Ready-made plans

Custom planning is temporarily unavailable for this route. Ready-made plans are still available.

Home › Journeys › Oceania › Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island

Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island: Route Guide

Last updated:

Phillip Island penguins — Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island
Photo: Gambitek · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

From Melbourne, follow the Mornington Peninsula's beaches, headlands and coastal towns, then cross to Phillip Island for Cape Woolamai and the Nobbies. The everyday drive is built around public coastal walks. Hot springs, wineries, the Koala Conservation Reserve and the Penguin Parade are optional visits to arrange separately.

Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island is a 365 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 3–4 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for March, built from 451 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–4
days
365km
distance
3
Stops
451
curated stops

View ready-made plans 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go

The route

Melbourne→ 75 kmThe Mornington Peninsula→ 140 kmPhillip Island

What you'll see

Carlton Gardens
Stroll through majestic Victorian-era gardens and towering plane trees.
Melbourne
The Briars
Explore a delightful old homestead set on 230 hectares rich in history and nature.
The Mornington Peninsula
Churchill Island
Discover historic crops and buildings on this scenic European settlement site.
Phillip Island
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Experience modern and contemporary art by the Yarra River.
Melbourne
Coolart Wetland and Homestead
Spot ibis and other waterbirds amidst historic gardens and an annual jazz festival.
The Mornington Peninsula
National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Explore a vast collection of war memorabilia in a volunteer-run museum.
Phillip Island
National Gallery of Victoria
Discover international and local art in a grand, inspiring space.
Melbourne
Mornington Peninsula public coast-and-history circuit
Use a bounded public peninsula coast, lookout and heritage circuit chosen for current weather and access; long walks, shuttles, spas, railways, races and wineries remain separate.
The Mornington Peninsula

Choose your length

3-day plan6 stops · 6.6 h transit2 stops/day · 2.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan13 stops · 7.5 h transit3.2 stops/day · 1.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February, March

In the warmer months, plan coastal walks around the weather and leave extra time at the beaches. Hot springs, wildlife venues and the evening Penguin Parade are optional visits to arrange separately.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans