Looking across at Cowes Jetty

Cowes
Major township on Phillip Island
Located only 140 km south of Melbourne, at the northern end of Phillip Island, Cowes is a popular day trip from Melbourne. It is the main town and administrative centre of the island and features some pleasant sheltered beaches and an extensive range of accommodation. There are a number of attractions within the town with many others a short drive away. Cowes also has plenty in the way of general facilities such as motels, caravan parks, camping grounds, bed-and-breakfasts, a golf club, art exhibitions, a theatre, a cinema, souvenir and craft shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Church St has both a leisure centre and a recreation reserve (in Dunsmore Park). There is a golf club in Settlement Rd and both bowling and croquet clubs in Dunsmore Rd.

It is thought that, in pre-colonial times, Phillip Island was occupied by the Bunurong people. That colonial era was prefigured in January 1798 when George Bass entered Westernport on a voyage of exploration inspired by the survivors of the Sydney Cove (see entry on Wollongong). He named it Western Port as it was, at the time, the most westerly known harbour on the coast. Bass returned in October 1798 with Matthew Flinders. The two men were travelling down the mainland coast on board the 25-ton sloop Norfolk on a voyage intended to confirm their suspicion that a strait existed between the mainland and Van Diemen's Land (i.e., Tasmania). They anchored off what is now the settlement of Rhyll on the eastern side of Phillip Island. Bass thought that Cape Woolamai resembled the head of a snapper and so the island became known as Snapper Island.

Lieutenant James Grant made the first known passage through Bass Strait from the west in 1800. Governor King sent him back to the area the following year. During that voyage he constructed a simple cottage on Churchill Island and planted corn and wheat with seeds supplied by his friend John Churchill, after whom he named the island. This was the first European settlement in what is now Victoria. Consequently, Phillip Island became known, for a time, as Grant's Island, but its present name was later adopted in honour of Governor Phillip.

In 1802 Nicholas Baudin, the French explorer, sailed past, and named, French Island. In 1826 another French vessel, under Dumont d'Urville, examined Westernport, arousing apprehensions about French colonisation of the southern coastline. Coupled with this was the favourable report of the Westernport district made by explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell who believed that their 1824 overland journey from NSW had terminated at Westernport. Unfortunately they were mistaken, having actually completed their trek further west at Port Phillip. On the basis of their favourable comments Governor Darling decided to forestall any prospective French plans by establishing a military and agricultural settlement at Westernport. Captain Wright was dispatched with troops, 21 convicts and William Hovell. Wright established a small military settlement at the present-day site of Rhyll and called it Fort Dumaresq. However, fresh water proved a problem and the outpost was moved to Corinella on the eastern shoreline of Westernport.

Meanwhile Hovell's explorations of the coastline revealed his mistake and an erroneous report claiming that Westernport was unsuitable for agriculture, owing to poor soil and lack of fresh water, coupled with the absence of any Frenchmen, led to the abandonment of the Westernport settlements in 1828. The buildings were burned to prevent their usage by escapee convicts. As a result of this comedy of errors, settlement of the Port Phillip district was delayed for another seven years.

Throughout this period, because of the colonies of seals which inhabited the coastline, sealers made regular stopovers on the island. Their settlements were short-lived and designed only to process their catch.

Fishing from Cowes Jetty

The first permanent settlement of the island occurred in1842 when the McHaffie brothers were granted a pastoral lease covering almost the entire island. It thus served as a sheep run until1868 when the island was surveyed and made available to selectors. The first recorded land sale took place at Rhyll in 1868. More sales proceeded in 1869 at Cowes which was known as Mussel Point until 1865. It was renamed by government surveyor Henry Cox after a holiday retreat on England's Isle of Wight. Jetties were built at Rhyll in 1868 and at Cowes in 1870 to facilitate access from, and trade with, the mainland. By 1870 the Isle of Wight Hotel had also been built at Cowes.

165 settlers were to be found on the island in 1872. It was thought that wheat-growing would prove viable as Phillip Island was a short boat trip from the Melbourne markets, unlike the distant wheat belt of Western Victoria, although the industry never really got off the ground.

Fishing had emerged (particularly for crayfish) and chicory was grown for the first time in 1870. It is one of the charms of the island that you can still see, beside the road, the occasional chicory kiln with its strange tower and pitched roof. This plant, which is a root crop, was dried and converted into powder and mixed with coffee. It was claimed that chicory had medicinal properties. By the late 1940s nearly three-quarters of Australia's chicory crop was being grown on Phillip Island but it eventually faded owing to high labour costs and declining demand. Sheep, cattle and mustard were also produced in this era.

Municipal government commenced in 1871. However, development of the island was slow as a number of early settlers were forced to abandon their land owing to drought. An exodus occurred in the 1870s with much of the property bought up by a small number of landowners. By 1902 there were no more than 50 settlers.

The real development of the island occurred in the 1920s with the establishment of an access track to the penguin colony. Tourism was greatly stimulated with visitors accessing the island by means of the ferry service at Cowes where a number of grand guesthouses were built. Visitors tended to explore the island by horseback.

The Shire of Phillip Island was declared in 1928 and the first motor race was held on the island that same year. A bridge linked the island to the mainland for the first time in 1940.

An interesting footnote to the town's history suggests that the words of 'Waltzing Matilda' were written at Cowes. The Cowes Classic is held in January.

Things to see:  

Ferry
Visitors to Cowes can access the town by road or via Interisland Ferries. Ring (03) 9585 5730, or contact their web-site at www.interislandferries.com.au

The service, which departs from Cowes jetty, relays passengers to and from Tankerton jetty on French Island and to and from Stony Point jetty near Hastings.

To French Island the trip takes about twenty minutes. To Stony Point the trip takes thirty minutes.

Tourist Information
The Phillip Island Tourist Information Centre, at Newhaven, is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily with extended hours in the school holidays. Tickets can be purchased here for the Penguin Parade, Churchill Island, ferry cruises and scenic air flights. A Phillip Island Nature Pass covers entry charges to the Penguin Parade, Churchill Island, the Sea Rocks Sea Life Centre and the Koala Conservation Centre, tel: (03) 5956 7095 or (1300) 366 422.

Foreshore and Beaches
The Esplanade runs along the scenic foreshore of Westernport. There is a grassy embankment under cypress pines with picnic and barbecue facilities, a children's playground, toilets and a jetty which is a popular fishing spot. In front of the jetty are the War Memorial Gardens. Rock pools dapple the basalt rock formations. The beaches, lying below three low rocky headlands, are calmer than those on the island's southern shore. They face north across to French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. The waterfront is a good place to launch canoes, sailboards and other small craft and there is a boat ramp at the end of Anderson St, although larger craft can't be launched here at low tide.

From the intersection of Thompson Ave and The Esplanade you can walk west past Mussel Rocks (where there are free electric barbecues), the yacht club and Richardson Point. When you reach the boat ramp you can return along the beach or walk along Anderson St then turn left into Church St and return to the town centre.

Alternatively, you can walk east from the intersection of Thompson Ave and The Esplanade along what is known as The Lovers Walk. This course leads past Erewhon Point (where there are free electric barbecues), through tea-tree, banksia and yellow broom, opening out under fine tall jacarandas and pines. The latter were allegedly planted by Baron von Mueller, the first curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. The Lovers Walk ends at Dunsmore Rd. From here you can return along the beach or continue east to the inlet at Rhyll.

Anglers will find plenty of squid, snapper, channel whiting, gummy shark, flathead, King George whiting, flounder, Australian salmon, garfish, trevally and pike about.

Fishing trips and boat charter services are offered by Flytrek Australia (tel: 03 5952 5300) and T-Cat Fishing Charters, tel: (0409) 504 974.

Thompson Ave and Galleries
Thompson Ave is the main north-south road at Cowes. It is lined with a kilometre of golden cypress trees planted early in the 20th century and runs perpendicular to The Esplanade. The Phillip Island Community Art & Craft Gallery, at 91-97 Thompson Ave (by the Church St corner), is a community arts-and-crafts gallery open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5952 5252. The Blue Poles Gallery is at 200 Thompson St, tel: (03) 5952 3073.

The Phillip Island Heritage Centre
One block south on Thompson Ave, between Chapel St and Church St (past the post office), is the Phillip Island Heritage Centre which features exhibitions and a 20-minute video of the history and wildlife of the island. Displays relate to geology, natural history, Aboriginal history, maritime history, the early settlers and the island's bridges, schools and cemetery.

On December 27 and throughout January it is open from 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., Sunday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to midday. From February to Easter, and on all other school holidays, it is open Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to midday and on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. At Easter it is open Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to midday and on Sunday and Monday from 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. The rest of the year it opens on Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to midday and on Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. There is an admission charge, tel: (03) 5956 9214.

Grumpy's Amusements and Island Surf Centre
Over the road, at 152 Thompson Ave (near the Settlement Rd intersection), is Grumpy's Amusements which features an undercover, 18-hole mini-golf course open weekends and school holidays from 10.00 a.m. and at other times by appointment. There is also a waterslide which is open from November to Easter, weather permitting (times are displayed on a board out the front or on the phone), tel: (03) 5952 3060 or, after hours, tel: (03) 5952 5169. Over the road, at 147 Thompson Ave, is Island Surf Centre, tel: (03) 5952 2578.

Phillip Island Wildlife Park
If you continue south along Thompson Ave you will reach a four-way intersection where the Cowes-Rhyll Rd heads east, Ventnor Rd heads west, and Phillip Island Road heads south. 1 km south of this intersection, along Phillip Island Rd, is the Phillip Island Wildlife Park which is the largest privately-owned wildlife park in Victoria. It is an open-access park which incorporates 6.5 ha of wetland. There are over 900 animals in all, including emus, echidnae, crocodiles, dingoes, goannas, wedge-tailed eagles, pelicans, koalas, snakes, kangaroos, black swans, wallabies, dingoes, rosellas, lorikeets, kookaburras, native owls, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, wombats and a nocturnal animals centre. There are picnic areas, souvenirs, toilets, barbecues and a kiosk. It opens daily at 9.00 a.m. but it is advisable to ring and check closing times as these vary throughout the year. The admission fee includes a bag of animal food. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5952 2038.

Woolshed Craft Shop and Farm
If you turn off Thompson Ave into Ventnor Rd and follow it westwards for about 3 km you will come to Berrys Beach Rd which heads off to the left. Along here is the Woolshed Craft Shop and Farm which sells a range of Australian products including handspun jumpers, hats and souvenirs. There is a restaurant, a playground and disabled facilities. It is open daily from midday to dusk, tel: (03) 5956 8414.

Lavinia's Dolls of the World
Lavinia's Dolls of the World, displaying over 500 international and character dolls, is open by appointment, tel: (03) 5952 2258. It is located in the Anchor Belle Caravan Park at 272 Church St, which runs parallel to The Esplanade, two blocks south.

Indy Go Karts and Funshed
Indy Go Karts and Funshed is located at 91 Settlement Rd which runs parallel to The Esplanade, three blocks south. It is on the eastern side of Thompson Ave. There are kids' and adult karts, double-seaters, dodgems, a giant 8-lane slot-car track, a snack bar, toddler and tiny tot areas, trampolines, a bouncing castle, games and activities. Outside of school holidays, the Go-Karts are operational from midday to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on weekends. The Funshed is open from midday to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. During the school holidays, the Go-Karts are open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and the Funshed from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5952 3977.

Island Influence
Adjacent, at 87-89 Settlement Rd, is Island Influence, an arts-and-crafts shop which is open Thursday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and, on Wednesdays, from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5952 3815.

Cowes Market
A market is held every Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. in Settlement Rd. Handmade art-and-craft items are on display.

Other Tourist Attractions
Phillip Island has numerous sites of interest which are to be found further afield. They are listed below, along with instructions on how to get to them from Cowes, but, for detailed information on each, see the entry on Phillip Island.

To access these other attractions it is necessary to first head south along Thompson Ave to the four-way intersection where the Cowes-Rhyll Rd heads east, Ventnor Rd heads west, and Phillip Island Road heads south. The attractions further afield are grouped below according to which of these three main roads the visitor pursues.

(A) Tourist Attractions on the Cowes-Rhyll Road
The Cowes-Rhyll Road leads east past Conservation Hill, where there is an observation tower. From this point there is a walking/cycling track to Rhyll inlet. For further information on these attractions see the entry on Phillip Island.

(B) Tourist Attractions Along Ventnor Rd and Back Beach Rd
5 km west of the four-way intersection, along Ventnor Rd, is a turnoff on the right into Ventnor Beach Rd. 500 m further along Ventnor Rd is another turnoff, on the right, to Grossard Point where you will find the historic grave of W.P. Grossard.

If you continue along Ventnor Road for another 2.5 km you will come to the intersection with Back Beach Rd which heads off to the left. If you ignore this turnoff, for the moment, and continue along Ventnor Rd, it leads out along the Summerland peninsula, past Swan Lake Reserve, the Penguin Parade site at Summerland Beach (on the southern side of the peninsula) and the beaches on the northern side of the peninsula. Ventnor Road terminates at Point Grant where you will find the Nobbies, Seal Rocks, the Blowhole and the Sea Rocks Sea Life Centre.

If, instead, you turn left off Ventnor Rd into the aforementioned Back Beach Rd it leads past the turnoffs, on the right, into Kitty Miller Rd (which leads to Kitty Miller Bay and the wreck of the SS Speke), Berrys Beach Rd (which leads to the Phillip Island Winery, the Woolshed Restaurant and Berrys Beach), Pyramid Rock Rd (which leads to Pyramid Rock on the coast), the entrance road to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Centre, and Smiths Beach Road (which leads to Smiths Beach). It is possible to turn directly off Ventnor Rd into Berrys Beach Road and Pyramid Rock Rd.

For further information on these attractions see the entry on Phillip Island.

(C) Tourist Attractions Accessed Via Phillip Island Rd
Phillip Island Tourist Rd heads south from the four-way intersection then veers south-east to Newhaven and the bridge across to San Remo.

4 km south of the 4-way intersection, to the left, is Harbison Rd which leads past the Oswin Roberts Reserve and the walking/cycling tracks to Conservation Hill and the Rhyll inlet.

If you stay on Phillip Island Rd, instead of turning into Harbison Rd, you will very soon pass the Koala Conservation Centre on the left and A Maze 'n' Things Holiday Park on the right.

A little over a kilometre beyond A Maze 'n' Things is the intersection with the eastern end of Back Beach Rd. If you turn into Back Beach Rd it leads past turnoffs on the left to Smiths Beach, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitors Centre, Pyramid Rock, the Phillip Island Winery, the Woolshed Restaurant, Berrys Beach and Kitty Miller Bay, before intersecting with Ventnor Rd

If the visitor ignores the turnoff into Back Beach Rd and continues south-east along Phillip Island Rd it leads past turnoffs on the right to Surf Beach and Surfies Point, Forrest Caves, Cape Woolamai and The Colonnades.

Just west of Newhaven is the turnoff on the left to Churchill Island. For further information on these attractions see the entry on Phillip Island. Those attractions found within the township of Newhaven itself can be found by going to that site.

Tours
Bay Connections operate regular scenic cruises, with commentary, from Cowes. One journeys along the Phillip Island coastline to Seal Rocks; another crosses over to French Island where it conjoins with a bus tour of the island, and a third cruise investigates Westernport. From November to May there are also special cruises to the Balnarring market (see entry on Somers), occasional cruises around Wilsons Promontory and, from June to August, a whale and seal-watching cruise. There is also a transfer package from the Mornington Peninsula to the motorcycle racing track during the Grand Prix. They have an office at the rotunda on the Cowes Foreshore, tel: (03) 5678 5642 or fax: (03) 5678 5859. Their web-site is at www.bayconnections.com.au

Surefoot Explorations, who specialise in birdwatching, offer a small-scale guided nature tours around the island, tel: (03) 5952 1533 or check out their web-site at www.surefoot.com.au.

Phillip Island Marine Eco Tours operate licenced cruises with commentary , taking in Rhyll wetlands, tel: (0427) 056 628.

Island Scenic Tours offer penguin parade tours, island sightseeing tours and personally tailored expeditions, tel: (03) 5952 1042 or (0417) 360 370.

	Tourist Information
	Cowes Tourist Information & Gift Centre 71 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2650
	Motels
	Arthur Phillip Motor Inn cnr Thompson Ave & Redwood Dve Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3788 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3748 Rating: ****
	Coachman Motel & Holiday Units 51 Chapel St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1098 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1283 Rating: ****
	Glen Isla Motel 234 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2822 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2822 Rating: **1/2
	Holiday Island Motel 349 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2285 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1103 Rating: **1/2
	Isle of Wight Motel/Hotel 9 Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2301
	Kaloha Motel Cnr Chapel & Steele Sts Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2179 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2723 Rating: ***1/2
	Seahorse Motel at Phillip Island 29 Chapel St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2003 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3775 Rating: ***1/2
	The Continental Phillip Island 5-8 Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2316 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1878 Rating: ****
	Tropicana Motor Inn 22 Osbourne Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1874 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2272 Rating: ****
	Banfields Motel 192 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2486 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3056 Rating: ****1/2
	Hotels
	Glen Isla House 230-232 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1882 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5028 Rating: ****1/2
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Aljara 170 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2155 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5763 Rating: ****
	Charlottes Bed & Breakfast 320 Settlement Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3175
	Cliff Top House Bed & Breakfast 1 Marlin St Smiths Beach Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1033 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1423 Rating: ****1/2
	Cowes Bed & Breakfast 1 Charmandene Crt Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5146 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5846 Rating: ***1/2
	Dumfries Park 223 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2820 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2820 Rating: ****
	Genesta House Bed & Breakfast 18 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3616 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3616 Rating: ****1/2
	Lamberts Hill Country Bed & Breakfast Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3676
	Narrabeen Guest House 16 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2062 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3670 Rating: ****1/2
	Number Nine Gordon Street Bed & Breakfast 9 Gordon St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2282
	Otira on Needles Eye RMB 1165 Ventnor Beach Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5956 8294 Facsimile: (03) 5956 8741 Rating: ****
	Redrocks Hideaway Bed & Breakfast 627a Settlement Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3333
	The Castle -Villa by the Sea Bed & Breakfast 7 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1228 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3926 Rating: ****1/2
	Tiehack Estates 27-29 Settlement Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3046
	Windermere on Birdwood 10 Birdwood Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1979
	Holmwood Guesthouse Cnr Chapel & Steele Sts Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3082 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3083 Rating: ****1/2
	Rothsaye Bed & Breakfast on Lovers Walk 2 Roy Court Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2057 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2057 Rating: ****1/2
	Apartments
	Abaleigh on Lovers Walk 6 Roy Crt Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5649 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2549 Rating: ****1/2
	Anchor & Waves Apartments 1 Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1351 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3144 Rating: ****
	Dixon Lodge Holiday Apartments 68 Walton St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2108 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2246 Rating: ***1/2
	Park View Holiday Apartments 2 Park St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1496 Facsimile: (03) 5952 6496 Rating: ***1/2
	Quest Phillip Island cnr Bass Ave & Chapel St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2644 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2377 Rating: ****1/2
	Sheerwater Holiday Apartments 32 Beach St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2528 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3107 Rating: ***
	Holiday Homes & Units
	McHaffies Lodge 4 McHaffie Dve Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1140 Rating: ***
	The Green Garden Gate 202 Thomson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2628
	Cottages & Cabins
	Abaleigh Cottage 33 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2057 Rating: ****
	Alexanders on Church cnr Church St & Alexander Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3345 Rating: ****
	Cottages for Two 226 Settlement Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2426 Facsimile: (03) 5952 6300 Rating: *****
	Cowes Cottages 100 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5199 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3045 Rating: ****
	Cowes Eco Cottage cnr Justice Rd & Ventnor Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 6466 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3950 Rating: ****
	Hobson Holiday Lodge 189 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5088 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5088 Rating: ***
	Narrabeen Cottage Gourmet Getaway 16 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2062 Rating: ****
	Phillip Island Cottages 21 Osbourne Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3068 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3068 Rating: ****
	Seagull Cottage 6 Chapel St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5033
	Smiths Beach Cottages 17 Barramundi Ave Smiths Beach Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5702 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5702 Rating: ***
	Lodges & Chalets
	McHaffies Lodge 4 McHaffies Dve Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1140 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	A Maze 'N' Things Holiday Park 1430a Phillip Island Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2020 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3031 Rating: **1/2
	Amaroo Caravan Park Cnr Church St & Osborne Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2548 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3620 Rating: ***1/2
	Anchor Belle Holiday Park 272 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2258 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3110 Rating: ****1/2
	Bayside Caravan Park 7 Beach St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2058 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1831 Rating: ***
	Beach Park Tourist Caravan Park 2 McKenzie Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2113 Facsimile: (03) 5952 3107 Rating: ****1/2
	Boomerang Caravan Park 121 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2348 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2367 Rating: ***1/2
	Bushy Park Caravan Park 55-67 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2153 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2153 Rating: ***
	Cowes Caravan Park 164 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2211 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5521 Rating: ****
	Islander Caravan Park 137 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2023 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2023 Rating: ***1/2
	Kaloha Holiday Park Cnr Chapel & Steele Sts Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2179 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2723 Rating: ***
	Seaview Caravan Park 411 Settlement Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2033 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2033 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Banfields Restaurant 192 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2088
	Bistro 115 115 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 6226
	Carmichael's Restaurant 17 The Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1300
	Cave Seafood Restaurant 7 Main-Tourist Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3622
	Charmandene Cottage Restaurant 27-31 Osbourne Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1386
	Glen Isla House 230-232 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1882 Facsimile: (03) 5952 5028
	Happy Holiday Seafood Restaurant 138 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2048
	Harry's & Sails at The Continental at Phillip Island Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2316
	Holiday Island Motel 349 Church St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2285 Facsimile: (03) 5952 1103
	Isola Di Capri Restaurant 2 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2435
	Jeronimo's Pizza 7 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3017
	Kaloha Motel Cnr Chapel & Steele Sts Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2179 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2723
	Narrabeen Cottage Gourmet Getaway 16 Steele St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2062
	Panhandles 145 The Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2741
	Pino's Trattoria Restaurant 29 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2808
	Taylor's Waterfront Restaurant & Accommodation Phillip Island Tourist Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5956 7371
	The Anchor at Cowes Motel Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1351
	The Jetty Restaurant The Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2060
	Tropicana Motor Inn 22 Osbourne Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1874
	Tropicana Motor Inn 22 Osbourne Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1874 Facsimile: (03) 5952 2272
	Wing Ho Chinese Restaurant 81 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2073
	Woolshed Restaurant Berry's Beach Rd Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5956 8414
	Cafés
	Cafe Terrazzo 5 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 3773
	Clock Cafe 4 The Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2856
	Island Fish Cafe 7b Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 1636
	Madcowes Cafe & Food Store Shop 4/17 The Esplanade Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2560
	The Continental Chocolate Cafe 34 Thompson Ave Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 5111
	The Parkside Cafe 272 Chapel St Cowes VIC 3922 Telephone: (03) 5952 2951