Phillip Island: Wine Tasting, Gourmet Lunch & Penguin Parade Day Trip

Summary

From city coffee to penguins at dusk with wine and sea air

You’ll start your day with real Melbourne coffee before heading out for wine tastings and a wood-fired lunch at Phillip Island Winery. There’s time to explore Cowes or upgrade for close-up koala viewing if you want. Golden hour brings sparkling wine at The Nobbies — then comes sunset at Summerland Beach for the Penguin Parade, which is honestly something you’ll remember long after you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the smell of good coffee — proper Melbourne stuff, not that burnt airport brew. Our guide, Sam, handed it over with a grin outside the Arts Centre. The bus was comfier than I expected (WiFi actually worked), and everyone seemed half-awake but friendly. We left the city behind pretty quick; I kept watching the sky change as we crossed that long bridge into San Remo — pelicans just sort of hanging out by the water like they owned the place. Someone pointed them out and I almost spilled my cup trying to get a photo. Didn’t really get one, but the moment stuck anyway.

The first real stop was Phillip Island Winery. If you care about wine (or even if you don’t), it’s hard not to get swept up in it — six kinds from around Gippsland, all explained by this guy who clearly knew his stuff but didn’t make it weirdly formal. I tried to remember tasting notes but mostly just enjoyed the bread and cheese on those wooden boards. Lunch was wood-fired pizza — salty crust, something herby I couldn’t name — plus salads that tasted like summer. We ate outside; you could hear birds and someone’s kid laughing somewhere off behind the vines.

After that came Cowes — easygoing little town with shops that reminded me of old holiday postcards. Some people went off for koalas instead (extra $15 if you want guaranteed koala spotting). I just wandered down to the beach for a bit and watched locals walking their dogs, wind picking up little bits of sand against my ankles. Later we hit The Nobbies for golden hour; honestly, I’d never seen ocean light quite like that before. There was sparkling wine (I’m not usually a bubbles person but it felt right), wallabies in the distance, sea air sharp enough to wake you up again after all that food.

The main event though? The Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. It gets crowded but our guide managed to find us a decent spot along the boardwalk. There’s this hush when everyone sees the first little penguin pop out of the surf — tiny feet moving fast, almost comical if it wasn’t so weirdly moving. Kids gasped and even some adults got teary-eyed (not naming names). The whole day felt like a slow build-up to that moment: city noise traded for salt air and animal sounds, ending with these wild creatures doing their thing under pink sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phillip Island wine, wildlife, and penguins

• Enjoy coffee at Melbourne Arts Centre
• Travel to San Remo and stretch legs
• Arrive at Phillip Island Winery for wine tasting
• Eat wood-fired pizza and salads
• Pass by Phillip Island settlements to Cowes
• Explore Cowes beaches and shops
• Optional koala viewing upgrade
• Visit pristine Phillip Island beach
• Walk The Nobbies boardwalks at golden hour
• Drink sparkling wine at The Nobbies
• Watch Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach
• Return to Melbourne Arts Centre or hotels

Top questions

How long is the Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne?

The tour lasts a full day with pickup in Melbourne and return in the evening after sunset.

Is lunch included on this Phillip Island tour?

Yes, a gourmet wood-fired lunch with seasonal sides is included at Phillip Island Winery or partner restaurant.

Do we see penguins up close at Summerland Beach?

You’ll have general viewing tickets for the Penguin Parade; upgrades are available for closer views.

Can I visit the Koala Conservation Reserve on this tour?

You can upgrade on the day for $15 to visit the Koala Conservation Reserve instead of free time in Cowes.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Coffee is included on departure; wine tasting and a glass of sparkling wine are also part of your day.

What kind of transport is used?

A luxury midi-coach with WiFi and charging ports is used for comfort throughout the trip.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is from Arts Centre Melbourne; city center hotel drop-off can be arranged on request.

Are there options for children or families?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants can ride in prams or sit on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your day includes barista-made coffee at departure, luxury coach transport with WiFi, guided cellar-door wine tasting with grazing platter at Phillip Island Winery, gourmet wood-fired lunch using Victorian ingredients, sparkling wine at sunset overlooking Bass Strait from The Nobbies, general viewing tickets to witness Little Penguins returning home at Summerland Beach sunset, free time in Cowes township or an optional upgrade to see koalas up close at the Koala Conservation Reserve before returning to Melbourne in comfort.