# Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island

> 3-day road trip of about 247 km (153 mi) with 10 stops, from Melbourne to Cape Woolamai. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/au-mornington-phillip-island/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 247 km (153 mi) with 10 stops, from Melbourne to Cape Woolamai. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total. Beaches, lookouts and forts around Port Phillip Bay's southern shore, then across to Phillip Island for fur seals and the nightly penguin parade.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 247 km (153 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 41 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 10 |
| Route | Melbourne → Cape Woolamai |
| States | Victoria |
| Updated | May 3, 2026 |

## Route description

Day one: take the Mornington Peninsula Freeway from Melbourne to Dromana, about 80 km and 1 h 15 min, and drive up to Arthurs Seat for bay views. Continue west to Sorrento (about 25 km) and on to Point Nepean National Park, where you can walk or cycle to Fort Nepean. Sorrento has fuel and cafes.

Day two: drive the ocean side to Cape Schanck for the 1859 lighthouse and boardwalks, about 30 km from Sorrento. Then head east toward the Phillip Island bridge near San Remo via Frankston and Cranbourne, around 100 km and 1 h 45 min. Cross to Cowes for the evening and book the penguin parade ahead in busy seasons.

Day three: tour Phillip Island, which is small and roughly 20 km long. Visit Churchill Island's heritage farm, then The Nobbies and Seal Rocks on the island's western end, and finish at Cape Woolamai for a coastal walk. The Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach is best seen at dusk, the evening before or after.

Practical notes: roads are sealed and well signposted. Weekends and summer holidays bring heavy traffic on the peninsula, so start early. The return to Melbourne from Phillip Island takes about 1 h 45 min via the South Gippsland Freeway. Spring and autumn are comfortable; coastal weather can change quickly, so pack a windproof layer.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Melbourne** (Victoria)
2. **Arthurs Seat** (Dromana, Victoria): The highest point on the Mornington Peninsula, rising behind Dromana, with wide views over Port Phillip Bay and, on clear days, towards the Melbourne skyline. Reached by a short, winding road.
3. **Sorrento** (Victoria)
4. **Point Nepean and Fort Nepean** (Portsea, Victoria): At the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, forts and tunnels guarded the entrance to Port Phillip from the 1880s. Walk or cycle out from the visitor centre; the coastal views across the heads are excellent.
5. **Cape Schanck Lighthouse** (Cape Schanck, Victoria): A 1859 lighthouse on basalt cliffs at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with boardwalks down to a rugged coast. Wind and swell can be strong, so keep well back from the edge.
6. **Cowes** (Victoria)
7. **Churchill Island Heritage Farm** (Phillip Island, Victoria): A small island linked to Phillip Island by a bridge, with a working heritage farm and an 1860s homestead. A quiet, easy stop with shoreline walks, farm animals and bird life.
8. **The Nobbies and Seal Rocks** (Phillip Island, Victoria): Boardwalks on the western tip of Phillip Island lead past blowholes and sea cliffs to a view of Seal Rocks, home to a large colony of Australian fur seals. Binoculars help; it is often very windy.
9. **Penguin Parade, Phillip Island** (Summerlands, Victoria): Each evening little penguins waddle from the surf to their burrows at Summerland Beach. It is Victoria's best-known wildlife spectacle; book ahead in school holidays and bring warm layers, as the beach is windy.
10. **Cape Woolamai** (Phillip Island, Victoria): The granite headland at Phillip Island's south-east corner has a long surf beach and a clifftop walk past the Pinnacles. Short-tailed shearwaters nest here in summer; check tides and surf before swimming.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Melbourne → Arthurs Seat** (73 km, 0 h 48 min)
2. **Day 2: Arthurs Seat → Cape Schanck Lighthouse** (79 km, 0 h 51 min) On the way: Sorrento, Point Nepean and Fort Nepean.
3. **Day 3: Cape Schanck Lighthouse → Cape Woolamai** (96 km, 1 h 03 min) On the way: Cowes, Churchill Island Heritage Farm, The Nobbies and Seal Rocks, Penguin Parade, Phillip Island.

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island?**
3-day road trip of about 247 km (153 mi) with 10 stops, from Melbourne to Cape Woolamai. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island start and end?**
It starts in Melbourne and ends in Cape Woolamai.

**Which states does Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island pass through?**
Victoria.

**When is the best time for Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island?**
The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)