Native name: Corriong/Worne/Millowl | |
---|---|
Geography | |
Location | Western Port |
Coordinates | 38°29′S 145°14′E / 38.483°S 145.233°E |
Area | 101 km2 (39 sq mi) |
Length | 26 km (16.2 mi) |
Width | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
Coastline | 97 km (60.3 mi) |
Highest elevation | 110 m (360 ft) |
Administration | |
Australia | |
State | Victoria |
LGA | Bass Coast Shire |
Largest settlement | Cowes (pop. 6593[1]) |
Demographics | |
Population | 13,799 (2021) |
Pop. density | 137.03/km2 (354.91/sq mi) |
Phillip Island (Boonwurrung: Corriong, Worne or Millowl)[2][3] is an Australian island about 125 km (78 mi) south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in a whaleboat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.
Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km (16 mi) long and 9 km (5.6 mi) wide, with an area of about 101 km2 (40 sq mi).[4] It has 97 km (60 mi) of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.
A 640 m (2,100 ft) concrete bridge (originally a wooden bridge) connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven.[4] In the 2021 census, the island's permanent population was 13,799,[5] compared to 7,071 in 2001.[6] During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.