The Nobbies sit pretty at Point Grant, right on the western tip of Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, where the Summerland Peninsula meets Bass Strait. The boardwalks that lace the headland above a sea cave and the Nobbies rock formations lead down to Seal Rocks,s which sit out in the water.
It doesn’t take long to get out into that jaw-dropping landscape. The walk itself is a quick one, about twenty minutes, and distance is no indicator of how much is actually going on along the coast. That’s what makes The Nobbies such a great spot to wrap up before the Penguin Parade.
Experience The Western Headland
The boardwalk, made of timber, winds away from the car park and hugs the edge of the headland, overlooking Bass Strait. Now I know official sources reckon it’s around 500 or 800 metres long, though 20 minutes is a more straightforward measure of how long the walk takes. Most of the upper section is easily accessible by wheelchair; the lower section has a flight of stairs.
Down below you’ve got the Blowhole cutting into the coastline through a sea cave. When the southern swells are bigger, the water gets blown through the opening — but on a calm day, you might not even notice anything. I wouldn’t bother planning my visit around the Blowhole; that’s just not worth it.
But what really stuck with me was the way the entire place just opens out at Point Grant. The vegetation grows right down low, the dark rock plunges into the sea and that horizon just seems to stretch on for miles. The Blowhole is worth a look, butit’ss just one piece of a coastline that really is the main attraction.
Know What Wildlife You Can Actually See
Seal Rocks looks close enough from the headland until you realise it sits roughly 2 km offshore. Around 20,000 Australian fur seals use the colony — about a quarter of the species’ total population — but this is distant seal viewing, not a close encounter. Bring binoculars and the experience becomes considerably more rewarding.
Little Penguins breed around the Summerland Peninsula too, although seeing one here during the day is rare. Silver Gulls and other seabirds are far more obvious. Think of The Nobbies as penguin habitat rather than a substitute for the Penguin Parade, where Little Penguins come ashore around sunset.
Winter gives you another reason to watch the horizon. Whales pass Phillip Island from roughly late May to September, with June and July generally offering the best chance. Point Grant offers plenty of Bass Strait to scan, but patience matters, and sightings are never guaranteed.
Allow More Than The Walking Time
You could cover the boardwalk in 20 minutes. I wouldn’t. Give it 45–60 minutes, and there is time to stop above the Blowhole, scan Seal Rocks, and linger where the view opens up properly, rather than treating the walk as something to complete.
The headland is exposed, and that becomes obvious once you are away from the car park. Wind can make the western tip feel considerably cooler than other parts of Phillip Island, especially towards evening. A warm layer earns its place here.
Time Your Visit Well
The Nobbies makes most sense before the Penguin Parade. Both sit on the western Summerland Peninsula within Phillip Island Nature Parks, so the headland works neatly as the last daylight stop rather than another excursion across the island.
Let the Penguin Parade set the clock. General Viewing visitors are advised to arrive at least one hour before the penguins are expected, so work backwards from that rather than squeezing in one final viewpoint. Leave some margin on the road as dusk approaches, when wildlife becomes more active.
If you actually want to stretch your legs, Cape Woolamai is a different proposition. Its shorter main route is about 4.5 km and takes 1½ hours, while the full 8 km circuit takes around 4 hours. Choose Woolamai when walking is the point; choose The Nobbies when you want the wild western coast without surrendering half the day to it.
Plan For The Conditions On Arrival
The outdoor boardwalks are free to visit, with a sealed car park and accessible parking close to the start. Much of the upper timber boardwalk is wheelchair and pram-accessible, although the lower section has steps. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted, and drones require permission within areas managed by Phillip Island Nature Parks.
One current detail matters. As of September 2026, the Nobbies Centre, café and public toilets are temporarily closed, while the car park and boardwalks remain open. Use the café and toilets at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre instead. Further boardwalk maintenance is expected around late November and early December 2026, so check access before travelling during that period.
Make The Stop Worth Your Time
The Nobbies holds its own on a Phillip Island day because it doesn’t put a lot of demands on you – it just gives you a taste of the island’s western coast in all its glory. If you’re after a longer walk or a close-up seal, whale, or Little Penguin encounter, you’ll probably be a bit disappointed with the location, though.
For a first visit, 45-60 minutes is probably about right. That gives you enough time to stop worrying about the clock, but still leaves you with plenty of time to take in the rest of the island.
FAQ
Is The Nobbies free to visit?
Yup, The Nobbies Walk and the outdoor boardwalks are free to get to. The nearby Penguin Parade is a separate ticketed thing.
