Churchill Island Walks (Phillip Island)

Churchill Island has historic sites and tranquil scenery. You'll not only find an adorable family of Highland Cows, but walking and cycling tracks.

The 5km Churchill Island Loop walk is an easy stroll around the island, and you can also enjoy the shorter walks - the North Point Loop, and the Wadjil'garook Wetland, where you can learn about Indigenous culture and wetland birds.

Location: Churchill Island is reached by a bridge from Phillip Island (near Newhaven). The turn-off to Churchill Island from Phillip Island Road is well signed.

Churchill Island Walks (Phillip Island)

Length/Time: Churchill Island loop: 4.3km / 1.5 hours, North Point loop: 2.3km / 45 minutes
Rated moderate with a mix of boardwalks and compacted granitic sand
Toilets located at Churchill Island Visitor Centre
Parking at Churchill Island Visitor Centre sealed car park
Wheelchair and pram friendly
Bicycles permitted
Picnic table

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are not permitted.

Churchill Island Walks (Phillip Island)

Review:

Churchill Island is home to a number of wonderful walks and you can pick the distance to suit, although the complete 4.3km long island loop is the nicest option. If you would prefer a walk which is a bit shorter, you can take the north point loop (2.3km) which has lots of highlights.

There is a bridge to cross to the island to start the walk. Before the first bridge was built, getting to Churchill Island was an adventure. Stock was herded across at low tide and goods were floated or rowed over at high tide. The first timber bridge was built during the Jenkins era of ownership and was completed in 1959. In 1990, the bridge was deemed unsafe and had to be dismantled. However, the old bridge lives on. The new bridge reflects the original shape and its timber has been used in the construction of the Churchill Island visitor centre and for seats along the walking tracks.

The walk goes past plenty of paddocks where there are sheep, Highland cattle and draft horses. When we went in late June there were lots of playful lambs. Along the way, you're going to see plenty of water birds.

Churchill Island Walks (Phillip Island)

The path also passes a cairn which commemorates the first cultivation of wheat in Victoria by Mr James Grant in 1801 on this land which is now known as Churchill Island.

Periodically, there are seats to rest on and most of the walk is along paths elevated above the water with great views. One section has a beautiful Moonah forest with exquisitely shaped trees.

In this area is Grant's camp which might be the site of Victoria's first documented European building. A party under the command of Lt. James Grant landed on Churchill Island on March 28 1801. Over the next few weeks, Grant had his men clear a spot for a garden and construct a blockhouse measuring 24ft x 12ft. Although documented, the exact site has never been found. Journal entries and charts indicate that this southwest corner of the island was a probable landing site for Grant and his men.

The track continues to a lookout point where there are views over Western Port. This bay has always been known to Bunurong people as Warn'marring. In 1798, Surgeon George Bass 'named' this bay 'Western Port' from its relative position to every other known harbour on the New South Wales coast (as he knew it). He reported swan and waterfowl were plentiful and that the wild duck proved 'excellent eating'.

Churchill Island Heritage Farm opens at 10 am. One advantage of the walk is that you can visit the Churchill Island heritage farm if you like. Costs apply to visit the farm but there is no cost to walk around the island.

Just south of the bridge is the Fishers Wetland which teems with birdlife such as Cape Barren geese, pelicans, black swans, and purple swamphens.