History

History of Phillip Island

1798 George Bass discovered Phillip Island in January.

1801 Phillip Island got named after Governor Arthur Phillip.

1826 White man first occupied the Island in 1826 when Captain Wright and crew made a settled in Rhyll.

1842 John and William McHaffie from Scotland were granted the right to use the Island as a sheep run.

1865 Cowes was officially named.

1880 Koalas where introduced to Phillip Island.

1940 A new concrete bridge was built and opened in 1969 at a cost of $3,250,00.00