10 Best Places to Stay on Phillip Island

Phillip Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Victoria. The island in South Gippsland has been a longstanding summer favourite for many generations, with incredible beaches, surf spots, wildlife encounters and the vibrant town of Cowes. This means that there are plenty of places to stay on Phillip Island, from caravan parks to holiday homes and sea view apartments.

If you’re planning a weekend down the island, then in this post I’m going to round up the best places to stay. This includes a range of budget options from more affordable cabins and motel rooms up to pricier luxury apartments and holiday homes. Whether in Cowes or around the island, check out some of these options for your next stay on Phillip Island.

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Why Visit Phillip Island for a Weekend?

At just a couple of hours drive away from Melbourne, the island offers a combination of beautiful beaches, wild and rugged coastline, world-renowned surf breaks, coffee shops and fashion boutiques, and wildlife encounters galore. Whatever kind of destination you’re looking for, Phillip Island will tick all your boxes.

Now, some people head to the island just for a day trip, especially if their main aim is to hit the morning surf or watch the fairy penguins come in at dusk at the Penguin Parade. But, I highly encourage you to stick around a bit longer. There are so many things to do on Phillip Island, that you should at least book for a weekend or longer. And this guide will help you pick the best place!

Where to Stay on Phillip Island

Cowes is undoubtedly the main hub of the island and where most people choose to stay when visiting Phillip Island. It’s definitely the most vibrant place, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, and things to do. 

In and around Cowes is where you’ll find a wide variety of accommodation from caravan parks to holiday houses and oceanfront apartments. 

But, to escape the hustle and bustle, you can also choose to stay in other small towns on the island. Rhyll is a historic fishing village on the east coast, with some lovely luxury stays. Staying closer to Cape Woolamai or Smiths Beach is most ideal for surfers looking to catch early breaks. Finally, Ventnor offers a nice alternative to Cowes, just west of the main town and home to some beautiful beaches.

Price Guide
$ – Under $200 per night for two people
$$ – $200-300 per night for two people
$$$ – $300-450 per night for two people
$$$$ – More than $450 per night for two people

Best Phillip Island Accommodation

Here are 10 places worth booking for your next trip down to Phillip Island, including a variety of nice places to kick back and relax.

Glen Isla House

Distance from Cowes main street: 1.5 km

Part of an old historic homestead in Cowes, the deluxe double rooms at this beautiful estate offer some of the most comfortable accommodation in town. Set amongst private gardens and with direct access to the beach just 100m away, a stay at Glen Isla is perfect for an island retreat for two.

The ensuite double bedrooms are spacious and classically decorated, with garden views out the window and tea and coffee making facilities. There’s a central shared lounge with a warming fireplace and a beautiful terrace to relax in with a book.

There is also an option to include a delicious breakfast served on the terrace each morning from local produce.

Sleeping options: Double rooms only

Self-contained? No

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$

Seahorse Motel Cowes

Distance from Cowes main street: 400 metres

One of the best budget accommodation options on Phillip Island, the Seahorse Motel is perfect for a variety of different trips. They offer everything, from ensuite double rooms up to larger family rooms and suites, some with private kitchenettes to ensure you can self-cater as well. The motel also has a large outdoor pool and children’s playground, to suit all ages.

One of its most convenient features however, is how close it is to the main street and beach in Cowes. Within just a few minutes you can be walking down the pier, taking a dip in the ocean or heading out for a happy hour drink at one of the bars.

Sleeping options: Double rooms and family rooms up to four people maximum

Self-contained? No, but some have basic kitchenette

Pet friendly? No

Price: $

Genesta House

Distance from Cowes main street: 400 metres

As one of the oldest and most established bed and breakfast accommodations on Phillip Island, Genesta House is an ideal place to relax in style. Keeping to their traditional interior, the guesthouse offers queen rooms each with a mix of classic and modern features. Most rooms have kitchenettes and their own verandahs with outdoor dining, overlooking the hundred year old garden.

With Cowes beach just 150m from the front gate, this property is perfect if you want to be close enough to town and the beach. You’ll be able to walk virtually everywhere in Cowes, with most of the other attractions on the island just a short drive away.

Sleeping options: Queen rooms only

Self-contained? No

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$

Grey Goose @ Smiths Beach

Distance from Cowes: 6.5 km

On Back Beach Road close to the surfing hotspots of Smiths Beach and YCW Beach, Grey Goose offers a cosy apartment with incredible sea views right across to Cape Woolamai. The loft apartment has a pitched roof, with an open deck where you can sit with your morning cuppa and watch the sunrise over the ocean.

It’s fully self-contained with a kitchen, laundry, and living space and a king bed, so you can make yourself at home after a day spent down at the surf beaches. Breakfast provisions are provided as well, to cook at your leisure, so you can kick start your day right.

Sleeping options: One bedroom apartment with king bed

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$

Palm Breeze at Sunset Strip

Distance from Cowes: 6.5 km

Nicely located in Sunset Strip close to the main road, this holiday home is the perfect little surf retreat. Just a couple of kilometres away from both Smiths Beach and YCW Beach, Palm Breeze offers three bedrooms for up to 7 people in total. It’s fully equipped with a kitchen, laundry, living area, and beautiful decking space with outdoor furniture for relaxing and enjoying your morning tea.

The house is homely, decorated in a light modern touch with neutral colours and prints decorating the walls. The layout of the house is family-friendly with two bedrooms having double beds and the third having a set of bunk beds. Surrounded by a lush garden of palm trees, you’ll feel completely secluded from the hustle of Cowes.

Sleeping options: Three bedroom holiday home for up to 7 people

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$$

Oak Tree Lodge – Rhyll

Distance from Cowes: 7 km

Situated in the quaint fishing village of Rhyll, Oak Tree Lodge offers several one bedroom cottages just across from the jetty and ocean. Set amongst a beautiful garden, the private cottages are perfect for a special weekend away, with self-catering facilities and everything you’ll need to feel completely at home.

All cottages have a full kitchen, living and dining space, and plush queen or king beds. For added luxury, some options include a private spa bath and cosy wood fired heater to snuggle up from the south coast breeze. Breakfast provisions are also provided, so you can relax in the morning and enjoy your own breakfast on the deck outside the front door.

Sleeping options: One bedroom cottages

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$$

C-Scape Waterfront Apartment

Distance from Cowes main street: 150 metres

You probably can’t get much of a better location than this. Just a few metres away from both the beach and Thompson Avenue in Cowes, this apartment is ideal for a group or family to rent on Phillip Island. The three bedroom luxury apartment has incredible sea views right form the balcony and living area, so you can watch your own private sunset in peace.

The apartment is fully self-contained with a kitchen, living and dining area and outdoor furniture for enjoying the morning sun. It’s ultra modern, with all new furniture and decor, including plush queen beds, an L shaped couch and simple wall hangings.

Sleeping options: Three bedroom apartment sleeping up to 8 people

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$$

Hilltop Apartments Phillip Island

Distance from Cowes main street: 4.5 km

Away from the hustle and bustle of Cowes, these luxury one bedroom apartments are located just back from Red Rocks Beach. There are six apartments to choose from, with varying features and overall sizes, although all are beautifully furnished and self-contained. Each of the apartments have access to a patio or balcony, so you can relax in the sun.

A couple of the apartments feature spa baths and are located on the top floor, whereas others have garden views on the bottom floor. For the reasonable price, they make for a lovely couples retreat or solo adventure.

Sleeping options: One bedroom apartments for maximum two people

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$

Bimbadeen Farm Retreats

Distance from Cowes: 7.5 km

Offering self-contained, eco-friendly villas on a 360 acre working farm on Phillip Island, this is an ideal place to stay for those wanting to escape from it all. The villas are beautifully built with a simple but modern interior including all the essential appliances in the self-catering kitchen, living and and dining space. Each of the villas have a front facing deck, so you can sit back and look out over the peaceful farm.

With options for everyone, couples will love the cosy one bedroom villa, while the larger three bedroom option is perfect for big families and groups. Conveniently located on Back Beach Road, you’re not too far away from the Grand Prix Circuit, Penguin Parade and plenty of surf beaches.

Sleeping options: One, two and three bedroom villas for up to 10 or more people

Self-contained? Yes

Pet friendly? No

Price: $$

Anchor Belle Holiday Park

Distance from Cowes main street: 1.8 km

A caravan park just west of Cowes and 100m back from the beach, Anchor Belle has been a longstanding favourite on the island for generations. While parts of the park are a bit dated, some of their villas and cabins are much newer and nicer, and it’s all still at a decent price.

They offer a range of options from two-bedroom self-contained cabins to budget double rooms. They also have a camping area with powered and unpowered sites for caravans and other camping setups. For families, there’s plenty for the kids, including playground, jumping cushion, ball court and games room.

Sleeping options: Budget double rooms, self-contained cabins, three-bedroom villas, powered sites and camping sites

Self-contained? Some options are, otherwise a shared camp kitchen is accessible

Pet friendly? No

Price: $

Discover More About Phillip Island

• 26 Best Things to Do on Phillip Island
• A Guide to the Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk
• 7 Best Walks to Do on Phillip Island

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