Experience one of Melbourne’s most iconic seaside spots.
- Sights covered: Colourful bathing boxes, beachfront, photo opportunities.
- Time required: 30 to 45 minutes
Recommended experience
Visit the Brighton Beach Boxes
Spend a day on Phillip Island and enjoy sweeping coastal views, quiet nature reserves, and amazing encounters with Australia’s wildlife. Watch penguins waddle to shore, spot koalas in the trees, and take in the island’s stunning scenery along the way.
Meet your transport at the designated pickup point in Melbourne, board the coach or minibus, and begin the drive toward Phillip Island.
Upon arrival, most tours head to a coastal lookout such as The Nobbies to enjoy ocean views, rugged cliffs, and early wildlife spotting.
Walk the boardwalks around The Nobbies and take in views of the Southern Ocean, seabirds, cliffs, and, if you are lucky, even seals in the distance.
The highlight of your tour! Visit the Penguin Parade viewing area at sunset and watch the little penguins return to shore and head to their burrows.
Depending on the tour, you can go on a seal watching or a Cape Woolamai cruise, visit Moonlit Sanctuary or Brighton Beach, or even spend free time in Cowes.
After the Penguin Parade, travel back to Melbourne by coach with a late-evening arrival.
| Experience name | Penguin viewing options | Other attractions | Inclusions | Add-ons/Upgrades | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Half/Full-Day Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade | General viewing, Penguins Plus | Nobbies Blowhole, Seal Rocks Lookout | Round-trip transfers from Melbourne, guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide, access to boardwalk and visitor center | Full-day tour | 5–10 hours | From AU$155 |
Full-Day Guided Tour with Penguin Parade & Brighton Beach Boxes | General viewing | Brighton Beach Boxes, The Nobbies, wildlife stops | Round-trip Melbourne transfers, full-day guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide, Brighton Beach boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary, access to boardwalk and visitor center | Private transfers | 12 hours | From AU$159 |
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Day Trip | General viewing, Penguins Plus, Underground viewing | Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, The Nobbies | Round-trip Melbourne transfers, guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide, Brighton Beach boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary, access to boardwalk and visitor center | - | 10 hours | From AU$175 |
Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Guided Tour | General viewing, Penguins Plus, Underground viewing | Moonlit Sanctuary, The Nobbies | Round-trip Melbourne transfers, guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide, Moonlit Sanctuary, access to boardwalk and visitor center | - | 12 hours | From AU$165 |
Puffing Billy Train Ride & Phillip Island Guided Tour | General viewing | Puffing Billy Train, The Nobbies, wildlife stops | Puffing Billy train, Round-trip Melbourne transfers, guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide | - | 11 hours | From AU$234 |
Combo: Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise + Penguin Parade Tickets | General viewing | Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, penguins, wallabies, and koalas | Cape Woolamai morning cruise, tea & coffee with cake, Expert local commentary, and a Penguin Parade ticket | Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass | 5–10 hours | From AU$78 |
Combo: Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise + Penguin Parade Tickets | General viewing | Fur seals, dolphins, seabirds | Coastal cruise, Seal spotting, tea & coffee with cake, expert local commentary, Penguin Parade ticket | Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass | 5–10 hours | From AU$135 |
Healesville Sanctuary & Phillip Island Guided Tour with Penguin Parade | General viewing | Healesville Sanctuary, The Nobbies | Healesville Sanctuary, round-trip Melbourne transfers, Full-day guided tour, Penguin Parade ticket, English-speaking guide, access to boardwalk and visitor center | - | 12 hours | From AU$177 |
Penguin Parade Tickets (Standalone) | Standard viewing, General viewing, Underground viewing | — | Penguin Parade ticket, access to the boardwalk, and the visitor center | Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass | Flexible | From AU$33 |
Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass | General viewing | Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island | Penguin Parade ticket, access to boardwalk and visitor center, Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island | - | Flexible | From AU$58 |
Guided tours take care of transport, tickets, and peak-time logistics so you can just relax, watch the penguins, and soak up the coast.”
Whether you want a simple penguin-only visit or a full wildlife, coast, and seal-sightseeing combo, a guided tour from Melbourne makes it seamless and stress-free.




Top attractions include the Penguin Parade, The Nobbies, Seal Rocks, Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, Koala Conservation Reserve, and Churchill Island. Most tours depart from Melbourne, and Penguin Parade times vary by season, while other attractions are generally open during daylight hours.
Options include General Viewing, Penguins Plus, Underground, combo tours, and the 3 Parks Pass.
Yes, the visitor centre and boardwalks have ramps and accessible restrooms. Dress in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and bring layers for the evening.
Meals are generally not included, but cafés and visitor centres offer food and drinks for purchase.
Some guided tours include return transport from Melbourne, with central pick-up and drop-off. Combo tours, standalone Penguin Parade tickets, and the 3 Parks Pass do not include transfers, so you’ll need to arrange your own transport.
A typical day trip lasts about 12–14 hours, including transport and time at attractions.
Most packages include transport, a Penguin Parade ticket, and basic viewing. Some tours also include coastal walks, wildlife experiences, or seal-watching add-ons.
Most travellers use a tour coach or minibus. Self-driving is possible, but public transport is limited; buses reach Cowes but not the Parade site.
Yes, especially for Penguin Parade tickets and seating, which fill quickly during peak periods and holidays.
Yes, many tours include coastal boardwalks, Seal Rocks, township visits (Cowes), and some wildlife parks or additional activities.
Only if you have a car and carefully plan transport, ticket bookings, and timing. Guided tours make the experience much easier.
Do not use flash photography or bright lights. Stay on designated boardwalks and avoid making noise to prevent disturbing the penguins.

Catch the Penguin Parade, or choose the 3 Parks Pass to add koala boardwalks, Churchill Island, and coastal views around The Nobbies.
Designed for every traveler: from quick half-day trips visits to relaxed full-day wildlife encounters, all in one easy package.
Inclusions
Full or half-day tour to Phillip Island (based on option selected)
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
English-speaking guide
Entry to Phillip Island National Parks, Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
Closest penguin pathway viewing
Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Exclusions
Three big experiences, zero hassle—coastlines, creatures, and penguins all in one epic day out.
Inclusions
Full-day tour in AC bus or private car to Phillip Island
Round-trip Melbourne transfers
Shared AC bus or private car transfers (based on option selected)
English-speaking guide
Visit to Brighton Beach boxes
Entry to Phillip Island National Park, Nobbies Visitor Center, Nobbies Lookout
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Exclusions
Sunrise at Melbourne’s beach boxes to sunset with penguin viewing!
Inclusions
Full-day tour of Philip Island
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
English-speaking guide
Entry to Brighton Beach
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park
Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
Closest penguin pathway viewing
Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
Access to underground viewing platform
Eye-level penguin encounters
Weatherproof indoor platform
Exclusions
See koalas, kangaroos, platypus at Moonlit Sanctuary before penguin magic at dusk.
Inclusions
Full-day tour to Philip Island
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
English-speaking guide
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park
Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
Closest penguin pathway viewing
Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
Access to underground viewing platform
Eye-level penguin encounters
Weatherproof indoor platform
Exclusions
Ride the Puffing Billy and see the Penguin Parade—all in one seamless day with coastal views and wildlife encounters.
Inclusions
Puffing Billy steam train ticket (Belgrave to Emerald)
Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Return transfers from Melbourne CBD
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from meeting point
English-speaking professional guide
Air-conditioned coach transport
Exclusions
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Dolphins by day, penguins by night!
Inclusions Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
1-hour Cape Woolamai morning cruise
Wildlife spotting and bird watching
Tea & coffee with cake
Expert local commentary
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
Entry to Churchill Island
Exclusions Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
Nature Parks Penguin Parade
Experience the thrill of watching 7,000 seals and the iconic Penguin Parade in one amazing combo.
Inclusions Phillip Island Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise
2-hour scenic coastal cruise
Seal spotting with regular seabirds & dolphin sightings
Tea & coffee with cake
Expert local commentary
Nature Parks Penguin Parade
Penguin Parade from the general viewing platform
Access to 3 Parks Pass (optional)
Exclusions Phillip Island Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise
See Australia’s wildlife in a day—from marsupials at Healesville to hundreds of penguins at Phillip Island.
Inclusions
Full-day tour to Philip Island
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
English-speaking guide
Entry to Healesville Sanctuary
Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
See the world’s only wild penguin parade!
Inclusions
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
Closest penguin pathway viewing
Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
Access to underground viewing platform
Eye-level penguin encounters
Weatherproof indoor platform
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve (visit anytime within 6 months of purchase)
Entry to Churchill Island (visit anytime within 6 months of purchase)
Phillip Island’s ultimate wildlife and heritage trio.
Inclusions
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Access to boardwalk and visitor center
Access to general viewing platform
Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
Entry to Churchill Island
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.