San Remo is the gateway to Phillip Island on the eastern entrance of Western Port. It was settled in 1840 when the deep water port at Griffiths Point was used to export local products such as wattlebark, farm produce and cattle. In the 1870s coal was transported to the port from nearby Kilcunda via a tramway, and shipped to Melbourne. The township that grew up along the port became a popular tourist spot and in 1888 was renamed San Remo after the town on the Italian Riviera.
Before the suspension bridge was built in 1940 visitors had to rely on ferries to access Phillip Island. The bridge had a limit of 6 tons and tourist buses had to unload before crossing. A new concrete bridge was opened in 1969.
San Remo offers diverse accommodation options, from caravan parks to motels, and has a shopping centre, a medical clinic and community care centre. Tennis, squash and bowling greens are available and there is a sheltered safe beach and an excellent surf beach in town.
San Remo is a significant ocean and bay fishing port and the San Remo Fisherman’s Cooperative the leading supplier of fresh fish for the region. Holidaymakers can enjoy ocean fishing and boat charters that leave from the jetty.
The pelicans are fed daily at 11.30am on the foreshore and there are barbeques, playgrounds and toilets on Marine Parade and Back Beach Road. Take in the scenery and historic landmarks on foot – the George Bass Coastal Walk begins at the southern end of Punchbowl Road and is a scenic six kilometre walk (one way) to Kilcunda. Or wander along the foreshore ramble to Bore Beach where the historic coal bore can be seen and on to Shelly Beach, Griffiths Point and Quarry Rocks, where stone was quarried around 1870 to build business chambers in Melbourne. The Penguins on Phillip Island
San Remo is the gateway to Phillip Island on the eastern entrance of Western Port. It was settled in 1840 when the deep water port at Griffiths Point was used to export local products such as wattlebark, farm produce and cattle. In the 1870s coal was transported to the port from nearby Kilcunda via a tramway, and shipped to Melbourne. The township that grew up along the port became a popular tourist spot and in 1888 was renamed San Remo after the town on the Italian Riviera.
Before the suspension bridge was built in 1940 visitors had to rely on ferries to access Phillip Island. The bridge had a limit of 6 tons and tourist buses had to unload before crossing. A new concrete bridge was opened in 1969.
San Remo offers diverse accommodation options, from caravan parks to motels, and has a shopping centre, a medical clinic and community care centre. Tennis, squash and bowling greens are available and there is a sheltered safe beach and an excellent surf beach in town.
San Remo is a significant ocean and bay fishing port and the San Remo Fisherman’s Cooperative the leading supplier of fresh fish for the region. Holidaymakers can enjoy ocean fishing and boat charters that leave from the jetty.
The pelicans are fed daily at 11.30am on the foreshore and there are barbeques, playgrounds and toilets on Marine Parade and Back Beach Road.
The Penguins on Phillip Island
Take in the scenery and historic landmarks on foot – the George Bass Coastal Walk begins at the southern end of Punchbowl Road and is a scenic six kilometre walk (one way) to Kilcunda. Or wander along the foreshore ramble to Bore Beach where the historic coal bore can be seen and on to Shelly Beach, Griffiths Point and Quarry Rocks, where stone was quarried around 1870 to build business chambers in Melbourne.