Your Guide to Phillip Island Tours
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Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
- Treat your eyes to the magical sight of little penguins returning to their burrows at dusk in the world-famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island.
- Home to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia, Phillip Island is located just 90 minutes from Melbourne.
- Take your kids along and let them learn about wildlife and nature while watching the cute, pint-sized penguins scurry about.
- Choose to enjoy your parade viewing time on the General Platform, the tiered seating, through an Underground Platform, on a ranger-guided tour, or on a secluded beach!
Inclusions
Penguin Parade General Viewing Ticket
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Penguin Parade viewing from the General Viewing Platform
Penguin Parade Penguins Plus Ticket
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Up-close viewing with tiered seating with a capacity of 250 - 300 people
Penguin Parade Underground Viewing Ticket
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Eye-level view from an underground viewing platform with a capacity of 70 people
Penguin Parade Guided Ranger Tour
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Journey through the colony with informative commentary
- Expert Ranger guide
- Personal headsets
- Minimum age to participate in the activity is 12 years
Penguin Parade Ultimate Penguin Tour
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Expert guide
- Access to a secluded beach away from the Penguin Parade
- Fully-accredited Eco Tour
- Minimum age to participate in the activity is 16 years
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Personal consumption
- Insurance
This ticket offers the following options you can choose from:
- Penguin Parade General Viewing Ticket
- Penguin Parade Penguins Plus Ticket
- Penguin Parade Underground Viewing Ticket
- Penguin Parade Guided Ranger Tour
- Penguin Parade Ultimate Penguin Tour
- The Penguin Parade visitor center currently opens daily at 5pm. The penguins arrive at sunset every evening.
- We suggest you arrive approximately one hour before penguin's arrival time, check-in at the visitor center, then walk to their viewing area to wait for the penguins.
- Click here to see the penguin arrival time calendar for estimated penguin arrival times throughout the year.
- General Viewing and Penguins Plus ticket holders should plan to arrive at least 1 hour before penguin arrival time.
- Underground Viewing ticket holders should plan to arrive 1 hour before penguin arrival time.
- Ranger-guided tours each have a specific departure time, so please check your tickets.
- Note: If you are planning a visit from mid-December to late January, or during a long weekend or the school holiday period, please allow extra travel time as the traffic can get busy.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour
- Take a day tour from Melbourne to the famous and colorful Brighton Beach boxes
- Gear up for a unique Australian wildlife experience at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park with guided walks and hand-feeding native species
- Make way to Phillip Island and witness the cutest parade of Little Penguins as they waddle the way back to their burrows
- Upgrade either to a Penguin Plus Viewing experience for an up-close encounter, or the Guided Ranger Tour for an immersive experience of the parade
Inclusions
- Brighton Beach Boxes
- Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park guided tour
- Ranger-led Koala Presentation at Moonlit Sanctuary
- Hand feed wallabies, emus & more
- Point Grant and The Nobbies
- Standard entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- FREE onboard Wi-Fi
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Penguin Plus Upgrade:
- Exclusive viewing area at the Penguin Parade
Penguin Plus Underground:
- Penguin Plus Underground viewing at the Penguin Parade
- Access to the underground viewing window
Guided Ranger Tour
- Entry fees as above plus upgrade to Guided Ranger at Penguin Parade
- Front-row viewing on the sand and access to Penguins Plus with a small group and private ranger guide
Exclusions
- Food & drinks
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Phillip Island
- Explore 3 wildlife attractions in Victoria on this guided day tour from Melbourne.
- Encounter Australia’s native species, including kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and more at Moonlit Sanctuary.
- Select from ticket options to get the chance to see penguins flourishing in their natural habitat from exclusive viewing areas.
- Enjoy stunning coastal views of south Phillip Island at Nobbies Center
- Early afternoon pick-ups on comfortable coaches ensure a hassle-free start to the day
- Enjoy free wifi onboard the coach with insightful commentary by an expert guide
- Discounted tickets: Children under the age of 15 enjoy reduced prices on their tick.
Inclusions
- Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary
- Phillip Island tour - Nobbies Center Boardwalk and Seal Rocks
- Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Transfers to and from Melbourne
- Free Wi-Fi on board the coach
- Expert and informative guide
- Access to exclusive viewing area (optional)
- Access to private boardwalk (optional)
- Up-close viewing of penguins from underground viewing window (optional)
Exclusions
- Food & drinks
- Animal feeding at Moonlit Sanctuary
This ticket has the following options:
- Penguins Plus
- Penguins Plus Underground
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
4 Parks Pass - Penguin Parade, Koalas, Churchill Island, Antarctic Journey Tickets
- Do not miss out on this iconic, explorative, educative, immersive, and interactive journey through Philip Island's Nature Parks!
- A mere 90-minute journey from Melbourne's CBD, Philip Island is easily accessible and promises an all-inclusive and enjoyable tour for all ages.
- Explore Philip Island's rugged beauty, seascape views, and various wildlife attractions with access to 4 of its nature parks.
- The Penguin Parade's three ticket options (general viewing, penguins plus & underground viewing) for fun interaction with the amazing seabirds.
- Stroll through lush woodlands and treetop boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Reserve where you'll meet-and-greet adorable koalas, wallabies, echidnas, many bird species, and more.
- At Churchill Island, you'll get to experience daily heritage farming activities like cow milking, sheep shearing, and whip cracking. Enjoy peeks into the lives of early Australian settlers here.
- Antarctic Journey promises insight into nature conservation, climate resilience, and the inhabitants of the Southern Ocean to Antarctica!
Inclusions
Penguin Parade General Viewing Ticket + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- Penguin Parade viewing from the General Viewing Platform
- Access to the Koala Conservation Centre
- Access to Churchill Island
- Access to interactive experiences at Antarctic Journey
Penguin Parade Plus + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- Up-close Penguin Parade viewing with tiered seating for a capacity of 250 - 300 people
- Access to the Koala Conservation Centre
- Access to Churchill Island Heritage Farm
- Access to interactive experiences at Antarctic Journey
Penguin Parade Underground Viewing + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- Eye-level view of the Penguin Parade from an underground viewing platform with a capacity of 70 people
- Access to the Koala Conservation Centre
- Access to Churchill Island
- Access to interactive experiences at Antarctic Journey
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
Please note in between Monday 18 July – Sunday 14 August:
- Churchill Island CLOSED on Monday
- Koala Conservation Reserve CLOSED on Tuesday
This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
- Penguin Parade General Viewing Ticket + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- Penguin Parade Plus + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- Penguin Parade Underground Viewing + Koala Conservation Reserve + Churchill Island + Antarctic Journey
- You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise at Phillip Island
- Combine sightseeing with wildlife spotting on this ultra-popular seal-watching boat tour to the scenic Australian coast. Sip on beverages as you cruise to the largest colonies of fur seals.
- You'll get to drift among over 7,000 fur seals that call Seal Rocks their home, other regular spottings include sea birds and dolphins.
- No matter the month, you’ll get to spot seals year-round - from young pups to adult bulls, and everything in between.
- Learn fascinating facts about these intriguing, intelligent creatures from the wildlife commentary onboard.
- Gaze out into the infinite blue as you sip on a cup of tea or coffee on board, and keep your eyes peeled for the adorable creatures!
Inclusions
- 2-hr scenic coastal cruise
- Seal spotting
- Regular seabirds & dolphin sightings
- Tea
- Licensed bar
- Free WiFi
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Tip: Keep a lookout for the famous 19th-century Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse.
- Guests prone to motion sickness are recommended to bring along appropriate medicine.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Located 140 km from Melbourne is Phillip Island, Australia. One of the most scenic islands to visit in Australia, it is famous for its wildlife parks and sandy beaches. From watching the penguins to surfing on the blue sea, there is a lot to do on a day trip to Phillip Island from Melbourne! Learn all about Phillip Island Nature Parks, along with what to do and expect from a trip to this gorgeous island.
Your Phillip Island Tickets Explained
Phillip Island A Maze’N’ Things Ticket
Enjoy a day at A Maze’N’ Things theme park with your family with some amazing outdoor attractions (Sky Trail, Maze, etc.), interactive displays, optical illusion rooms, and so on.
Validity & Cancellation: The ticket is valid for the entire day of the selected date and cannot be canceled or rescheduled.
Discounted tickets: Kids aged between 4 and 15 years can get discounted tickets for this attraction and those under 3 years can enter for free.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Nature Park Ticket
This ticket gives you entry into Penguin Parade and comes in five different variants. The General Viewing ticket offers you a seat in the general viewing platform, the Penguin Plus ticket gives you closer viewing from tiered seating, and the Underground Viewing ticket provides a close eye-level view from an underground viewing platform. Guided Ranger Tour includes a ranger guide who would take you through the penguin colony while the Ultimate Penguin Tour includes exclusive interaction with the penguins on a secluded beach.
Validity & Cancellation: These tours are valid for the selected date and time & cannot be cancelled or amended.
Discounted tickets: Kids 3 and under go free. However, their tickets need to be booked because of the strict seating capacity. Children aged 4-15 can get discounted tickets as long as they provide a valid ID.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Ticket
With this ticket, you get access to the three nature parks in Phillip Island – Koala Reserve, Churchill Island, and Antarctic Journey. There are three options available in the Phillip Island Nature Parks ticket – General Viewing, Penguin Plus, and Underground Viewing. Depending on the ticket you choose, you can see the penguins from the general viewing area or up-close.
Validity & Cancellation: Visitors can use the ticket for the selected date to visit Penguin Parade. The three parks can be visited within 6 months from the visit to the Penguin Parade. These tickets cannot be cancelled
Discounted tickets: Those aged 3 and under go free. However, their tickets need to be booked because of the strict seating capacity. Children aged 4-15 enjoy can avail themselves of discounted tickets as long as they show a valid ID.
Best Way to Buy Phillip Island Tickets
The best way to buy Phillip Island tour tickets is online in advance. There are lots of advantages of booking your Phillip Island tickets online, including better prices and deals on your tickets.
- Convenience: You don’t need to wait in the queue to buy the tickets which can help you conserve time and energy. You also have enough time to go through the ticket details to select the right Phillip Island attractions ticket for you.
- Advance Booking: By booking the tickets online, you can plan your visit in advance and don’t need to worry about the Phillip Island tickets being sold out.
- Mobile Tickets: By booking your tickets online, through platforms like phillip-island-tours.com, you can enjoy features like instant confirmation on your booking and get mobile tickets, making it easier for you to carry and forget the worries of misplacing them.
Things to do in Phillip Island
Penguin Parade
Watch the adorable penguins of the Little Penguin colony that reside on the island and head back to their home on the beach at night. The penguins spend the day swimming for food and waddle back to their homes at night when the visitors can catch a glimpse of them. There is a penguin viewing area that offers a 180-degree elevated view for the guests to enjoy the penguin getting back home. You can upgrade your seating for a closer look at the penguins by opting for Penguin Plus or Underground Viewing platform.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tickets
Nature Parks
Get access to the amazing wildlife parks at Phillip Island to spend a day with koalas, wallabies, penguins, and other amazing animal species. You can walk along the treetop boardwalks at Koala Conservation Reserve to observe koalas in their natural habitat. Churchill Island Heritage Farm is a 19th-century farm where you can enjoy activities such as walking, cycling, whip cracking, and so on. Lastly, go on a virtual journey from the Southern Ocean to Antarctica to learn about the inhabitants in this region, conservation practices, and so on. Antarctic Journey will expose you to the animals living in the deep blue, sustainable seafood options, Antarctic Chill Zone, etc.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Tickets
Amaze’N Things
Spend a day at A Maze’N’ Things theme park with your friends and family. There are lots of amazing attractions to explore at this theme park including optical illusions, interactive displays, and so on. Play a game of golf, beat your fears at Sky Trail, or find your way through the Maze. This attraction is perfect for all ages and a must-visit on Phillip Island.
A Maze’N’ Things Tickets
Chocolate Factory
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is one of the top attractions to visit for chocolate lovers. Learn how the chocolate is made through fun workshops, demonstrations, and games. Visitors also can enjoy an unlimited supply of chocolate samples here while discovering the history of the Phillip Island chocolate factory. After exploring the exhibitions here, visitors can buy some souvenirs from the on-site gift shop and café. From chocolate fondue to white truffle, there are a lot of delicious treats to try out here.
Things to do in Phillip IslandPlan Your Visit To Phillip Island
Koala Conservation Reserve is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
(Last entry to the boardwalk is 4 PM; last entry to treetop boardwalks is 30 minutes before the closing hours).
Churchill Island is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm during the weekdays and from 9 am to 4:30 pm during the weekends (last entry is at 4:00 pm). Daily activities start at 10:30 am everyday. If you arrive early enjoy the views of the beautiful farm, walk around, see the farm animals and take photos.
With penguins arriving daily at sunset, Phillip Island Visitor Center currently opens daily at 5 PM. It is recommended that guests reach the attraction at least 1 hour prior to the penguin arrival time. Please check the timings on the penguin calendar for details regarding the penguin arrival time during the month of your visit.
Please note that the time mentioned on your confirmation voucher is the last check-in time to get ready for Penguin Parade.
Nobbies Centre (home of the Antarctic Journey) follows the following timings:
- Weekdays: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
- Weekends: 10 AM to 6 PM
Please note that access to the roads leading to the Nobbies Centre are closed before sunset.
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory are open to visitors from 10 AM to 5 PM every day. (Last entry 4 pm)
A Maze’N’ Things theme park at Phillip Island is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day (last entry at 3.30 PM), including the holidays.
- Air: Phillip Island has its own airfield that can be used to reach the island in 30 minutes. You can take a helicopter charter service from any suitable landing location in Melbourne to Phillip Island.
- Bus: Visitors can get V/Line bus services from Melbourne to Phillip Island’s towns such as Cowes, Newhaven, and Cape Woolamai. There are no direct buses to Penguin Parade so, you will need to change the bus at the bridge.
- Car/Taxi: The drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island takes 90 minutes. You will take another 20 minutes to reach the Penguin Parade from the bridge. Once you reach, you can get free parking on site.
- Ferry: Another interesting option for reaching Phillip Island is to take a ferry from Stony Point Jetty in Frankston to Cowes Jetty at Phillip Island. You can take a suburban train from Melbourne to Frankston and then the ferry to Cowes Jetty. The entire journey will take you 2 hours.
The best time to visit Phillip Island from Melbourne is between the months of September and May. The weather is mostly pleasant and warm in these months and there are more penguins visible during these months. Visitors will be able to enjoy the outdoor attractions more during these months.
If you are planning to cover all the attractions and parks at Phillip Island, then you would need approximately 2-3 days at this island.
Phillip Island Tickets: FAQs
There are three different types of Phillip Island Nature Parks tickets available for the visitors: Phillip Island A Maze'N Things Tickets, Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ticket, and Phillip Island Nature Parks Tickets.
Yes, Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour is fun. There are a lot of Phillip Island attractions to cover on this trip such as Sky Trail, Koalas Conservation Reserve, Penguin Parade, Churchill Island, and so on.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Nature Park Ticket is the best option for your Phillip Island Nature Parks visit as it is a fun and exciting attraction.
The best Phillip Island Nature Parks ticket for kids is the Phillip Island Nature Parks ticket, as it lets them interact with different animals, combining education and entertainment.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Phillip Island Nature Parks ticket are the best options for couples.
No, visitors cannot cancel or reschedule the tickets to their Phillip Island Nature Parks.
You can drive, take a flight, or take a V-line bus to get from Melbourne to Phillip Island.
Although you can plan your visit to Phillip Island Nature Parks throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the autumn and spring season. The weather is pleasant and not too chill for enjoying the outdoor activities.
There are lots of fun things to do at Phillip Island such as visiting the cottages, surfing in the blue water, exploring the wildlife parks, and more.