national vietnam veterans museum, phillip island
If you haven’t been before, you really should add it to your list - and bring the family! This interactive war museum is home to incredible war memorabilia from all around the world, and is just brimming with Australian history.
If you have been to Phillip Island, no doubt you have driven past the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, which is tucked away to the side on the main road.
If you haven’t been before, you really should add it to your list - and bring the family! This interactive war museum is home to incredible war memorabilia from all around the world, and is just brimming with Australian history.
This is a great opportunity for the kids to learn about the sacrifices of our Veterans, and see up close the equipment, uniforms and aircrafts used in the Vietnam War.
You can watch videos showing interviews with Veterans, footage of soldiers and see photographs, maps and food packaging amongst all sorts of memorabillia. You can climb onboard a helicopter, watch a light show and take a walk in the refelective garden.
Mamma’s crew love learning about Australian History and found this to be a very informative and evocative experience.
the nitty gritty
25 Veterans Drive,
Newhaven,
Phillip Island
OPEN
7 days a week
10am - 5pm
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's special mention: There is SO MUCH to do in Phillip Island - here are our MUST DO’s!
maru koala & animal park, grantville
You may have driven past the giant koala sign or seen the big pirate ship on your way to Phillip Island, but Maru Koala & Animal Park in Grantville is a destination in itself!
You may have driven past the koala sign on your way to Phillip Island, but Maru Koala & Animal Park in Grantville is a destination in itself!
Mamma’s crew are BIG animal fans, and this park has ALL the favourites covered! It is the perfect place to experience Australian wildlife close up, without the huge crowds and long walks that the bigger zoos encompass.
Mamma’s crew were lucky to partake in the Koala Feeding experience. Wow. What a privilege this is, to be within their habitat and hand feed them their brekky! You can see their little faces light up as they eagerly move closer to you to munch on their leaves. They are such beautiful animals and being this close to them makes you see how each of their personalities really shine. These experiences are held at 9am - before the centre opens so it is a quiet and very calming experience.
Once the koalas have eaten and resumed their sleep - explore the rest of the park and watch the cheeky wombats dig their holes, hand-feed the little wallabies and majestic kangaroos, enter Fang Island and check out the crocodile and snakes, chat to Charlie the cockatoo, walk with the emus and hang out with dingoes.
There are also other animal interaction experiences available with the Dingoes, Reptiles, Gliders and Cassowary’s. There are additional fees for these experiences, but there are also free daily talks you can listen to about each animal happening at different times throughout the day. The rangers and staff here are INCREDIBLE, full of knowledge and passion for these gorgeous creatures.
When you have worked up an appetite, head indoors to the bistro and enjoy some devonshire tea - or a parma if that’s more your style! The kids will love the ice-cream bar (and the gift shop!).
And it that’s not enough fun - included in your entry price is Pete’s Mini Golf - a Pirate themed course out the front!
It’s a really lovely day out and a great chance to meet and learn about our beautiful native animals. Add it to your list!!
the nitty gritty
1650 Bass Hwy, Grantville, 3984
Open
7 days
9.30am - 5.30pm
Pete’s Mini Golf is included in entry fee.
Animal experiences are additional cost to entry fee.
Wanna know more?
Click here
Mamma’s Special Mention
Make a day of it and head into Phillip Island - check out our MUST DO’S while you are there!
deluxe safari tent @ park lane holiday park, phillip island
Now THIS is the only way this Mamma will go camping ever again! Luxury Glamping at its finest!
Now THIS is the only way that Mamma will go camping again! The Deluxe Safari Tents at Park Lane Holiday Park in Phillip Island, are the most luxurious glamping family experience you will ever have.
This is glamping at its finest - think of a deluxe family cabin - but covered by a tent! We’re talking 2 bedrooms - one with 2 sets of bunks, the other with a Queen four-poster bed complete with mosquito net AND electric blanket! A bathroom with a shower, toilet - even a hair dryer. Then there’s the kitchen - mircowave, full size fridge, 4 slice toaster and kettle.
The lounge room has a couch, TV and reverse cycle AC. Not to mention a 6 seater dining table and cute little touches throughout. Mamma’s crew favourite thing was the egg chair! Oh and the games like Monopoly, UNO and puzzles.
Mamma’s favourite was the outdoor decking with a built in BBQ, table and couch. The perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee listening to the majestic birdsong, whilst trying to spot a nearby koala or wallaby!
The location is fabulous - with Rusty Water Brewery right in front of you and Amaze n Things right next door! (All guests receive 50% off entry fees!).
This is definitely a luxury, and a memory Mamma’s family will never forget!
the nitty gritty
Mamma’s special mention:
There’s SO MUCH to do at Phillip Island, click here for our MUST DO’s in Phillip Island.
phillip island chocolate factory, newhaven
Sweet Mamma chocolate dreams! Panny’s Chocolate Factory that rests beside the road as you head through the island is a coco-lover’s haven and the kids will be impressed too.
The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory in Newhaven is one of the first things you will see as you cross the bridge into Phillip Island, and for all those chocolate lovers - it is a must visit!
The factory is a shop, cafe and interactive museum all in one. Tours are self guided and take families through the entire process of chocolate making from bean to packaging. Your ticket is edible - a block of chocolate!
On the walkthrough, you will visit Dame Edna, the chocolate train, the 3D zoetrope all before hitting the side show ally (where you play games to win chocolate!), the chocolate waterfall (YES - A WHOLE WALL OF CHOCOLATE) and the penguin robots- distributing a chocolate pastille).
Finish up by making your own chocolate swirl and watch it slowly cross the conveyor belt where you can then grab and eat it!
Although there is not a lot to sample within the tour, you will be craving it once you finish! And as luck will have it - the cafe and shop is filled to the eyeballs with chocolatey goodness - Mamma can’t get enough of the chocolate caramels and freckles - YUM!
Note - on rainy days you will see this place practically overflowing with peeps, consider this a friendly warning!
the nitty gritty
Phillip Island Road, Newhaven, Phillip Island
OPEN
7 Days
10am - 5pm
last tour is at 4pm
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma’s special mention:
There’s SO MUCH to do in Phillip Island - click here for Mamma’s MUST DO’s.
phillip island strawberries, cowes
Strawberry lovers you will be in heaven when you walk into this little netted farm, surrounded by over 4000 plants!
Strawberry lovers you will be in heaven when you walk into this little netted farm, surrounded by over 4000 plants! The sweet aroma will have you salivating to sample one of these super red and super delicious strawberries.
This is Phillip Island's first strawberry farm to use a hydroponic vertical tower growing system. Which means there’s no prickly spikes getting in the way of picking fruit and they’re all around your eye level making them more tempting and easier to reach! Please note - for the time being, U-pick is currently not available, but you can definitely walk around and be offered samples and their farmgate is available to purchase. It will soon be available for U-pick - so keep your eyes on their socials here.
This farm, owned by the most lovely and passionate Phillip Island locals, is brand new and has only been operating for about one month. Owner Roger, together with is wife Faye, created this hydroponic farm after learning all about the vertical growing system and finding it fascinating. Coming from a plumbing background, he was familiar with the inner workings. His love for what he grows is clearly evident, and his hope to further the farm into supplying produce to local businesses is very inspiring. As well as strawberries, they also grow cucumbers, tomatoes and beans and are in the process of trialling other produce.
Head on down and have a chat and learn all about these systems, you may even be tempted to start your own, like Mamma!
Mamma's special mention
Feel like more adventure? There’s SO much to do in Phillip Island - check out Mamma’s Must Do’s!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Free entry
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Cash only (EFT available in future)
*u-pick not currently available
phillip island circuit go karts, ventnor
Take a hot lap around the Phillip Island Circuit track, and take in those incredible views!
Become a race-car driver for the day and zoom around a miniature replica of Phillip Island’s Grand Prix track!
These go-karts are seriously good fun AND WOW can they get some speed up!
Mamma’s crew averaged a whopping 35kmh and recorded speeds of up to 60km in one lap; pretty fast for a tandem go-kart! That’s the best bit. Kids get to experience this fun, too. Ages 5 to 12 can travel in a tandem go kart (which includes two active steering wheels so they can have a go!)
The track is 750m long with smooth curves and a fast straight. You can choose to spend 10 minutes (averaging around 10 laps) 20 or 30 minutes. Mamma thinks 10 minutes is plenty of time for little ones but Mamma likes the longer rides….
The views are absolutely amazing, which just adds to the thrill of the experience.
Mamma says this is a highly recommended adventure to checkout for any little (or big) speed demons out there!
Mamma's special mention:
For more family fun around Phillip Island - click here.
the nitty gritty
10/20/30 minute sessions.
Ages 5 - 12 can ride tandem
12+ can ride independently
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and pricing
verandah retreat, cowes
Life cant get much better than a night at this luxurious family home by the beach!
Wow. Mamma and crew were speechless when we pulled up to this magnificent family holiday home!
The sunlight was pouring into the spacious bright house, but all eyes were drawn to that amazing open outdoor entertainment area!
With a huge dining table, sun-lounges, BBQ and swing seat - the kids immediately wanted a picnic. It is incredibly inviting and gives off such a homely feel. In fact - the whole house exudes this vibe.
Inside is just as stunning. It feels incredibly luxurious - yet comfortable at the same time. There are 4 bedrooms; one with an en-suite and one with bunks, two separate living areas - one upstairs and one down, a full kitchen, bath and a gorgeous cast iron wooden fireplace. There’s also a table tennis table and a cupboard packed with games and pencils to entertain the kids. You can bring your pet here, too!
Located only 200 meters from the beach and around the corner from the main strip in Cowes - it is absolute perfection.
Of course, you don’t have to bring your kids - or even your husband! Grab the girls and have a mums weekend away!
Mamma's special mention:
Hungry? Take the kids to lunch at the wonderfully kid-friendly Nordic Kantine around the corner. Entertain them with Grumpy’s Crazy golf down the road. For more family fun around the Island - click here.
the nitty gritty
Children and pet friendly - located close to beach/shops - with 4 rooms, sleeps up to 6 adults + kids
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and pricing
phillip island wildlife park, cowes
All the Aussie animals you can think of, behind the one gate.
We are talking, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, echidnas, wombats, bats, tassie devils, dingos, snakes, eagles, cockatoos, lizards, kookaburras, pelicans and more!
This place is a true-blue taste of Australia! All the Aussie animals you can think of, behind the one gate.
We are talking, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, echidnas, wombats, bats, tassie devils, dingos, snakes, eagles, cockatoos, lizards, kookaburras, pelicans and more!
You get a bag of animal food with your entry, so you can leisurely walk around, explore every inch of the park and stop and feed the animals. You may have some of them following you, too!
Mamma’s crew couldn’t get enough of the grey kangaroos. Little Miss couldn’t resist going in for a cuddle but quickly learnt that putting your arms around the neck of a kangaroo may end badly!
It’s hard to pick a favourite animal here, as you really are spoilt for choice; but Mamma has a soft spot for wombats, so they may just be the winner.
Pack a picnic as there is an indoor cafeteria-like space to sit and rest, and make sure you wear your walking shoes - as this place is huge!
Mamma's special mentions:
Hungry after all that adventure? Head to Citrus and Vine only meters away. Still want more adventure? Check out Grumpys Crazy Golf.
the nitty gritty
Open
7 days a week
10am - 4.30pm
Cost
Adult (15 years+) - $19.00
Child (4-14 years) - $9.00
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) - $50.00
wanna know more? click here
antarctic journey @ nobbies discovery centre, summerlands
Take a journey to the Antarctic and learn all about the amazing wildlife and their habitat.
Take a journey to the Antarctic and learn all about the amazing wildlife and their habitat.
This is heaps of fun and Mamma’s crew soaked up all the information they could, whilst having a ball doing it!
Here you can learn how cold it is in the Antarctic by jumping in the freeze zone, select marine life meals from the interactive touch screens, compare your thermal image with a penguins, measure where you stand against penguins and lots more.
Then enter the virtual display room where you will encounter huge screens displaying images and videos of penguins, whales, seals and bird life that occupy the ocean from Phillip Island to the Antarctic.
Top it all off by putting yourself in the scene with the virtual reality screen. Hide from a whale, pat a seal and swim the penguins.
This is great fun and super educational.
Mamma's special mentions:
After learning all about them - go and see the Penguin Parade down the road!
the nitty gritty
Open
7 days a week
10am - 5pm
Cost
Adult (16 years+) - $18.00
Child (4-15 years) - $9.00
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $45.00
Australian Pensioner (ID required) - $12.60
wanna know more? click here
amaze n things, cowes
There are doors and entrance ways that lead to different themed rooms, each one more spectacular and kooky than the next.
As cliched as it sounds, this place seriously is AMAZING! There is just SO much fun packed in here, Mamma was overwhelmed at where to begin!
You start off in a gravity defying room where your senses are completely scattered. (Best to not have a wine with lunch before coming here - Mamma learned the hard way!) There are doors and entrance ways that lead to different themed rooms, each one more spectacular and kooky than the next.
There are some cool gravity tricks and experiences on the way through to the next rooms and from there on in, it is all about illusions, magic, time travel (Mamma LOVED the time travel machine) scare rooms, slides, bunnies and even a ride!
Then, of course there is the maze! This is huge and challenging - and lots of fun.
Set aside a couple of hours for this one, as you will want to take your time and explore EVERYTHING it has on offer.
the nitty gritty
Open
7 days a week
10am - 5pm
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's special mentions:
There is SO much to do in Phillip Island - click here for our MUST DO’s in Phillip Island guide.
pelican feeding, san remo
When 12pm approaches, these guys slowly gather around the foreshore and wait patiently for their lunch to arrive.
Every family trip to Phillip Island must include watching the Pelican feeding!
It’s amazing how they all seem to know when 12pm approaches. They slowly gather around the foreshore, waiting patiently for their lunch to arrive.
This has been happening for over 30 years and on a daily basis you can find anywhere from 5 to 30 hungry Pelicans.
You may even be lucky like this Mamma, and view some stingrays swimming along the waters edge.
This is a great attraction, not only for entertainment purposes, but it’s also a great lesson on the environment and what we can do to help ensure the protection of these amazing creatures.
Mamma’s crew was entranced and loved watching how they all fought over their tucker.
Mamma's special mentions:
Head across the road to San Remo Bakehouse for some great brekky, Westernport Hotel for lunch or dinner. Or have a play at the nearby San Remo Playground
the nitty gritty
Open
12pm every day on the foreshore near the San Remo pier
Cost
Free
wanna know more? click here
big 4 phillip island caravan park, newhaven
Packed with fun for the family and completely affordable, with different options for all budgets.
If you haven’t visited a Big 4 Caravan Park yet, what are you waiting for?!
They are incredible. Packed with fun for the family and completely affordable, with different options for all budgets.
If you are camping you can grab a powered site, or go a super cheap cabin option for those colder months.
For families you can get a 1, 2 or 3 room holiday villa, that even comes with an oven! Mamma loved the space the villas offered meaning we weren’t all cramped in our home away from home.
The park itself is in perfect position. Right at the end of the Jetty once you cross over from San Remo, with beach path access at your doorstep!
So much fun for the kids - a giant jumping pillow, pedal cars, playground, small basketball court and even a games room! The games room offers old arcade style games, table tennis, claw machines and TV and couch area.
There’s a sheltered picnic/kitchen area for all to enjoy.
Mamma’s little ones are counting down the weeks until they can come back!
Mamma's special mentions:
Head across the bridge to San Remo Bakehouse for some great brekky, Westernport Hotel for lunch or dinner - and don’t forget to check out the Pelican Feeding everyday at 12pm!
Or stay on the island and check out Churchill Island, Cape Kitchen, Forrest Caves, Amaze n Fun - and so much more here!
the nitty gritty
Open
3 bedroom villas -Cabins - powered camp sites - BBQ facilities - kitchen - games room - basketball area - access to beach - pedal cars -
Cost
Camp sites from $26
Cabins from $66
wanna know more? click here
grumpys crazy golf, cowes
This 18 round course offers some whacky obstacles like giant spinning tops and tyres, and has an assortment of crazy decorations scattered around.
Who doesn’t love a round of mini golf?
You’re gonna love this colourful place! Guaranteed to be no Grumpy Cowes here!
Smack bang in the middle of the main strip of Cowes, it is hard to miss. Especially the giant cow and cow print couch out the front!
This 18 round course offers some whacky obstacles like giant spinning tops and tyres, and has an assortment of crazy decorations scattered around. Get set to spot huge witches and cow dolls hanging from the ceiling, giant clown faces, rainbow fence palings - even a gazebo!
Great for all weather as its outdoors but undercover - just make sure you rug up in winter, the wind there is chilly!
There’s even a couple of picnic tables out back, so pack some food and enjoy the space.
Mamma's special mentions:
After you have worked up an appetite, you must head across the road to try the BEST coffee and WAFFLES in Cowes at Nordic Kantine.
the nitty gritty
Open
Summer and school holidays
7 days
10am - 5pm
Winter
weekends only
10am - 5pm
Cost
Adults $12
Kids under 15 $10
wanna know more? click here
penguin parade, summerlands beach
The Penguin Parade is a MUST DO for any trip down to the Island.
Waddle-waddle-waddle - a waddling we go! The Penguin Parade is a MUST DO for any trip down to the Island. Each night over 500 little penguins make their way up the beach to their burrows and we are lucky enough to watch and even get a front row seat to the action.
You have the choice of 3 sections to sit and view this daily waddle. The prized ticket is for an underground viewing - the best seats in the house. The groups of birds walking centimetres from the windows, pausing momentarily to stare right back at you! This intimate underground viewing room is capped at 70 people and is the perfect choice in the middle of winter when the weather is unpredictable.
The Penguins Plus option is another upgrade option that is well worth it as your little ones can really get a great view of the other little ones as they meander under and past the boardwalks. The other option is general viewing where you get a wonder vantage point of the shoreline and the penguins crossing the sand.
Regardless of your ticket option, you will get to see and hear the little penguins up close as many make their way home to bed up around the main boardwalks. Unfortunately no photos can be taken of the parade itself to share - I guess you will just have to take the family and see them for yourselves.
The brand new visitors centre is great too. Some great video displays let you get up close to the digital version of the birds - without having to get wet!
Mammas special mentions: The Mammas just love Phillip Island. For all the best things to do with the fam, check out Mamma Knows South’s guide to the Island HERE.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
the penguins arrive at around sunset so check local times closer to when you plan your trip
FOR MORE FUN IDEAS AT PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS CLICK HERE
wanna know more? click here
Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Phillip Island
click here for more great family experiences in Melbourne's south
koala conservation centre, rhyll
The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is quality eco-education - Koalas in their natural habitat with boardwalks allowing visitors to get a closer view.
Our furry friends the koala - or as in Mamma’s house - ko-arrr-la - are right at home in this eucalyptus haven. The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is quality eco-education. Visitors walk through the information centre and learn all about the ecosystems as well as the sights, sounds and smells that awaits. The feature of the centre are the natural habitats with tree top boardwalks, bringing visitors up a little closer to the fluffy little fellas. As it isn’t your typical zoo and exhibit type set up, you have to have your eyes peeled, voices low and a bit of patience up your sleeve. Rangers record each day how many koalas you are likely to spot on each walkway - very much like a game of eye-spy. Mamma found all on the first boardwalk, but only saw one out of four on the other. After you have found them all in the gum trees do take a stroll along the paths through the native bushland. You might even spot a wallaby or two.... maybe four.
Mamma’s special mention: The best way to see all the great nature parks that are on offer at Phillip Island is with a 3 Park Pass and can be purchased at the Visitor Information Centre at Newhaven, 500m as you arrive onto the Island. There are lots of options and can include the Penguin Parade, Arctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island.
Phillip Island Road, Phillip Island
churchill island, phillip island
An island off an island! Churchill Island is a must do if you have a family and kids learning all the different animal noises.
An island off an island. Churchill Island is a must do if you have a family and kids learning all the different animal noises! This historic island is a little oasis and wonderful little spot to spend the afternoon, learning about Australian farm life. The best time is the afternoon were the farm comes alive with whip cracking, cow milking, working dog demonstrations and sheep shearing. Although it is also the busiest time, there is plenty of room to see, especially sitting on nanny’s hip. There are your classic farm animals from the cows, sheep, a couple of pigs and chooks. Then of course, keep your eyes out for a turkey, some ferrets, peacock and don’t forget to sneak behind the shearing shed to spy some wallabies. The grounds of this farm are exquisite with stunning gardens surrounding the historical buildings and cottages. Here the family will learn about early European settler life in the original buildings on the property Weather you bring a picnic lunch or dine in the cafe, you are bound to have an enjoyable visit.
Mamma’s special mentions: The best way to see all the great nature parks that are on offer at Phillip Island is with a 3 Park Pass and can be purchased at the Visitor Information Centre at Newhaven, 500m as you arrive onto the Island. There are lots of options and can include the Penguin Parade, Arctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island.
Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island
