San Remo

Discover the gateway to Philippa Island, a bustling seaside town with plenty of fishing and dining opportunities and pelican watching along the shore. You will visit the lands of the Bunurong people when you travel to San Remo.

San Remo links the Australian mainland to Phillip Island

San Remo is an authentic fishing village at the gateway to the island of Phillip, with a relaxed coastal atmosphere. San Remo offers a local atmosphere all year round. You will find boutiques, trendy cafes, pubs and traditional family-run restaurants here.

Greet San Remo’s fishing boats returning home with fresh seafood and watch the magnificent pelicans feeding daily at noon. Buy fresh fish and seafood from the San Remo Fishermen’s Cooperative at one of the local hotels and have it served in true gourmet style. Cast a line from the pier, join a fishing boat for serious offshore fishing, or catch your fish.

Stroll down San Remo’s main street, browse the souvenir shops, grab a coffee or have lunch. In the evening, discover modern cocktails and a coastal atmosphere at Kelp San Remo, or enjoy pub grub and live music at the Westernport and San Remo Hotel.

Take a historic journey on the George Bass along the George Bass Coastal Boardwalk for spectacular ocean views. From San Remo, enjoy cliff-top panoramic views on the 7km one-way walk to Kilkunda.

In San Remo, you can choose from various accommodation options, from local hotel rooms to the Silverwat Hotel Complex.

Eat fresh fish at Fish N Chippery in San Remo

San Remo is known for its incredible selection of fresh seafood restaurants, but if you want an even more authentic experience, you can take a charter boat and catch your fish to cook yourself. San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op is known for serving fresh, authentic fish and chips. In 1948, the San Remo Fisherman’s Cooperative launched the company. The business has added features to its co-op, such as a 2010 renovation that expanded the eating room to seat 60 people. It has breathtaking views of the beach and serves fresh seafood from the area.

Discover the history of the city of San Remo

The ancient landscape of the city is breathtaking. It stretches along the coastline and is an eclectic spectacle of high cliffs and deserted beaches. Discover where a stone was mined centuries ago to construct Melbourne’s banks and corporate headquarters at Quarry Rocks. The Old Granite Quarry Trail, which spans 5.6 km, leads to this location. It leads to the area of the former quarry after passing Cape Woolamai.

Live like a local

The lively atmosphere in the centre of the city is second to none. In the bustling city centre, you can linger in local cafes and sample local specialities in family-run restaurants. Please stop by the city Bakery for their handcrafted breads and pie recipes that have won awards. Explore the neighbourhood’s galleries and get up close and personal with the local animals by visiting the pier to observe and feed the pelicans. Later in the day, you can enjoy a picnic on the sandy beach or designated picnic areas. You can also grab a bite at one of the fresh bakeries in the city centre.

Walking in Kilcunda

If you’d rather ride a bike, check out the George Bass Coastal Walk, which leads from Kilcunda to the towering cliffs of San Remo. Along the way, you’ll follow in the footsteps of history, admiring ancient landscapes and essential sites from Australia’s past—an ideal addition to any Phillip Island tour from Melbourne.

Cycling around Cowes Pier

With stunning views and intersecting coastal paths, cycling is prevalent in this part of Australia. Start your journey at the Phillip Island Bridge and end at Cowes Jetty, passing several interesting and exciting sights. If you’re looking for a challenge, why not try the bike route from San Remo to Churchill Island? The road is around 12.55 kilometres long and is ideal for intermediate cyclists. It will take less than an hour, and you will ride over the bridge from San Remo to Newhaven before reaching Churchill Island.

Discover the past at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum

It began as a travelling museum that travelled around Australia through the efforts of the Australian Vietnam Veterans Association. The exhibits are now on display at the Newhaven Museum, but the museum’s core is the Sun Museum. In this new location, the exhibits have been expanded to include a sound and light show, temporary exhibitions and an extensive collection of items generously donated and collected by Vietnam War soldiers.

Australian chocolate factory on Phillip Island

A few kilometres from San Remo, you’ll encounter a legendary attraction – the Philip Island Chocolate Factory. Discover a world where decadent chocolate and creamy sweets are always in the spotlight. In addition to a shop and café where you can satisfy all your sweet cravings, the factory offers a variety of activities and exhibitions that will delight the whole family. Admire the World Waterfall, a miniature village made entirely of chocolate, or create your masterpiece to test your chocolate-making skills!

Cruise to the Kustom Nationals festival

Every year, San Remo hosts the Kustom Nationals Beach Party, an exhibition of pre-1976 cars that their enthusiastic owners have modified. Rockabilly bands also perform during the three-day festival. Hot rod enthusiasts from all over Australia come to this festival to see the wild modifications of cars and enjoy the lifestyle stalls and entertainment that takes place every day throughout the festival.