Bass Coast Shire
A coastal resort area southeast of Melbourne, famous for the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, surf beaches, and its racetrack.
Bass Coast Shire is located on the southern coast of Victoria, facing the Bass Strait, and covers Phillip Island and the San Remo area on the opposite shore. Phillip Island is most famous for its little penguins returning to their nests at dusk. The Nobbies boardwalk, Pyramid Rock, and Cape Woolamai offer spectacular coastal landscapes, and you can also spot koalas, take a boat to see Seal Rocks, or watch races at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Churchill Island Heritage Farm is perfect for families. Summer is the best time for beaches and surfing, while penguins can be seen year-round. It is about a two-hour drive from Melbourne, and most visitors drive themselves or join a tour.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Mornington, Phillip Island & Wilsons Promontory – A loop southeast of Melbourne connecting the Mornington Peninsula coast, the Penguin Parade, and the wildlife-rich Wils…
- Melbourne City and Highlights – Two days in the city, plus the Puffing Billy steam train, Phillip Island penguins and the Yarra Valley, then a self-dri…
- Grand Victoria Loop – Loop around Victoria, covering the coast, mountains, goldfields, high country, and Wilsons Promontory in one go.
- Melbourne Family Wildlife and Steam Train – Stay in Southbank and take the kids to the aquarium, zoo and museum, then ride the steam train and see the penguins.
- Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive – Drive south along the Princes Highway, connecting white sand bays, a historic whaling town, and the penguin parade