Smiths is the reason most people end up on this side of the island, but it's not the only reason worth being here. Ten spots, all within an easy drive of the kiosk. Pack a sausage roll.
"The south coast does the work. You just have to point the car in the right direction."
Smiths Beach itself.
Obvious, but worth saying. South-facing surf beach, sand bottom, a kilometre of clean coastline. Best mid-incoming tide, north wind, south-west swell. Even on the days it's not working it's a beautiful walk.
Berrys Beach.
Quieter cove tucked between two headlands. Dog-friendly outside school holidays, generally swimmable in clean conditions, and the walk down is half the point — sandstone steps, banksia, the smell of salt.
Pyramid Rock.
Granite stack rising out of the sea, lookout walk along the cliffs, gannets working the water below. The south-coast photo stop, and one of the few places on the island where you really feel the size of the Southern Ocean.
Cape Woolamai.
The longest beach on the island, a serious point break for experienced surfers, and a 7km loop walk out to the Pinnacles and back. Shearwater colony nests here in the dunes from September.
The Nobbies & Seal Rocks.
Boardwalks at the western tip of the island, with views out to Seal Rocks where Australia's largest fur seal colony hauls out. Blowhole fires on a big south swell. Get there well before the penguins arrive at sunset.
Penguin Parade, Summerland Beach.
The famous one. Little penguins waddle up the beach at dusk in groups of two and three. It's a real thing — not zoo-like, not staged. Book tickets in advance, especially through summer; the underground viewing is worth the upgrade.
Koala Conservation Reserve.
Elevated boardwalk through manna gum woodland. You will see koalas — they sleep about 20 hours a day, so they're rarely far from the walkway. Quiet, shaded, good for kids.
Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
A working historical farm on a small island connected by causeway. Sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, blacksmith shed, kitchen garden. Less performative than it sounds; it's a lovely afternoon if the weather isn't beach weather.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
One of the great motorcycle circuits in the world. Track tours run year-round; the MotoGP comes through in October and the place is unrecognisable that weekend. Even outside race days, the museum and the karting are good fun.
San Remo wharf.
Cross back over the bridge and you're in San Remo. Pelican feeding on the wharf at noon, fish co-op selling the day's catch, fish and chips on the foreshore. Worth it for the drive across the bridge alone — the water down the channel is a colour you can't quite explain.
— Kade