Phillip Island or Great Ocean Road — which Melbourne side trip fits better?
Choose the Great Ocean Road for coast and a long scenic drive; choose Phillip Island for wildlife and a more contained day. Do not add both automatically if Melbourne itself is short on time.
Answer
The Great Ocean Road is the bigger scenic commitment: cliffs, road time, ocean and, ideally, an overnight. Phillip Island is more focused, especially if wildlife is the reason to go. Neither is wrong, but stacking both into a short Melbourne stay can leave the city itself undercooked. The better choice is the one that changes the trip: coastal road journey, or a wildlife-centred day with less pressure to keep moving.