[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We love Phillip Island. Penguins, motorbike racing and farm stays – what’s not to love? The best part is that Phillip Island is accessible. We asked Bron Leeks from Smith’s Holiday Road for her tips on accessible Phillip Island travel. Here are her tips on where to stay, play and eat.
Bron Smith talks accessible Phillip Island travel. Picture: Bron Leeks
By Bron Leeks
Phillip Island is two hours from Melbourne and the perfect place for a family getaway. For a wheelchair user, this island is also a great place for adventure. You can get up close and personal with the resident penguins, taste local produce and experience fun activities.
Where to Stay
Ripples and Tonic Farm-stay has six accessible Phillip Island family cabins with two or three bedrooms. Each cabin has barrier-free bathrooms and a range of equipment for personal needs.
Children can get involved in farm life by feeding the sheep, pigs and horses each morning. The farm has an in-ground trampoline and barrier-free walkways. The communal camp kitchen and fire is the perfect spot to toast marshmallows in the evening.
Expect plenty of animal encounters on Phillip Island. Picture: Bron Leeks
Where to Eat
Cowes town centre has a great little cafe called Cheeky Goose, housed in an old chapel. Cheeky Goose has kids activities and a great children menu. My kids loved the pancakes.
By the water, the Fishermans CoOp in San Remo has a great seafood menu and views across the water.
For dinner, the RSL in Cowes is great for the whole family. It has a kids play area and a dedicated kids menu.
Phillip Island is a great place to travel with kids. Picture: Bron Leeks
Where to Play
Phillip Island is all about nature. So expect loads of activities for families to learn and engage with native wildlife.
The Koala Conservation Centre allows you to engage with the resident koalas. Churchill Island Farm teaches families about shearing sheep, milking cows and cracking a whip. At the evening Penguin Parade, you can see the adorable fairy penguins coming in from a day at sea.
All these activities are wheelchair accessible. They have boardwalks, paved paths, accessible parking and bathrooms.
Wet weather? No problem. The kids will love ten-pin bowling.
Many of the paths on Phillip Island are accessible. Picture: Bron Leeks
Free Fun
Pelican feeding demonstrations occur at midday each day outside the Fishermans CO-OP. Families often love to walk along the pier and see stingrays.
The Nobbies boardwalk is wheelchair accessible to the left of the pathway. It takes you to see some amazing views of Bass Strait.
The Bass Coast Visitors Centre has beach wheelchairs for hire. Check with them before you go as the locations are limited.
READ MORE:
Bron Leek’s review of Churchill Heritage Farm
Catriona Rowntree’s top places to travel with kids in Australia
The Nobbies, Phillip Island: A kids view (VIDEO)
You need to know these family camping hacks
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