Churchill Island Heritage Farm

The basics

Prior to European arrival, the Bunurong people had connections to Moonar’mia, their name for Churchill Island, dating back tens of thousands of years. Upon European settlement, the island was cultivated and became a summer retreat. Visitors nowadays can get a peek into its history through the daily farming activities that are included in a ticket to the Heritage Farm. Other options include hiking, cycling, and horse-and-carriage rides with Clydesdale horses. Travelers typically visit Churchill Island independently, on day or overnight trips from Melbourne to Phillip Island.

Things to know before you go

• Churchill Island Heritage Farm is a ticketed attraction, but visitors can walk or bike around the island free of charge. Kids under 4 years old are free, and economical family tickets are available.

• Farm displays, such as cow milking and sheep shearing, run according to a daily schedule. Check the attraction’s website for current timings.

• There’s a café at the farm, or you can bring your own picnic.

• The farm is generally accessible, with some accessible parking, accessible toilets, and hard-packed gravel paths.

How to get there

Churchill Island is about a 90-minute drive southeast of Melbourne. Follow the Monash Freeway, South Gippsland Highway, and Bass Highway until you reach Phillip Island Tourist Road and Phillip Island itself. This is connected to the mainland by a road bridge at San Remo. Once on Phillip Island, follow the signs to Churchill Island, which is connected by a road bridge.

When to get there

The Heritage Farm is open every day from mid-morning to late-afternoon. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time, but most visitors will want to spend more than 30 minutes here, so try to arrive earlier. The café keeps similar hours, and hosts a farmers market on Saturday mornings.

Watch the penguin parade

Most visitors to Phillip Island come to check out the daily “penguin parade,” when cute Little Penguins waddle back to shore to their burrows after a day out at sea. Phillip Island is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins in the world, so wildlife enthusiasts shouldn’t miss this experience. The penguin parade occurs in the evening, so an ideal itinerary is to check out Churchill Island during the day before seeing the penguins at night.