Phillip Island features sheltered bays, pristine beaches, and popular surfing spots.
Visit Summerland Beach in Victoria
The coast is known for its wildlife, views, and surfing opportunities, earning it the title of National Surfing Reserve for its surfing heritage and picturesque scenery.
Summerland Bay Beach is a popular stop on the island during Phillip Island Penguin Tours, offering a combination of wildlife and surfing opportunities. Visitors can watch the penguin parade, surf during breaks or relax on the beach. With over 1.2 kilometres of shoreline, it’s a versatile daytime destination. At night, the beach becomes a penguin-watching centre, with many visitors coming to watch these fascinating creatures come ashore.
See the Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach
The Penguin Parade is a popular wildlife attraction in Australia. It began in the 1920s when three residents of Phillip Island started taking tourists with torches. The focus now is on conserving the little penguins, their colonies, and the surrounding land. Every evening, the Little Penguins come ashore at Summerland Beach. There are different viewing spots where you can watch the penguins up close. The visitor’s centre has displays about the penguins’ habitat and behaviour, the history of the parade and its importance.
Observing Little Penguins at the Penguin Parade
During the season, tiny Fairy Penguins arrive on Phillip Island every night. These penguins are the smallest species, standing at just 33 centimetres tall and weighing 1 kilogram. Unlike other penguin species with black and white feathers, they have blue and white feathers. Around 32,000 Little Penguins breed in colonies along the coast of Australia and New Zealand, with many coming to Phillip Island to nest. While they spend most of their time at sea searching for food, they come to Summerland Beach to breed and make nesting burrows.
Surf at Summerland Bay Beach
Summerland Beach is known for its quirky animal encounters and reputation as a surfing hotspot. Some believe it was where surfing on Phillip Island began in the 1920s. It has since become famous for both experienced surfers and beginners. Surf schools often use the shoreline to teach newcomers how to surf. The beach is favoured for surfing due to its consistent wave conditions and sheltered bay. With a flat, sandy bottom, the beach offers waves throughout the year. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy Australia’s wildlife and try surfing, Summerland Bay Beach is the place to visit.
Summerland Peninsula has beautiful beaches
The Summerland Peninsula features several beaches and bays suitable for swimming and surfing. It is also a significant conservation area for local wildlife, including little penguins and Australian Fur Seals. Some beaches along the Great Ocean Road include those on the peninsula.
Shelly Beach
Swimming and surfing are activities that can be enjoyed at this beach. Swimming is only allowed when the waves are low during high tide. There are also coastal walks available, like the Shelly Beach Circuit Walk. This trail is 2 kilometres long and passes through the Great Otway National Park to Elliot River and Shelly Beach. The walk is easy and takes about 45 minutes to complete.
Flynns Beach
Flynns Beach is popular with experienced surfers for its 1.3-kilometre stretch of sand. Swimming is only recommended when the waves are low. The Flynns Beach Historic Jetty Walk is a short, easy 2.5-kilometre walk that takes less than 40 minutes to complete. It leads to a secluded beach near the Nobbies area, perfect for beachcombers to explore.
