Cowes vacation rentals

Watch koalas and kangaroos in Cowes

The quiet little town of Cowes swells during the summer months with visitors descending upon Phillip Island to dine out at the oceanfront eateries, sample craft beer at the Rusty Water Brewery, sun themselves on the sandy beaches and watching koalas and kangaroos at the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. Whether you're coming for a romantic retreat for 2, or a family getaway with the kids, Cowes has you covered. You can spend the morning watching migrating whales and then return to the island to race around the Grand Prix track or visit one of the galleries.

Natural attractions in Cowes

If you're staying in your Cowes vacation rental with kids, you've come to the right place. Head down to A Maze'N Things theme park to literally get lost. When you find your way back out of the maze, there are interactive games, illusion rooms and puzzles that will keep the children happy for hours. You can also take them down to one of Phillip Island's most fascinating natural attractions, the Penguin Parade, where you can watch the penguins jump out of the sea and waddle across the sand every day at dusk. Alternatively, get your adrenaline pumping at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Explore on 2 wheels

If you've just got a couple of days in Cowes, equipping yourself with a rental bike is the best move you can make. On your 2 wheels, you can take advantage of Phillip Island's sparse traffic and ride along the well-paved roads. If that's not your thing, there are plenty of hiking trails including the Ventor Beach Walk and the Bush to Bay which takes you past some mangroves, forests, nesting birds and scenic viewpoints. In the afternoon, why not jump on board one of the whale-watching charters to spot majestic whales fluking out at sea?

Something for all seasons

The only thing that's predictable about the weather in Cowes is that's its unpredictable. As they say locally, if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes. However, it doesn't suffer from extreme swings in climate. If you visit between December and February, the long days are often warm and sunny. While spring and fall may be a little cooler, they are often still warm enough to dine outside or take part in the outdoor activities. Winter nights can be cold and the mornings foggy, but wrap up warm and you can while away the days in the cozy cafes and restaurants.

Watch bounding kangaroos

Just a short drive from your Cowes vacation rental is the Phillip Island Wildlife Park, a conservation area brimming with more than 100 different species of animals. Watch roaming red kangaroos with their joeys bounding past, while koalas hug the trunks of gum trees. Birders will be particularly taken with tawny frogmouths, as well as different species of owls, noisy cockatoos and colorful parrots. Watch the kids come alive with excitement when they see the hanging bats and the enormous flightless emus. An absolute must when you're in Cowes.

Transportation to and around Cowes

The nearest airport is in Avalon Airport (AVV), located 50.8 mi (81.7 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon), which is 53.3 mi (85.8 km) away.