Cowes, the principal township of Phillip Island, is located on the north coast and is reached by road from Newhaven or ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula. Originally known as Mussel Rocks, it was re-named by Commander Henry Cox, the government surveyor in 1865, after the holiday retreat on England's Isle of Wight. The town jetty, built in 1870, was the main point of arrival for ferry passengers from the mainland before the bridge linking San Remo and Newhaven was opened in 1940.
Cowes has beautiful safe beaches with fine sand, facing north into Western Port overlooking French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. Cowes is still the island's commercial hub, a bustling town to the north. It is well serviced with shops, restaurants, cafes, motels, caravan parks, camping grounds, bed & breakfasts, art, craft & souvenir shops, theatre and cinema. A museum is situated at the Heritage Centre in Thompson Ave, with a large display of historical information and artefacts.
All major sports are played in Cowes and are centred around the Recreation Reserve in Dunsmore Park and the Leisure Centre, both located in Church Street. The bowling & croquet clubs are located in Dunsmore Road and the golf club in Settlement Road.
There are two pleasant walks along the beach starting at the end of Thompson Ave. West will take you through Mussel Rocks, past the yacht club, Richardson Point through to the boat ramp at Anderson Street. Here you can either return along the beach or go down Anderson Street to Church Street, turn left and head back into town. East will take you around Erehwon Point, then connect to Lovers Walk. Lovers Walk concludes at Dunsmore Road, however, you can continue along Stradbroke Avenue. At the end of Stradbroke Avenue you can either follow the beach back to Cowes or continue to Rhyll Inlet.
Public Toilets are located on The Esplanade, at the end of Thompson Ave and at the end of Findlay Street. Also at the Anderson Street boat ramp and Red Rocks Point.
Free electric BBQs and scenic beach front picnic spots are located at Mussel Rock and Erehwon point (playground) on The Esplanade and Red Rocks Point at the end of Red Rocks Road.
The boat ramp is located at the end of Anderson Street, off Church Street, and the jetty is located in the town centre on The Esplanade.
Cowes Services
* Shopping/restaurants - Yes
* Medical Clinic - 164 Thompson Avenue
* Chemist - 24 Thompson Avenue
* Post Office - Thompson Avenue
* Banks
o Commonwealth, 49-53 Thompson Avenue
o ANZ, Thompson Avenue
o National, 50 Thompson Avenue
o Westpac, 55 Thompson Avenue
* Vet - Thompson Avenue/Settlement Road intersection
* Public Transport - V-Line bus daily, stops in Chapel Street (opposite Coles) and Thompson Avenue
* Recreation Reserve - Dunsmore Park in Church Street
o Cricket Yes
o Football Yes
o Soccer Yes
o Tennis Yes
o Skate Board Yes
o Bowls Dunsmore Road
o Croquet Dunsmore Road
o Golf Settlement Road
o Squash Leisure Centre Settlement Road
* Playground Yes Erehwon Park, The Esplanade
* Public Toilets
o The Esplanade at the end of Thompson Avenue
o The Esplanade at the end of Findlay Street
o Anderson Street boat ramp
o Red Rocks Point
o Heritage Centre Thompson Avenue
* Public BBQs (electric & free)
o Mussel Rocks, The Esplanade
o Erehwon Point Park, The Esplanade
o Red Rocks, end of Red Rocks Road
* Halls
o Phillip Island Cultural Centre
* Market Every Sunday in Settlement Road opposite Mitre10
* Churches
o Catholic, Phillip Island Tourist Road south of RSL
o Anglican, cnr. Church Street & Thompson Avenue
o Uniting, cnr Chapel Street & Warley Avenue
o Baptist, cnr Settlement Road & Dunsmore Road
o Christian Family, 89 Thompson Avenue Cowes
o 7th Day Adventist, Heritage Centre
o Assembly of God, Heritage Centre
* Yacht Club - Osbourne Avenue/The Esplanade
* Jetty - The Esplanade
* Boat Ramp - Anderson Street
* Slipway No
