Phillip Island in autumn and winter is its own thing entirely.
It's still beautiful. Still salty. Still worth every second. But if you've been here, you know the weather does whatever it wants. You can have blazing sun at 10am and need a hoodie by noon. And if you've got a 10 or 12 year old in tow, who has Very Strong Opinions about what they'll actually wear, packing gets interesting.
I live here. My boys grew up here. Here's what actually works.
THE LAYERS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
A hoodie is the single most important item in the bag. Not a thin zip-up that looks cute on the hanger. A real hoodie with weight to it, the kind they'll pull on over a tee for a surf check and not take off until bedtime.
My pick obviously (and I'm biased, but also right): the Sand + Salt Kids hoodie. It's built for this exact life. Throw it in the wash at the end of every day and it comes out looking exactly the same. Available in black, bright blue, and sand beige if you want something that goes with everything.
Pack two hoodies minimum. Seriously.
WHAT A 10-12 YEAR OLD ACTUALLY NEEDS
At this age they have opinions. Strong ones. They're not going to wear the matching family outfit or the cute little linen set you had in mind. They want to look like themselves, like they belong at the beach, not like they've been dressed by a parent.
Pack for their vibe, not yours. That usually means:
- 4-5 tees they actually like (not the ones you like, the ones they like)
- 2 hoodies
- Boardshorts or active shorts, 2-3 pairs
- One pair of decent sneakers that can get wet and not fall apart
- A beanie for evenings (Phillip Island gets cold, don't test this)
- A backpack they'll actually use for the beach run
THE PHILLIP ISLAND SPECIFICS
If you're coming to surf or watch the Penguin Parade (do it, worth every minute), pack for wind. The Nobbies and Smith's Beach get a proper southern ocean blast. It's glorious, and also freezing.
Sunset at Woolamai. Hire a bike to ride the Cowes foreshore. Fish and chips somewhere with an ocean view. These are not optional.
For the beach days themselves: rash vest, reef-safe sunscreen (the island will thank you), and something warm in the bag. Always something warm in the bag.
The goal is a kid who's comfortable enough to actually enjoy themselves, not fighting their clothes or asking to go back to the accommodation every five minutes because they're cold.
Pack real things. Pack things that last. And pack an extra hoodie.
Browse the current drop at Sand + Salt Kids. Limited stock, so if you're planning a trip and want something that'll survive the whole week (and every wash after), grab it before it's gone.
