Little penguins waddle up the beach to their burrows every evening at sunset. Arrive about an hour before the arrival time on the official calendar, and book ahead, because bookings are essential. General viewing was $17 for kids aged 4 to 15 in October 2026, infants need a ticket too, and photos aren't allowed during the parade.

Two easy treetop boardwalks, 800m and 600m long, give close-up views of koalas, and each takes about 20 minutes. They are ramped and wheelchair accessible, and the gravel paths suit strollers. Entry for two adults and two kids was $43.75 in October 2026, and the reserve opens 10am to 5.30pm.

Daily farm demonstrations are included with entry, including cow milking at 2.10pm and sheep shearing at 2.30pm. Working dogs and whip cracking run twice a day, and wagon rides cost $7 on weekends and school holidays. The farm is about 10 minutes' drive from the bridge, with free parking.

The Nobbies boardwalks wind 500m along the clifftop, looking over a blowhole towards Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest fur seal colony. You may even see a migrating whale in season. The Nobbies Centre, cafe and toilets are closed, so use the toilets at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, which opens at noon.

Cowes main beach faces north, right beside the Esplanade's shops and cafes. Lifesavers patrol it in summer, so swim between the red and yellow flags. Nature Parks advises against swimming at Woolamai, Forrest Caves and Berrys Beach, so save the swim for a patrolled beach like this one.

Pelicans gather on the San Remo foreshore for a feed every day at midday. Kids can watch them jostle and dance while learning about what pelicans eat and how they live. San Remo sits just over the bridge from the island, so it's an easy stop on the way in or out.

The Pinnacles return walk is 4.4km and takes about two hours from the Woolamai beach car park. From late September to April, around half a million shearwaters nest here after flying in from Alaska. The cape is exposed, so bring water and layers, and skip a swim at Woolamai Beach, which Nature Parks advises against.

The History of Motorsport display tells the island's racing story, from Australia's first car grand prix in 1928 to today. Its rooms hold about 30 race motorcycles, many of them world championship winners. Entry was $13.60 for kids aged 5 to 15 in October 2026, and a 750m go-kart track beside the circuit copies its layout.

The Bass Coast Rail Trail is a mostly flat 23km path and Victoria's only coastal rail trail. Just out of Kilcunda it crosses the heritage-listed trestle bridge over Bourne Creek, with views to rocky outcrops. Nearby Shelley Beach is covered in tiny shells, and take care at the Bass Highway crossings.