a quiet weekend staying at San Remo on the Bass Coast. This area is usually bustling with tourists that flood this area on weekends and holidays. It is easy to understand why it is so popular. There is plenty to see and do and at just over 140kms from Melbourne it is an easy day trip for those in the city. The visit Phillip Island website has a lot of ideas on how to spend your time in this area. Here is how we filled in our full day on Phillip Island.
Early Start
We got up early and started with a beautiful breakfast at Beand San Remo. Known for roasting their own coffee, Beand offers an all-day menu so choosing something is a bit of a challenge. I stayed with the breakfast menu and enjoyed the eggs and avo on toast with one of their amazing coffees. You can also stock up on coffee beans and other coffee supplies if you need them. Beand is well known for its amazing coffee.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
After breakfast, we headed over the bridge and stopped at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. Entry cost was $18 for adults and $12 for children. Included in our ticket (that was made of chocolate) was a booklet that provides information on the history, science and art of chocolate. The factory is interactive and is fun for all ages. We were lucky that it was not busy and we had lots of time to explore how chocolate is made, the types of chocolate that are made on site as well as samples to try. There is a model railway that is made of chocolate and fairtale windows that show the process of chocolate making. The actual factory where they make the chocolate has big glass windows so you can watch as they fill moulds and add fillings to chocolates that will be sold in the store. There is a sideshow ally that gives you the chance to win balls that can be exchanged at the ticket office for actual chocolate balls. If you can get the hang of the games there is plenty of balls to bring home. Overall we enjoyed our time at the chocolate factory and bought home some yummy treats from the shop.
Exploring Cowes
The main township on Phillip Island is Cowes and is located right on the beach on the north side of the Island. Cowes is well serviced with supermarkets, chemists, speciality shops and plenty of accommodation choices. It is a great place to base yourself for exploring the Island. We did not stay in Cowes as it can be really busy and we find San Remo a little more relaxed but still within an easy distance to the Island for exploring. Cowes has a jetty and foreshore area that is great for exploring and its safe to swim. You can fish off the jetty and in summer the kids jump from the jetty and swim to shore.
In the town there are plenty of shops to look in and places to eat. We wandered through the shops, bought books, enjoyed coffee and cake, and spent time people watching. It is a busy town and can feel a little hectic but on a nice day there are plenty of places to sit and relax and enjoy the water views.
Vietnam Veterans Museum
Once we left Cowes we headed to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on the Phillip Island road at Newhaven. The museum is independent and dedicated to the heriatige and legacy of Vietnam Veterans. Outside there is an aeroplane and helicpoter to capture your attention. Tickets into the museum are $17 for adults, $10 children, $12 concession or a family ticket for $45. The museum has a huge collection of memorabilia from the Vietnam war and you could spend hours reading stories of courage and tragedy. There are vehicles, tanks, helicopters and planes – some that you can climb in and take photos. Uniforms, armoury and photos line the walls along with a role of honour of those that lost their lives. Out the back doors past the workshop you can spent some time in the garden of reflection.
We spent a couple of hours wandering around reading and exploring. The sound and light show as you enter is great to give you a perspective of how the war came about and how Australians were involved. There is a workshop out the back where volunteers restore aircraft for display. Nui Dat Cafe is in the foyer where you can get a cuppa and refreshments. There are also toilets onsite if needed. The Vienam Veterans Museum was well worth stopping in and exploring.
Finishing off the day
Before heading back to San Remo we decided to call into Purple Hen winery for a quick drink and cheese platter. It is easy to see why it is called Purple Hen, the hens are everywhere in this area. You need to be careful because many have been hit by cars. The winery has beautiful views and there is an area to sit and relax among the vines. Apparently the wine was amazing as we did come home with a bit of a stach.
After a big day exploring what Phillip Island has to offer we relaxed back at the caravan with a beautiful meal of fish and chips from the San Remo Co-op. Overall we had a great day on Phillip Island and there is plenty more to see if you have more time.
What is your favorite part of Phillip Island?
