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- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Yarra River Cruises
- Melbourne To Great Ocean Road Tours
- Skydive Melbourne Tickets
- SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Tickets
- Melbourne Museum Tickets
- SkyBus Melbourne
- Phillip Island Tours
- Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs Tickets
- Monopoly Dreams Tickets
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Tickets
- Ballarat Wildlife Park Tickets
- Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tours
- Healesville Sanctuary Tickets
Churchill Island tickets
Step into 1850s farm life on a scenic island.
- Everything you get: Hands-on heritage activities, 2km coastal walking trails, and access to a farm-to-table café.
- Wildlife encounters: Highland cattle, Clydesdale horses, Cape Barren geese, migratory shorebirds.
- Upgrades: Bundle with Penguin Parade and Koala Reserve for savings and sunset penguin viewing.
- Why choose this: Experience Australia’s living history—your visit helps keep this coastal farm thriving.
Step into 1850s farm life on a scenic island.
- Everything you get: Hands-on heritage activities, 2km coastal walking trails, and access to a farm-to-table café.
- Wildlife encounters: Highland cattle, Clydesdale horses, Cape Barren geese, migratory shorebirds.
- Upgrades: Bundle with Penguin Parade and Koala Reserve for savings and sunset penguin viewing.
- Why choose this: Experience Australia’s living history—your visit helps keep this coastal farm thriving.
Inclusions
- Entry to Churchill Island
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
- Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
- Penguin parade from general viewing platform
- Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
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
- Tip: Join Billy the Border Collie in herding sheep! Start by scanning the QR code at the visitor's center, then follow the sheep signs throughout the historical precinct.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessibility.
- This experience is suitable for people with sensory needs.
- Visitors can bring assistance animals certified by a registered authority and must remain on designated paths and restrained by a harness or lead.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- For the Penguin Parade, penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov).
- All revenue supports conservation, research, and wildlife rescue at Phillip Island.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
231 ratings
149
62
10
5
5
Guests from United States, New Zealand, Germany and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Catriona
Jun 2025Verified booking
Ticketing was easy to follow and information and maps for the three activities were good. The staff at all three were really helpful, pleasant and made the experiences fun. It was fun getting close to the animals at Churchill Island and the highlight was milking the cow. Walking around the koala reserve and again getting to see them up close was special. The highlight of the afternoon was the penguin parade, particularly getting to see them as they went to their burrows, from the boardwalk. We all agreed that we had a great day. We self drove.
Tracey
Apr 2025Verified booking
Amazing as always.... HOWEVER, please get your wardens to supervise properly at Philip island and stop people from using camera and trying to climb over barriers to get to the penguins!! There was so many just stood around talking together it was very disappointing and to be honest will put us off from going again because it breaks your heart!
Mallaika
Apr 2025Verified booking
The seating arrangement is not the best. Unless you're in the first couple of rows, you can't really see. And if someone stands up, you really can't see anything. It's pretty chaotic. I've done the same experience in Dunedin, NZ and it was way less chaotic.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Amanjyot
Apr 2025Verified booking
Very relaxing place to visit. Tickets were really easy to book.
Never
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was fun and for a first time experience the atmosphere was phenomenal definitely will be back ...
Haidar
Apr 2025Verified booking
That is very good I wish agine we want visit this place
Kade
Jul 2025Verified booking
Jennifer
Jul 2025Verified booking
Moazzamuddin
Jun 2025Verified booking
Cathea
Jun 2025Verified booking
clarence
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nethmi
Jun 2025Verified booking
Wong
Jun 2025Verified booking
Anthony
Jun 2025Verified booking
Johnny
Jun 2025Verified booking
Daksha
Jun 2025Verified booking
Tiong
Jun 2025Verified booking
Shardool
May 2025Verified booking
Vera
May 2025Verified booking
Selvaraja
May 2025Verified booking
Karen
May 2025Verified booking
Marc
May 2025Verified booking
Chanapa
Apr 2025Verified booking
Rebecca
Apr 2025Verified booking
See the world’s only wild penguin parade!
- Everything you get: Access to a 1.8km viewing platform and boardwalks, ranger commentary.
- Wildlife encounters: Little penguins, wallabies, Cape Barren geese, eastern bandicoots.
- Upgrades: Turn your evening into an island adventure with the 3 Parks Pass to see koalas and a heritage farm.
- Why choose this: Witness 1,000+ little penguins up close and support their colony’s future.
See the world’s only wild penguin parade!
- Everything you get: Access to a 1.8km viewing platform and boardwalks, ranger commentary.
- Wildlife encounters: Little penguins, wallabies, Cape Barren geese, eastern bandicoots.
- Upgrades: Turn your evening into an island adventure with the 3 Parks Pass to see koalas and a heritage farm.
- Why choose this: Witness 1,000+ little penguins up close and support their colony’s future.
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
- Entry to Churchill Island
- Tip: For the best unobstructed view and perfect photo opportunities, arrive early and sit in the front row of the center section of the grandstand, just above the sand. This spot offers a clear, close-up view of the penguins emerging from the water.
- Penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov).
- Arrive at least 1 hour beforehand to secure your seat and enjoy the visitor center before the parade begins.
- Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home, as the artificial light sources can stimulate the penguins' eyes. The island currently implements light control.
- You can see penguins all year round, regardless of the weather. The Penguin Parade is outside, so pack a raincoat or umbrella if rain is predicted.
- All parks are wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
2,781 ratings
1.8K
481
175
142
224
Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kerry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
Adam
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was great to see the penguins in there own habitat and its great to see what you are doing to ensure they are kept safe
Saurabh
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was amazing to see the penguins. However, I found that it was a long walk to the beach for the ones who are old, no proper sheds to provide protection from rain. Ticketing experience was good.
Ann
Jun 2025Verified booking
The overall experience was reasonably good We had visitors from the UK & wanted them to see the penguin parade . Although we only had general viewing tx , we still had a good view of the beach area . However this was diminished slightly as the. Light directly behind us was not functioning ( the only one not working ) & we feel that this definitely affected our enjoyment, as it was difficult to see the pegiuins as clearly as we would have hoped had the light been in working order .A bit disappointed !
Lorna
May 2025Verified booking
Saw penguins on way out clearly and up close. Online tickets worked great. Appreciated buggy for husband who had difficulty walking so far. Some people didn't follow Ranger's directions, sit on bum and no phones. Thank you great evening.
Mr
May 2025Verified booking
This was first time for my mum and sister and they loved watching the little guys waddling towards their burrows. I had booked tickets online which was a seamless experience. Glad to see their were plenty of food options as we were hungry. The only not so good experience was trying to locate the charging station.
Peter
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great set up and lovely to see the penguins. Disappointed in the number of people not following the rules re seating and photography, which seems to mostly be about the number of people being too large and not enough staff to enforce the rules. Maybe some of the money spent on the fancy building should have gone to employing some more staff.
Carly
Apr 2025Verified booking
This is not a reflection on the venue but the disrespect from a majority of guests was disheartening. Those poor animals having flashes from phones they weren't meant to be using, pushing through children with their videos on their phones. The amount of times I had to tell people 'No photos' 'No videos' was ridiculous. There needs to be something in place to stop this from happening. My children have nothing to look back on beacaue I did the right thing and didn't take photos or videos. Get staff to walk around with eftpos machines and fine these entitled people on the spot and make them delete images from their devices.. it was very overwhelming.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Sue the guide was very good, you could see that she loves her job and is (in my opinion) too kind with certain clients. I would have liked more information about the penguins during the "waiting time" on the viewing platform but I had answers to all my questions in the venue. What was really disturbing was the crowd, I'd say at least half of the people there were still taking pictures after the picture policy applied. There should be more staff to assess bad behaviours and especially on the boardwalks where lots of people were shouting (even adults) and using their flash directly in the birds eyes. On top of that and even if it is not part of this experience, the nobbies was the worst. There was people's hats and trash on the grass and everyone would gather around a penguin screaming as soon as it would leave his burrow. I think there should be walls of glass on both sides to reduce trashs and noise pollution.
Jasmin
Apr 2025Verified booking
I love the ambiance of the place, the high light of the penguins parade is amazing and they are so cute. Would love to come back again. Such a great and beautiful experience 🥰
Mary
Apr 2025Verified booking
The wait of more than an hour and fifteen minutes was too long on a hard bench. It was quite dark when the penguins came ashore in dries and drabs, not really a parade. I'm glad I went, but was a bit underwhelmed.
Manmeet
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticket experience was good. The facility excellent, restaurants good. The guide at facility was not too clear in speaking. Plus weather did not go our way. Lots of rain but watch cute little penguins great experience.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our second time at the penguins such an amazing experience would never get old.
Harsh
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything okay but penguin parade experience was not good.
Aida
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful experience for kids., infirmation is amazing.
Astrid
Jun 2025Verified booking
It all went smoothly especially given how many people were there.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Ishan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was a great experience and we saw lot of Penguins there.
Gracie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the parade but unsure of the numbers advertised we where lucky to see 100 come yet 419 reported to have come in
Freida
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything, courtesy of the guides n the viewing of the penguins. Thank You all very much. Keep up your good work.
Natalie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Fransisca
Jul 2025Verified booking
Sonja
Jul 2025Verified booking
Muskan
Jul 2025Verified booking
Kade
Jul 2025Verified booking
Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve & Churchill Island
Phillip Island’s ultimate wildlife and heritage trio.
- Everything you get: 6-month flexible access to Penguin Parade, Koala Reserve's spotting zones, and Churchill Island's heritage farm.
- Wildlife encounters: Treetop koalas, heritage livestock, penguins, 50+ bird species.
- Upgrades: Upgrade to Penguins Plus or Underground viewing for a closer after-dark penguin experience.
- Why choose this: Hop between wildlife wonders and heritage trails—your pass helps keep their stories alive.
Phillip Island’s ultimate wildlife and heritage trio.
- Everything you get: 6-month flexible access to Penguin Parade, Koala Reserve's spotting zones, and Churchill Island's heritage farm.
- Wildlife encounters: Treetop koalas, heritage livestock, penguins, 50+ bird species.
- Upgrades: Upgrade to Penguins Plus or Underground viewing for a closer after-dark penguin experience.
- Why choose this: Hop between wildlife wonders and heritage trails—your pass helps keep their stories alive.
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
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
- Tip: Bring binoculars for spotting wallabies and birdlife from the boardwalks, and check the visitor center for ranger talks or the digital quest QR trail, which adds a fun scavenger hunt element for families.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessibility.
- This experience is suitable for people with sensory needs.
- Visitors can bring assistance animals certified by a registered authority and must remain on designated paths and restrained by a harness or lead.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- For the Penguin Parade, penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov).
- All revenue supports conservation, research, and wildlife rescue at Phillip Island.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
218 ratings
139
60
10
5
4
Guests from United States, New Zealand, Germany and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Kade
Jul 2025Verified booking
Jennifer
Jul 2025Verified booking
Moazzamuddin
Jun 2025Verified booking
Cathea
Jun 2025Verified booking
clarence
Jun 2025Verified booking
Catriona
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nethmi
Jun 2025Verified booking
Wong
Jun 2025Verified booking
Anthony
Jun 2025Verified booking
Johnny
Jun 2025Verified booking
Daksha
Jun 2025Verified booking
Tiong
Jun 2025Verified booking
Shardool
May 2025Verified booking
Vera
May 2025Verified booking
Selvaraja
May 2025Verified booking
Karen
May 2025Verified booking
Marc
May 2025Verified booking
Chanapa
Apr 2025Verified booking
Rebecca
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ma
Apr 2025Verified booking
Merissa
Apr 2025Verified booking
Stephen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Tracey
Apr 2025Verified booking
Vicko
Apr 2025Verified booking
Combo: Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise + Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
from
AU$78
Dolphins by day, penguins by night!
- Everything you get: Marine biologist-led Cape Woolamai cruise with tea/coffee, and penguin parade viewing.
- Wildlife encounters: Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, penguins, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Add the 3 Parks Pass for the full Phillip Island experience.
- Why choose this: For the ultimate explorer who wants both marine and land wildlife and a science-meets-wonder day.
Dolphins by day, penguins by night!
- Everything you get: Marine biologist-led Cape Woolamai cruise with tea/coffee, and penguin parade viewing.
- Wildlife encounters: Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, penguins, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Add the 3 Parks Pass for the full Phillip Island experience.
- Why choose this: For the ultimate explorer who wants both marine and land wildlife and a science-meets-wonder day.
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
- Penguin Parade from the general viewing platform
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
- Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
- Entry to Churchill Island
Exclusions
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
- Hotel transfers
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
- Tip: During the cruise, stand at the bow for the best chance to spot dolphins riding the waves, but bring a windbreaker as it gets breezy.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
- Guests prone to motion sickness are recommended to bring along appropriate medicine.
- For the passengers’ safety, the front deck (bow) is restricted to people over 1 meter tall
Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Tip: After the cruise, stop by San Remo for the midday pelican feeding before heading to the Penguin Parade—locals say it’s a hidden highlight of the are
- Penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov). It is recommended to arrive approximately 1 hour prior.
- Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home, because the artificial light sources will stimulate the eyes of the penguins. The island implements light control at this time.
- You can see penguins all year round, regardless of the weather. The Penguin Parade is outside, so pack a raincoat or umbrella if rain is predicted.
- All parks are wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.3
3,304 ratings
2.1K
616
198
150
244
Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, United States and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kerry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
David
Apr 2025Verified booking
Overall it was a great experience.
Adam
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was great to see the penguins in there own habitat and its great to see what you are doing to ensure they are kept safe
Saurabh
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was amazing to see the penguins. However, I found that it was a long walk to the beach for the ones who are old, no proper sheds to provide protection from rain. Ticketing experience was good.
Ann
Jun 2025Verified booking
The overall experience was reasonably good We had visitors from the UK & wanted them to see the penguin parade . Although we only had general viewing tx , we still had a good view of the beach area . However this was diminished slightly as the. Light directly behind us was not functioning ( the only one not working ) & we feel that this definitely affected our enjoyment, as it was difficult to see the pegiuins as clearly as we would have hoped had the light been in working order .A bit disappointed !
Lorna
May 2025Verified booking
Saw penguins on way out clearly and up close. Online tickets worked great. Appreciated buggy for husband who had difficulty walking so far. Some people didn't follow Ranger's directions, sit on bum and no phones. Thank you great evening.
Mr
May 2025Verified booking
This was first time for my mum and sister and they loved watching the little guys waddling towards their burrows. I had booked tickets online which was a seamless experience. Glad to see their were plenty of food options as we were hungry. The only not so good experience was trying to locate the charging station.
Peter
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great set up and lovely to see the penguins. Disappointed in the number of people not following the rules re seating and photography, which seems to mostly be about the number of people being too large and not enough staff to enforce the rules. Maybe some of the money spent on the fancy building should have gone to employing some more staff.
Carly
Apr 2025Verified booking
This is not a reflection on the venue but the disrespect from a majority of guests was disheartening. Those poor animals having flashes from phones they weren't meant to be using, pushing through children with their videos on their phones. The amount of times I had to tell people 'No photos' 'No videos' was ridiculous. There needs to be something in place to stop this from happening. My children have nothing to look back on beacaue I did the right thing and didn't take photos or videos. Get staff to walk around with eftpos machines and fine these entitled people on the spot and make them delete images from their devices.. it was very overwhelming.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Sue the guide was very good, you could see that she loves her job and is (in my opinion) too kind with certain clients. I would have liked more information about the penguins during the "waiting time" on the viewing platform but I had answers to all my questions in the venue. What was really disturbing was the crowd, I'd say at least half of the people there were still taking pictures after the picture policy applied. There should be more staff to assess bad behaviours and especially on the boardwalks where lots of people were shouting (even adults) and using their flash directly in the birds eyes. On top of that and even if it is not part of this experience, the nobbies was the worst. There was people's hats and trash on the grass and everyone would gather around a penguin screaming as soon as it would leave his burrow. I think there should be walls of glass on both sides to reduce trashs and noise pollution.
Jasmin
Apr 2025Verified booking
I love the ambiance of the place, the high light of the penguins parade is amazing and they are so cute. Would love to come back again. Such a great and beautiful experience 🥰
Mary
Apr 2025Verified booking
The wait of more than an hour and fifteen minutes was too long on a hard bench. It was quite dark when the penguins came ashore in dries and drabs, not really a parade. I'm glad I went, but was a bit underwhelmed.
Manmeet
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticket experience was good. The facility excellent, restaurants good. The guide at facility was not too clear in speaking. Plus weather did not go our way. Lots of rain but watch cute little penguins great experience.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our second time at the penguins such an amazing experience would never get old.
Harsh
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything okay but penguin parade experience was not good.
Aida
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful experience for kids., infirmation is amazing.
Astrid
Jun 2025Verified booking
It all went smoothly especially given how many people were there.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Meryem
May 2025Verified booking
We had a great experience. The one hour cruise was amazing. Our stay should have been longer.
Ishan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was a great experience and we saw lot of Penguins there.
Gracie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the parade but unsure of the numbers advertised we where lucky to see 100 come yet 419 reported to have come in
Freida
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything, courtesy of the guides n the viewing of the penguins. Thank You all very much. Keep up your good work.
Natalie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Fransisca
Jul 2025Verified booking
Sonja
Jul 2025Verified booking
Combo (Save 5%): Phillip Island Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise + Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
from AU$135
AU$128.25
5% off
Experience the thrill of watching 7,000 seals and the iconic Penguin Parade in one amazing combo.
- Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and families, this combo lets you cruise among thousands of seals and enjoy the legendary Penguin Parade at a value price.
- Glide through sparkling waters as you watch over 7,000 playful Australian Fur Seals basking on the rocks, frolicking in the waves, and napping in the sun.
- Delight in stunning coastal views while enjoying complimentary cake and hot drinks as you learn about the seals and other marine life from an expert.
- Witness the enchanting Penguin Parade as adorable little penguins waddle ashore at dusk after a hard, yet adventurous day of fishing.
- Enhance your trip with the 3 Parks Pass to visit the Koala Conservation Centre and meet koalas or enjoy farm experiences at Churchill Island.
Experience the thrill of watching 7,000 seals and the iconic Penguin Parade in one amazing combo.
- Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and families, this combo lets you cruise among thousands of seals and enjoy the legendary Penguin Parade at a value price.
- Glide through sparkling waters as you watch over 7,000 playful Australian Fur Seals basking on the rocks, frolicking in the waves, and napping in the sun.
- Delight in stunning coastal views while enjoying complimentary cake and hot drinks as you learn about the seals and other marine life from an expert.
- Witness the enchanting Penguin Parade as adorable little penguins waddle ashore at dusk after a hard, yet adventurous day of fishing.
- Enhance your trip with the 3 Parks Pass to visit the Koala Conservation Centre and meet koalas or enjoy farm experiences at Churchill Island.
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
- Hotel transfers
Phillip Island Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise
- Tip: Bring binoculars for a closer look at the seals’ playful antics and to spot seabirds like cormorants and shearwaters that frequent the area around Seal Rocks.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
- In certain sea conditions, vessel motion may cause motion sickness, please take precautions.
- The provider reserves the right to cancel any cruise based on not meeting minimum numbers or weather conditions. You will be informed within a reasonable timeframe of this cancellation with the option of a transfer or refund.
Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Tip: For a unique peek into penguin life, check out the live Penguin Burrow Camera on the Phillip Island website. It offers a fascinating view right inside their burrows!
- Penguins will arrive at the coast at sunset. It is recommended to arrive approximately 1 hour prior.
- Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home, because the artificial light sources will stimulate the eyes of the penguins. The island implements light control at this time.
- You can see penguins all year round, regardless of the weather. The Penguin Parade is outside, so pack a raincoat or umbrella if rain is predicted.
- All parks are wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.3
3,368 ratings
2.2K
561
180
153
268
Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, United States and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kerry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
Adam
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was great to see the penguins in there own habitat and its great to see what you are doing to ensure they are kept safe
Saurabh
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was amazing to see the penguins. However, I found that it was a long walk to the beach for the ones who are old, no proper sheds to provide protection from rain. Ticketing experience was good.
Ann
Jun 2025Verified booking
The overall experience was reasonably good We had visitors from the UK & wanted them to see the penguin parade . Although we only had general viewing tx , we still had a good view of the beach area . However this was diminished slightly as the. Light directly behind us was not functioning ( the only one not working ) & we feel that this definitely affected our enjoyment, as it was difficult to see the pegiuins as clearly as we would have hoped had the light been in working order .A bit disappointed !
Lorna
May 2025Verified booking
Saw penguins on way out clearly and up close. Online tickets worked great. Appreciated buggy for husband who had difficulty walking so far. Some people didn't follow Ranger's directions, sit on bum and no phones. Thank you great evening.
Mr
May 2025Verified booking
This was first time for my mum and sister and they loved watching the little guys waddling towards their burrows. I had booked tickets online which was a seamless experience. Glad to see their were plenty of food options as we were hungry. The only not so good experience was trying to locate the charging station.
Rukshana
Apr 2025Verified booking
The whole experienxe. Crew was friendly, n informative of nature n seals. Was well taken as crew kept checking with each an everyone if they needed anythng or they doing ok. They had all the motion sickness requirements available, safety vest was nicely instructed and wat to do when. Seals rock were full of seals, worth the trip, plus the cake was very nice n moist.
Peter
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great set up and lovely to see the penguins. Disappointed in the number of people not following the rules re seating and photography, which seems to mostly be about the number of people being too large and not enough staff to enforce the rules. Maybe some of the money spent on the fancy building should have gone to employing some more staff.
Carly
Apr 2025Verified booking
This is not a reflection on the venue but the disrespect from a majority of guests was disheartening. Those poor animals having flashes from phones they weren't meant to be using, pushing through children with their videos on their phones. The amount of times I had to tell people 'No photos' 'No videos' was ridiculous. There needs to be something in place to stop this from happening. My children have nothing to look back on beacaue I did the right thing and didn't take photos or videos. Get staff to walk around with eftpos machines and fine these entitled people on the spot and make them delete images from their devices.. it was very overwhelming.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Sue the guide was very good, you could see that she loves her job and is (in my opinion) too kind with certain clients. I would have liked more information about the penguins during the "waiting time" on the viewing platform but I had answers to all my questions in the venue. What was really disturbing was the crowd, I'd say at least half of the people there were still taking pictures after the picture policy applied. There should be more staff to assess bad behaviours and especially on the boardwalks where lots of people were shouting (even adults) and using their flash directly in the birds eyes. On top of that and even if it is not part of this experience, the nobbies was the worst. There was people's hats and trash on the grass and everyone would gather around a penguin screaming as soon as it would leave his burrow. I think there should be walls of glass on both sides to reduce trashs and noise pollution.
Jasmin
Apr 2025Verified booking
I love the ambiance of the place, the high light of the penguins parade is amazing and they are so cute. Would love to come back again. Such a great and beautiful experience 🥰
Mary
Apr 2025Verified booking
The wait of more than an hour and fifteen minutes was too long on a hard bench. It was quite dark when the penguins came ashore in dries and drabs, not really a parade. I'm glad I went, but was a bit underwhelmed.
Manmeet
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticket experience was good. The facility excellent, restaurants good. The guide at facility was not too clear in speaking. Plus weather did not go our way. Lots of rain but watch cute little penguins great experience.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our second time at the penguins such an amazing experience would never get old.
Harsh
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything okay but penguin parade experience was not good.
Isaac
Jun 2025Verified booking
Niice experience! I enjoyed the free cake and coffee.
Aida
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful experience for kids., infirmation is amazing.
Astrid
Jun 2025Verified booking
It all went smoothly especially given how many people were there.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Ishan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was a great experience and we saw lot of Penguins there.
Eliza
Apr 2025Verified booking
The staff were lovely thank you
Gracie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the parade but unsure of the numbers advertised we where lucky to see 100 come yet 419 reported to have come in
Freida
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything, courtesy of the guides n the viewing of the penguins. Thank You all very much. Keep up your good work.
Natalie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Fransisca
Jul 2025Verified booking
Combo (Save 6%): Phillip Island Penguin Parade + Dolphin & Whale Cruise Tickets
from AU$163
AU$153.22
6% off
Watch penguins return at sunset, then cruise Phillip Island's coast to spot whales and dolphins.
Everything you get at Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Entry to the world-famous Penguin Parade with access to the general viewing platform, visitor center, and boardwalk. See little penguins return to their burrows at sunset—an iconic wildlife experience perfect for families and nature lovers.
Everything you get on the Dolphin & Whale Cruise: 3-hour wildlife cruise along Phillip Island’s scenic southern coastline with expert commentary. Spot migrating whales, dolphins, seals, and sea birds. Includes complimentary afternoon tea and access to a bar onboard.
Why choose this combo: See Phillip Island’s top wildlife experiences in one seamless combo—no extra bookings, better value, and an unbeatable day out.
Watch penguins return at sunset, then cruise Phillip Island's coast to spot whales and dolphins.
Everything you get at Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Entry to the world-famous Penguin Parade with access to the general viewing platform, visitor center, and boardwalk. See little penguins return to their burrows at sunset—an iconic wildlife experience perfect for families and nature lovers.
Everything you get on the Dolphin & Whale Cruise: 3-hour wildlife cruise along Phillip Island’s scenic southern coastline with expert commentary. Spot migrating whales, dolphins, seals, and sea birds. Includes complimentary afternoon tea and access to a bar onboard.
Why choose this combo: See Phillip Island’s top wildlife experiences in one seamless combo—no extra bookings, better value, and an unbeatable day out.
Inclusions
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
- Access to the boardwalk and the visitor center
- Access to the general viewing platform
Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise
- 3-hour Phillip Island southern coast cruise
- Expert commentary
- Whale & dolphin spotting
- Regular seals & sea bird sightings
- Tea, coffee, cake, and biscuits in the afternoon
- Access to a licensed bar
Exclusions
Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise
- Other food and beverages (available to purchase onboard)
Penguin Parade
- Photographs and video recordings are not permitted during penguin arrival due to the light sensitivity of the birds.
- Big bags are not permitted. Only small carry-on bags are allowed inside.
- Daily business hours may change; please check the official website of each attraction before departure.
Dolphin & Whale Cruise
- Outside food or drinks, and smoking are not allowed onboard.
- Vessel boarding may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Please check in advance for support requirements.
- Cruise departures are weather-dependent and require minimum passenger numbers. You’ll be notified of any changes in advance, with refund or transfer options available.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and over 31 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kerry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
Adam
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was great to see the penguins in there own habitat and its great to see what you are doing to ensure they are kept safe
Saurabh
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was amazing to see the penguins. However, I found that it was a long walk to the beach for the ones who are old, no proper sheds to provide protection from rain. Ticketing experience was good.
Ann
Jun 2025Verified booking
The overall experience was reasonably good We had visitors from the UK & wanted them to see the penguin parade . Although we only had general viewing tx , we still had a good view of the beach area . However this was diminished slightly as the. Light directly behind us was not functioning ( the only one not working ) & we feel that this definitely affected our enjoyment, as it was difficult to see the pegiuins as clearly as we would have hoped had the light been in working order .A bit disappointed !
Lorna
May 2025Verified booking
Saw penguins on way out clearly and up close. Online tickets worked great. Appreciated buggy for husband who had difficulty walking so far. Some people didn't follow Ranger's directions, sit on bum and no phones. Thank you great evening.
Mr
May 2025Verified booking
This was first time for my mum and sister and they loved watching the little guys waddling towards their burrows. I had booked tickets online which was a seamless experience. Glad to see their were plenty of food options as we were hungry. The only not so good experience was trying to locate the charging station.
Peter
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great set up and lovely to see the penguins. Disappointed in the number of people not following the rules re seating and photography, which seems to mostly be about the number of people being too large and not enough staff to enforce the rules. Maybe some of the money spent on the fancy building should have gone to employing some more staff.
Carly
Apr 2025Verified booking
This is not a reflection on the venue but the disrespect from a majority of guests was disheartening. Those poor animals having flashes from phones they weren't meant to be using, pushing through children with their videos on their phones. The amount of times I had to tell people 'No photos' 'No videos' was ridiculous. There needs to be something in place to stop this from happening. My children have nothing to look back on beacaue I did the right thing and didn't take photos or videos. Get staff to walk around with eftpos machines and fine these entitled people on the spot and make them delete images from their devices.. it was very overwhelming.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Sue the guide was very good, you could see that she loves her job and is (in my opinion) too kind with certain clients. I would have liked more information about the penguins during the "waiting time" on the viewing platform but I had answers to all my questions in the venue. What was really disturbing was the crowd, I'd say at least half of the people there were still taking pictures after the picture policy applied. There should be more staff to assess bad behaviours and especially on the boardwalks where lots of people were shouting (even adults) and using their flash directly in the birds eyes. On top of that and even if it is not part of this experience, the nobbies was the worst. There was people's hats and trash on the grass and everyone would gather around a penguin screaming as soon as it would leave his burrow. I think there should be walls of glass on both sides to reduce trashs and noise pollution.
Jasmin
Apr 2025Verified booking
I love the ambiance of the place, the high light of the penguins parade is amazing and they are so cute. Would love to come back again. Such a great and beautiful experience 🥰
Mary
Apr 2025Verified booking
The wait of more than an hour and fifteen minutes was too long on a hard bench. It was quite dark when the penguins came ashore in dries and drabs, not really a parade. I'm glad I went, but was a bit underwhelmed.
Manmeet
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticket experience was good. The facility excellent, restaurants good. The guide at facility was not too clear in speaking. Plus weather did not go our way. Lots of rain but watch cute little penguins great experience.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our second time at the penguins such an amazing experience would never get old.
Harsh
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything okay but penguin parade experience was not good.
Aida
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful experience for kids., infirmation is amazing.
Astrid
Jun 2025Verified booking
It all went smoothly especially given how many people were there.
Ishan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was a great experience and we saw lot of Penguins there.
Gracie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the parade but unsure of the numbers advertised we where lucky to see 100 come yet 419 reported to have come in
Freida
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything, courtesy of the guides n the viewing of the penguins. Thank You all very much. Keep up your good work.
Natalie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Fransisca
Jul 2025Verified booking
Sonja
Jul 2025Verified booking
Muskan
Jul 2025Verified booking
Lilly
Jul 2025Verified booking
Karen
Jun 2025Verified booking
Churchill Island, Phillip IslandChurchill Island
Why Visit Churchill Island
- Experience a working heritage farm and learn about traditional farming practices.
- Explore the historic Churchill Island homestead and its beautiful gardens.
- Take a walk along the scenic coastline and enjoy the natural beauty of the island.
- Learn about the history of the region and the island's significance to the local Indigenous community.
- Enjoy a range of family-friendly activities, including animal feeding and farm tours.
- Attend one of the island's regular events, such as markets, festivals, and workshops.
- Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the peaceful island setting.
Where is Churchill Island Located?
Address: 246 Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island, Newhaven, Victoria 3925, Australia
Getting There
- By bus: You can take the V-line bus that operates from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to Cowes on Phillip Island. From here, Churchill Island is a 20-min drive.
- By car: We suggest that you either take a taxi or drive by yourself to Churchill Island as this is the best way to get around Phillip Island. It's a 90-min drive to Phillip Island from Melbourne, and another 10-min drive to reach Churchill Island.
Getting to Phillip Island
By Bus
To reach Churchill Island by bus, you can take the V/Line bus service from Melbourne to Phillip Island, which is the closest town to Churchill Island. From there, you can take the public bus operated by Phillip Island Bus Lines to Churchill Island. The bus stop at Newhaven is the closest to Churchill Island. From the bus stop, you can walk to the island, which is about 2.5 km away.
By Metro
There is no metro service to Churchill Island as it is a rural location. The closest metro station to Churchill Island is the Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. From there, you can take the V/Line train to either Dandenong or Cranbourne, and then transfer to the bus service to Phillip Island. Once you reach Phillip Island, you can take the public bus or a taxi to Churchill Island.
By Car
To reach Churchill Island by car from Melbourne, take the Monash Freeway (M1) to the Cranbourne exit. From there, follow the South Gippsland Highway (M420) to the Bass Highway (A420), which will take you to the bridge to Phillip Island. Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead until you reach the roundabout at the Newhaven township. Take the first exit onto Back Beach Road, and then turn left onto Samuel Amess Drive, which leads to Churchill Island. There is ample parking available on the island for visitors. The drive from Melbourne to Churchill Island takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Best Time to Visit Churchill Island
The best time to visit Churchill Island is during the spring and autumn months, from September to November and March to May, respectively. The weather is mild, and the island is less crowded during these times. However, the island is open year-round, and each season offers its unique charm and activities.
Churchill Island Highlights
Farmer's Market
The Churchill Island Farmers Market is a monthly market held on the fourth Saturday of every month. It offers visitors the opportunity to purchase fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables, artisanal bread, honey, wine, and other products. The market also features live music and food trucks.
Cafe
The Churchill Island Cafe is located on the island and offers visitors a range of light meals, snacks, and drinks. The cafe uses locally sourced ingredients to create a menu that showcases the region's fresh produce. Visitors can enjoy their meals indoors or outdoors while taking in the scenic views.
Animal Nursery
The Churchill Island Animal Nursery is a popular attraction that allows visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of farm animals, including lambs, goats, chickens, and more. Visitors can also feed and pet the animals, making it a fun experience for all ages.
Walking Tracks
Churchill Island offers visitors a range of walking tracks, allowing them to explore the island's natural beauty and historical sites. The popular Amess Walk takes visitors on a loop around the island, passing by the island's wetlands, heritage gardens, and the historic Amess House.
Daily Activities
Churchill Island offers a range of daily activities for visitors, including farm demonstrations, such as cow milking and sheep shearing, guided tours of the island's historic homestead and gardens, and wildlife shows at the animal nursery. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking, fishing, and beachcombing on the island.
Bird-Watching
Churchill Island is a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide range of species to spot, including pelicans, black swans, and ibises, among others. The island's wetlands, mangroves, and salt marshes provide a habitat for both migratory and resident birds, making it a must-visit destination for bird lovers.
Frequently asked questions about Churchill Island tickets
What is Churchill Island?
Churchill Island is a small island located in Western Port Bay, Victoria, Australia. It is a popular tourist destination that offers visitors a glimpse into the region's agricultural and cultural heritage.
Is Churchill Island open to the public now?
Churchill Island is open to the public every day of the year except for Christmas Day (December 25th). The island is generally open from 10 am to 4.30 pm, with some variations in opening hours during certain times of the year.
Do I need tickets to enter Churchill Island?
Yes, visitors to Churchill Island need to purchase a ticket to enter. You can either book Churchill Island tickets, or book a Phillip Island tour that includes entry to Churchill Island.
Where can I buy tickets for Churchill Island?
You can book your Churchill Island tickets here.
How much does it cost to visit Churchill Island?
The cost of visiting Churchill Island varies depending on the time of year and the visitor's age. The general admission cost for adults is AUD 12.50, while children between the ages of 4 and 15 are charged AUD 6.00. Family and concession tickets are also available. It's best to check the official website for up-to-date pricing information.
Why is Churchill Island famous?
Churchill Island is famous for its historic farm, which dates back to the 1800s and provides a glimpse into the early European settlement of the area. It is also known for its natural beauty, including wetlands, mangroves, and a range of native plants and wildlife.
Why should I visit Churchill Island?
You should visit Churchill Island to experience Victoria's rural and cultural heritage, explore the historic working farm, and learn about the island's natural environment. It's also a great place to relax, enjoy nature, and connect with local history.
Is Churchill Island worth visiting?
Churchill Island is definitely worth a visit, as it offers a unique insight into the history and culture of the area. It is home to the historic Churchill Island Heritage Farm, a Koala Conservation Reserve, and the popular Penguin Parade, all of which make for an enjoyable and educational experience.
Where is Churchill Island located?
Churchill Island is located in Western Port, Victoria, Australia.
How much time do you need at Churchill Island?
Churchill Island can be enjoyed in as little as an hour, but it is recommended to allow for at least 2 hours to explore the island and take part in the activities on offer. Many people opt to spend a full day, or even a weekend, to fully experience everything the island has to offer.
Is the Churchill Island wheelchair friendly?
Yes, Churchill Island is wheelchair friendly, with accessible parking and toilet facilities, as well as wheelchair access to the General Viewing, Penguin Plus, and Underground Viewing areas. Additionally, there are pram and wheelchair parking stations available at all farming activity stations.
How big is Churchill Island?
It is a 50.7-hectare (125.3-acre) island located near Phillip Island.
From happy customers
Kerry
AustraliaApr, 2025
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
Vincent
AustraliaJan, 2025
The 3 park option allowed us to get a great day on the Island with our overseas visitor.
Churchill Island , koala sanctuary and of course the penguins.
We also went to the knobbies the GP race track and Cowes.
All excellent.
Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve & Churchill Island
Mohd
Dec, 2023
The ticeketing was good and the Churhchill Island experience is good. The Penguin Parade is just average. The Antartatic journey outdoor view is great
Phillip Island 4 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade, Koalas, Churchill Island, Antarctic Journey
Raewyn
AustraliaNov, 2023
The friendly staff at all the venues who were more than happy to answer any questions the kids had. They especially loved Bob the Blacksmith at Churchill Island
Phillip Island 4 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade, Koalas, Churchill Island, Antarctic Journey