Cowes Local Knowledge
- Activities (3)
- Must do/see (1)
- Eating out (3)
- Entertainment (2)
- What to do (4)
- What to see (1)
Activities
This high adventure one hour boat ride is the first of its kind. Combing an enthralling, swell jumping journey around the rugged south west coast of Phillip Island, it takes in awesome scenery and amazing, abundant wildlife
This tour is the ultimate experience for those interested in Australian animals and Phillip Island. Rangers will talk to us about some of our native animals, we learn about wombats, kangaroos and koalas, enjoy Churchill Island and learn all about the Little Penguins.
Experience a true eco-cruise along the scenic coast of Phillip Island to Seal Rocks. Feel the atmosphere as the skillful captain maneuvers the cruise amongst the rocks where thousands of fur seals play! You are in for a truly amazing wildlife and educational eco-experience!
Must do/see
 |
Fairy PenguinsWorld famous Fairy Penguins, 15 minutes drive from Silverleaves. Each night at sunset, the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Penguins, emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows. |
Ph. 5951 2800 |
Eating out
 |
Cowes RSL ClubWe recommend the Cowes RSL club for excellent quality meals, at reasonable pricing. Also available is a gaming lounge and outdoor dining. Just recently opened, it is a large modern facilty(210 seat bistro) |
03 5952 1004 |
 |
General StoreSilverleaves Store serves great coffee, Gippsland wines and breakfast and lunch. The gourmet produce and local cheeses are a favorite with locals and visitors. |
0409 521 825 |
 |
Mad Cowes CafeMad Cowes is a relaxed coffee/dining cafe for breakfast and lunches. Situated at 4 The Esplanade, overlooking Cowes main beach, it is our favourite coffee spot. |
03 5952 2741 |
Entertainment
 |
Grand Prix CircuitPhillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will drop your jaw and dazzle your eyes. This is your chance to experience the iconic venue in the flesh. Let rip in a go kart on our replica Grand Prix track, or buckle in for the real deal; an adrenalin-amping triple lap lightning ride around the Phillip Island circuit with an experienced racing driver in our HSV Hot Laps. Revisit the heart-pumping history of the venue within the Visitor Centre’s History of Motorsport Display. Share the crazy adventures of pioneering racers who blazed a dusty, muddy and frequently dangerous trail for today’s international superstars. Ogle at real life examples of the sleek machines they raced, including vintage, classic and contemporary cars and bikes. Follow in the footsteps of motorcycle racing champions on a Guided Circuit Tour. This allows you exclusive access to all sorts of off-limits areas trackside, including the Control Tower, Media Centre, Pit lane, Pit Roof and where every racer would love to finish – the winner’s podium being sprayed with champagne! All with a stunning natural backdrop of some of the most breathtaking coastline on the island with rolling hills, rugged cliffs and ocean to the horizon views. Or just relax with a latte and lunch in the Champion’s Cafe, take a stroll in the tranquil gardens while the kids (big and small) test their skills in the interactive Games Room. Don’t forget the Gift Shop overflowing with racing memorabilia just perfect for capturing the spirit and excitement of your experience. |
03 5952 2710 |
 |
PenguinsWorld famous Fairy Penguins, 5 minutes drive from Ventnor. Each night at sunset, the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Penguins, emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows. |
5951 2800 |
What to do
 |
Beach WalkingThe Ventnor Beach is fantastic for walking, early morning or evening. One hour from house to Cowes Jetty and a quiet one at the Isle of Wight. Low tide produces a large area of incredible rock pools, fantastic for the kids |
|
 |
Beach WalkingThe Silverleaves Beach is fantastic for walking, early morning or evening. Twenty minute walk along beach to Cowes Jetty and a quiet one at the Isle of Wight. Low tide produces a large area of incredible sand flats, fantastic for the kids toplay or fly a kite. |
|
 |
Red Rocks BeachRed Rocks Beach faces north on to Westernport Bay about 3 km west of the Cowes jetty. The beach is suitable for swimming by supervised small children. At low tide there are outcrops of rocks with lots of small tidal pools to explore, and just behind the beach there is a belt of trees which give some shade at the back edge of the beach. Car parking is available at the beach end of Red Rocks Road, and there is a small park with toilets and electric barbecues. Access to the beach from the car park is by footpath through the trees and then some timber stairs down to the beach itself. There is also a fire trail which runs along behind the tree belt from Red Rocks Road to Church Street, and there are several narrow paths leading from this trail down to the beach. |
|
 |
SurfingFrom Ventor it is five minutes to Cat Bay, Flynns Beach and Shelley Beach, all are near Penguins or 10 minutes gets you to Smiths Beach or 12 minutes to Woolamai. |
What to see
 |
Moon BirdsVentnor has a wonderful migratory bird called the Short-tailed Shearwater nesting in the dunes to the west of Grossard Point. You can view these birds on dusk between September 24th and Easter. These birds travel 16000km's each year from Alaska to nest in the dunes and have their chicks. When the sky begins to turn dark, thousands of birds blacken the sky to return to their burrows in the sand. Please visit the Phillip Island Nature Park web site for more information on these amazing birds and how we can help to protect them. |