Victoria (Melbourne Region)
Cowes
In the centre of the north coast, where the sandy bays are sheltered enough for good swimming, COWES is Phillip Island’s main town. Several good places to eat and stay can be found here on The Esplanade, a lively strip facing the jetty. Based in the old Rotunda, Bay Connections (tel 03/5678 5642) offers several cruises from the jetty, the best being the trip to Seal Rocks (mid-Oct to end of April at least once daily, in winter less often; 2hr; $38) to watch the Australian fur seals close up. The same company runs day tours from Cowes to Stony Point to French Island (Wed & Sun, but not in winter; ferry service plus island tour $42). 
Worth considering as a quieter place to base yourself is RHYLL, about 6km to the east of Cowes.

Eating & Drinking
  • Castle Inn by the Sea, 7–9 Steele St, Cowes. Very good restaurant and bar.
  • The Clock Cafe, 1 Findlay St, Cowes. Near the western end of the Esplanade. Small cosy café with a view of the pier and a small sundeck. Open daily for breakfast, light lunches and dinner.
  • Fountain Place, Thompson Ave, Cowes. Café known for its delicious ice cream.
  • Isle of Wight Hotel, The Esplanade, Cowes. Hotel with a good-value bistro offering sea views. Also a couple of bars, a lively beer garden and entertainment at summer weekends.
  • The Jetty, The Esplanade, Cowes (tel 03/5952 2060). An expensive but relaxed restaurant specializing in fresh local seafood.
  • Praha Coffee House, Thompson Ave, Cowes. A simple café serving excellent food, plus great coffee.
  • Taylor’s Seafood & Steak Restaurant, 114 Thompson Ave, Cowes. Good seafood and steaks at reasonable prices.

Accommodation
The main reason to come to Cowes or Rhyll is if you’re planning to stay on the island. Out of season you should have no trouble, but during the peak Christmas–Easter season accommodation nearly doubles in price and some places require weekly bookings. The Phillip Island Visitor Information centre handles all accommodation bookings for the island; a private agency in Melbourne, Island Retreats (free tel 1800/629 319) can arrange accommodation and packages.
  • Castle Inn by the Sea, 7–9 Steele St, Cowes. A delightful B&B in a pleasant location.
  • Coachman Motel, 51 Chapel St, Cowes. This luxurious town house offers motel units and suites. Facilities include a heated pool and spa for communal use.
  • The Continental Hotel, 5–8 The Esplanade, Cowes . A conveniently central hotel with en-suite rooms, some with seafront balconies. Also a heated pool and spa.
  • Kaloha Holiday Resort, cnr of Chapel and Steele sts, Cowes. Motel units with cooking facilities, plus cabins, camping sites and facilities for on-site vans. Located in shady grounds giving onto a quiet swimming beach.
  • Narrabeen Cottage, 16 Steele St, Cowes. A delightful guesthouse whose owners can arrange gourmet dinners. 
  • Penguin Hill Country House B&B, cnr of Ventnor and Back Beach rds, Ventnor. A rural B&B with good ocean views.
  • Seahorse Motel, 29–31 Chapel St, Cowes. An above-average, centrally located motel.