Who we are
Phillip Island Nature Parks is a unique conservation organisation that was established in 1996 under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 'for the conservation of areas of natural interest or beauty or of scientific, historic or archaeological interest'.
We acknowledge that the Crown Land we are privileged to manage forms part of the traditional lands of the Bunurong People who call Phillip Island Millowl, and that the Land, Waters, Sea and Sky are of spiritual, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuous connection to land, water, sea and sky on Millowl.
As a self-funded organisation, your visit directly contributes to the conservation of wildlife and habitat protection.
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Achieving our vision
We are proud of our 30-Year Conservation Vision - Beyond the Horizon which outlines our vision for Phillip Island as a place where the Island’s flora and fauna will be flourishing despite the effects of climate change and the pressures of an expanding human population. Under the careful stewardship of the Nature Parks, natural environments will be demonstrating resilience.
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Our 5-Year Conservation Plan 2019-2023 represents the first ambitious step in our journey towards delivering our 30-Year Vision and details the actions we will take over the next five years to protect and enhance Phillip Island’s wildlife and environment.
These plans were developed in consultation with key stakeholders and community and honour and build on our shared history of conservation on Phillip Island (Millowl) and represent an evolution in our approach and methodology to meet the challenges ahead of us. We take this responsibility seriously and look forward to working together towards a better future for Phillip Island (Millowl).
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In 2022, the Nature Parks introduces its first Animal Welfare Charter, adopting a holistic approach to achieve the highest standards of animal welfare in our conservation, tourism, education, and research activities. The organisation is committed to maintaining an evidence-led approach to conservation and animal welfare, which has delivered outstanding outcomes on Phillip Island (Millowl) and beyond. This unique evidence-led and tourism-funded approach to conservation has helped to make the Nature Parks a global leader in tourism-integrated conservation.
Conservation achievements
- Declaring Phillip Island (Millowl) fox-free in 2017.
- The Eastern barred bandicoot continues to thrive with ongoing growth in numbers on the island, since the initial release of the species on Phillip Island (Millowl) in 2017.
- Management of the hooded plover program on Phillip Island (Millowl) with our volunteers which has contributed to the breeding success of this threatened species.
- The reintroduction of the bush stone-curlew to Phillip Island (Millowl) in August 2024 as part of a recovery plan for the species in south-eastern Australia.
- Planting over 250,000 indigenous plants since 1996.
- Efforts to future-proof little penguin habitat continue to progress with three ‘green’ firebreaks established across the middle of the Summerland Peninsula.
- Veterinary scientists from the University of Melbourne releases a Disease Risk Assessment for Little Penguins, setting future directions for managing disease risks in our little penguin population.
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Phillip Island (Millowl) Wildlife Plan
The Phillip Island (Millowl) Wildlife Plan was released in 2021 and aims to achieve a balance between the needs of wildlife and community.
Phillip Island’s wildlife is an important part of the community’s identity and economy. Wildlife experiences on the Island generate jobs and revenue and are a major attraction for the millions of visitors that come to Phillip Island (Millowl) each year.
Download the full plan
