Whale Discovery Trail, Phillip Island

Phillip Island, a gem of the Bass Coast, offers an experience you’ll never forget – stunning coastal scenery and the thrill of seeing the ocean’s giants. The Whale Discovery Trail, a series of top spots across the island, takes you through Phillip Island’s rugged coastline, natural spaces and viewing areas like Cape Woolamai and Pyramid Rock. Whether you’re a seasoned whale watcher or a family looking to get back to nature, this trail gets you up close and personal with whales and the marine life of the Bass Coast. With interpretive signage and convenient stops like the Visitor Information Centre, you’ll learn about the natural habitat of these magnificent creatures.

Phillip Island Coastal Wonders

The Bass Coast is famous for its coastline, where cliffs meet shallow waters full of marine life. Cape Woolamai, Grossard Point and Pyramid Rock are standouts for their unique rock formations, steep drop-offs and views of Bass Strait. These coastal environments are more than just pretty – they’re ecosystems for whales, Australian fur seals and migratory seabirds like masked boobies, short-tailed shearwaters and shy albatross. With viewing areas like the elevated platforms at Cape Woolamai and Seal Rocks, you’re in the right spot to see the island’s wildlife – the fur seal colony and the humpback whales that pass through these warmer waters. The combination of wild surf beaches, shallow bay beaches and quiet spaces makes the coastal trail a nature experience in full.

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales are the main attraction on the Phillip Island Whale Discovery Trail. With their rounded blows and acrobatic displays, they’ll have you mesmerised as they swim along the southern coast. From early June to late October, humpbacks travel along the Victorian coast, moving from the cold Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer breeding waters. Seeing them in their natural habitat is a humbling experience, and educational interpretive signage explains whale behaviour, such as breaching and tail slapping. Occasionally, southern rights and even orcas will be seen, adding to the excitement of spotting these magnificent creatures.

Whale Season

Whale season on Phillip Island is a special time when the island becomes a mecca for whale watchers and marine life lovers. In the cooler months of June to October, humpbacks and other species are seen in the area, so spots along the Bass Coast Whale Discovery Trail are hot to trot. If you’re visiting in winter, options like 4-hour Winter Whale Cruises and guided Dolphin & Whale Cruises with Wildlife Coast Cruises get you up close and personal with the whales in the Bass Strait. The Winter Whale Trail is a visitor favourite, with local whale sightings posted by Phillip Island Nature Parks so you can stay informed.

Trail Locations

The Whale Discovery Trail takes in some of Phillip Island’s most beautiful spots, including The Nobbies, Churchill Island and Cape Woolamai, each with its own special views of the island. The Nobbies, with its cliffs, is home to Seal Rocks, where thousands of curious seals sunbathe on the rocks below and where you can see whales and Australian fur seals in one visit. Pyramid Rock, with its pink granite formations, and Grossard Point are also great locations, with viewing platforms where you can sit and watch whale spouts and playful breaches. For a broader view, Churchill Island Marine National Park has views of the coastal waters and open spaces, making it the perfect spot to watch whales.

Scenic Flights

For a special view, Phillip Island tours also offer scenic flights that take in the island’s rugged coastline, coastal waters and whales migrating along the southern coast. Aerial tours cover key spots like Cape Woolamai, Wilsons Promontory and Western Port and show you the trail and beyond, including Summerlands Beach and Port Albert. Flying over Phillip Island, you can see pods of humpbacks moving through the coastal waters and see the coastline from a different angle. These flights often include morning tea and are a great option if you want to see it all.

Land-based Whale Watching

Land-based whale watching is easy and fun along the Whale Discovery Trail, with many great viewing spots around Phillip Island. Lookouts at The Nobbies and Cape Woolamai are spectacular, while Grossard Point and Pyramid Rock are prime locations where whale sightings are common. These areas have interpretive signage to help you spot signs of whales, such as their V-shaped blows or rounded blows, so it’s educational as well as exciting. Whether you’re on a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb, these coastal viewing spots get you up close and personal with Phillip Island’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Tours

Guided tours are the best way to experience the Whale Discovery Trail, with several local operators offering whale cruises that get you up close and personal. Wildlife Coast Cruises, for example, offer 4-hour Winter Whale Cruises that cruise the waters around Phillip Island, often with knowledgeable guides who will share their knowledge on whale behaviour, the coastal ecosystem and conservation efforts. Other tours allow you to see native wildlife like koalas, fur seals, and marine life in their natural habitat. These tours will give you a deeper understanding of the island’s wildlife and get you up close and personal with the magnificent creatures.

When to Visit

Timing is everything when it comes to whale watching on Phillip Island. Winter months (June to August) are the peak whale season, so that’s the best time to see whales along the trail. Plan around the local whale notifications or pop into the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre to decide which days to visit. Early mornings and late afternoons are also the best times, as whales are more active during these hours. Local whale notifications and updates from Phillip Island Nature Parks will keep you in the know and ready to spot.

Top Tips to Spot Whales

A few tips will help you spot whales along the trail. Patience and timing are everything, as whales can surface and disappear at any moment. Binoculars are a must to spot whales in the distance and keep an eye out for spouts (rounded or V-shaped blows) to know a whale is near. Bring a warm jacket and plan your visit around good weather, and you’ll be comfortable. If you want to add on some extra experiences, a trip to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade or Panny’s Phillip Island Chocolate Factory makes for a great day.