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Book Phillip Island Nature Park tickets
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
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Snapshots from our guests
4.2
2,741 ratings
1.7K
473
170
140
223
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
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.
Chloe
Mar 2025Verified booking
The guides were so helpful and experienced within the answers to questions. They were so friendly, I definitely felt seen with questions I had. I am definitely coming back, it is one of those experiences that I just can't wait to experience again.
Kerry
Mar 2025Verified booking
We loved seeing the penguins although we came at a bad time (when they were moulting) and not many came up the beach. We didn't like the fact that we were told to arrive at 6.45pm when the penguins actually didn't start to arrive until 8pm. The two kids were totally bored and over it by the time we saw the penguins!
Holly
Mar 2025Verified booking
Accessibility was key and was handled perfectly! My mum has bad hips and needed a wheelchair to get to the viewing area. The staff were very helpful and friendly making this a great experience. It is also great to see the level of protection being maintained for these precious animals.
Lucinda
Mar 2025Verified booking
We had a really great vantage point sohad a cloe encounter with the penguins staff pointed out where to see penguins as we were lea ving gift shop was great and I formation about the work they do at the centre was very informative. Happy to know the money goes into maintaining and improving the environment for the penguins and visitors
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.
Leanne
Apr 2025Verified booking
Seeing the little penguins in their natural environment was delightful.
Jessica
Mar 2025Verified booking
3 parks pass - good price and easy to purchase.
Gill
Mar 2025Verified booking
Well organised. Only saw 8 penguins coming up the beach which was very disappointing!
Russell
Jun 2025Verified booking
Johnny
Jun 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
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Snapshots from our guests
4.5
209 ratings
132
59
9
5
4
Guests from United States, Germany, United Kingdom and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Holly
Mar 2025Verified booking
Accessibility was key and was handled perfectly! My mum has bad hips and needed a wheelchair to get to the viewing area. The staff were very helpful and friendly making this a great experience. It is also great to see the level of protection being maintained for these precious animals.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Jessica
Mar 2025Verified booking
3 parks pass - good price and easy to purchase.
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
Haidar
Apr 2025Verified booking
LEIGH
Apr 2025Verified booking
Mallaika
Apr 2025Verified booking
Leila
Apr 2025Verified booking
Chia
Apr 2025Verified booking
Li
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ravinderpal
Apr 2025Verified booking
Your pace, your penguin adventure—half or full day.
- Everything you get: Penguin parade viewing, Melbourne transfers, expert guide, Koala Reserve visit, and audio translation in 10 languages.
- Wildlife encounters: Koalas, wallabies, native birds, and little penguins waddling.
- Upgrades: Swap for up-close views of the parade with Penguins Plus, or opt for the full-day tour for slow exploration.
- Why choose this: The only tour that flexes to fit your travel style, packs in every must-see, and all planning is sorted.
Your pace, your penguin adventure—half or full day.
- Everything you get: Penguin parade viewing, Melbourne transfers, expert guide, Koala Reserve visit, and audio translation in 10 languages.
- Wildlife encounters: Koalas, wallabies, native birds, and little penguins waddling.
- Upgrades: Swap for up-close views of the parade with Penguins Plus, or opt for the full-day tour for slow exploration.
- Why choose this: The only tour that flexes to fit your travel style, packs in every must-see, and all planning is sorted.
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
- Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
- Audio translation app in 10 languages (Cantonese, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish)
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
- Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
- Closest penguin pathway viewing
- Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Exclusions
- Food and beverages (available to purchase onsite)
- Headphones
- Tip: For families, bring a small bucket and spade to keep kids entertained on the sand before the penguins arrive.
- This experience is not pram/stroller or wheelchair accessible.
- A low level of fitness is required to complete the walks on this tour itinerary.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.8
45 ratings
36
8
0
1
0
Guests from United Kingdom, United States, India and over 9 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Lisa
Jun 2025Verified booking
Karen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Joanne
Apr 2025Verified booking
Karen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Karolina
Apr 2025Verified booking
Julie
Jan 2025Verified booking
Ticketing experience was stress free. Day was good, penguin parade was brilliant, loved the stories the rangers shared. Bus trip was smooth and I appreciated a mid way stop. The excusion offered everything you said in the tour guide. I would suggest that you emphasise to pack something warm- I didnt ( I may have missed that bit!) and ended up buying a nice warm blanket from the shop so now I have a lovely warm little blanket with penguins on it- very cute
Ahmed
Dec 2024Verified booking
It was a lovely day trip and as I like listening to the voice of nature and wildlife, it was definitely worth giving a shot. Thank you.
Monika
Jan 2025Verified booking
Our Guide and Diver Camile was very helpful, Hard a very good nowlegde and was so Kind and friendly!
Johanna
Feb 2025Verified booking
Fan
Feb 2025Verified booking
LI
Feb 2025Verified booking
Robert
Feb 2025Verified booking
Paul
Jan 2025Verified booking
Vikas
Jan 2025Verified booking
Dax
Jan 2025Verified booking
Wong
Jan 2025Verified booking
Krishna
Dec 2024Verified booking
Patrick
Dec 2024Verified booking
Ver y cool experience, you probably don't get closer to wild penguins, wallabies, or koalas. On the down side, I think the tour should start earlier as some of the stops felt rushed.
Elizabeth
Nov 2024Verified booking
Ticketing experience was very easy. The tour guide was amazing, so friendly from the word go, she spoke to every single person for a couple of minutes before we got on the bus. Made everyone feel very welcome. She was so good at explaining everything on the trip and gave us so many hints and tips to make the day even more enjoyable. Would definitely recommend. Fabulous experience.
Immo
Dec 2024Verified booking
Bob at the pinguin parade was great. The whole bus went to business class
Danielle
Dec 2024Verified booking
Erin
Dec 2024Verified booking
Lenore
Nov 2024Verified booking
Supriya
Nov 2024Verified booking
Peter
Nov 2024Verified booking
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION11 hours
Timeline
Map
START POINT
Melbourne
Start your adventure in Melbourne, a city famous for its coffee, laneways, and multicultural buzz. It’s the perfect jumping-off point for a day of nature, history, and wildlife. Grab a takeaway coffee before boarding—the Dandenongs are even prettier with caffeine in hand.
60 minutes
Passes by
Dandenong Ranges
1
Emerald Lake
45 min
A tranquil lake surrounded by gardens and native bushland, Emerald Lake is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a paddleboat ride. It’s also the Puffing Billy station, so you can watch the steam train roll in.
Highlights
Lunch
Lunch
Additional cost (on-site)
Refuel with lunch from the lakeside café or pack a picnic to enjoy under the trees. The café serves classic Aussie fare and sweet treats.
5 minutes
2
Lakeside Railway Station
5 min
1 activities
Step back in time at this beautifully preserved heritage station, where the scent of steam and coal sets the scene. Watch the crew prepare the locomotive and soak up the vintage railway atmosphere.
Highlights
Puffing Billy Railway Ride (Emerald to Belgrave)
Included in price
The journey takes you through towering forests, over historic trestle bridges, and past waving locals. It’s a hands-on slice of Aussie history, with open-sided carriages for the best views. The trestle bridge is over 100 years old. You can dangle your legs from the carriage sides (a tradition here!).
60 minutes
3
Phillip Island National Parks
45 min
1 attractions
This protected coastal wonderland is home to wild beaches, rugged cliffs, and Australia’s largest colony of Little Penguins. It’s a hotspot for wildlife lovers and photographers, with dramatic scenery
Highlights
Nobbies Boardwalk
Stroll along this spectacular boardwalk for panoramic ocean views, the famous blowhole, and a chance to spot fur seals and penguins in their natural habitat.
10 minutes
4
Penguin Parade
90 min
The grand finale: watch Little Penguins waddle ashore at sunset after a day’s fishing. The visitor centre has interactive displays and a range of dining options for dinner.
Highlights
Dinner
Dinner
Additional cost (on-site)
Choose from hearty Aussie classics or lighter fare at the café before the penguins arrive. There’s something for every taste, including vegetarian options.
2 hours
6
END POINT
Melbourne
Steam train nostalgia meets wildlife spectacle!
- Everything you get: 1-hour ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, penguin parade viewing, guided visits to Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout.
- Wildlife encounters: Dandenong forests wildlife, kangaroos, wallabies, fur seals, seabirds, little penguins.
- Why choose this: Immersive Australian adventure perfect for families, with old-world charm and a natural spectacle.
Steam train nostalgia meets wildlife spectacle!
- Everything you get: 1-hour ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, penguin parade viewing, guided visits to Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout.
- Wildlife encounters: Dandenong forests wildlife, kangaroos, wallabies, fur seals, seabirds, little penguins.
- Why choose this: Immersive Australian adventure perfect for families, with old-world charm and a natural spectacle.
Inclusions
- Full-day tour to Phillip Island
- Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
- English-speaking guide
- 1-hour ride on Puffing Billy steam train
- Access to Emerald Lake
- 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
Exclusions
- Food and beverages (available to purchase online)
- Tip: On Puffing Billy, sit on the left side of the train for the best rainforest and valley views—locals love dangling their legs out the open carriage windows for classic photos.
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
- This experience is pram/stroller accessibility.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.9
21 ratings
18
3
0
0
0
Guests from Norway, Hong Kong, India and over 8 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
MISAKI
May 2025Verified booking
Elena
Apr 2025Verified booking
Catriona
Apr 2025Verified booking
Katarzyna
Mar 2025Verified booking
Franziska
Jan 2025Verified booking
Amazing trip,, kind and well-informed guide; a pity the mic on the bus did not work though. Also, a teeny bit chaotic sorting people into three different coaches. But it alk worked out perfectly in the end. Puffing Billy and the penguins are definitely well worth the time and money.
Victoria
Jan 2025Verified booking
The guide John was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and really keen to give everyone the best experience possible. He went above and beyond from his photography skills to ensuring his passengers had a way to get home.
Emma-Lea
Dec 2024Verified booking
Our driver Phil was down to earth, full of info, prompt and got us in and set for the activities on the itinerary with no dramas :)
Dayna
Jan 2025Verified booking
Shixiao
Dec 2024Verified booking
Rune
Sep 2024Verified booking
Ride with Puffing Billy was good, despite the rain. Animal "spotting" and the pinguins were also good. Gavin, the driver, had a lot of knowledge that he willingly shared.
Subigya
Nov 2024Verified booking
Priya
Sep 2024Verified booking
Susan
Sep 2024Verified booking
Nathan
Aug 2024Verified booking
Great weather, great sights and sweet guide.
Hon
Jul 2024Verified booking
Ruchi
Jun 2024Verified booking
Rachel
Jun 2024Verified booking
To be honest I loved everything about it. It's went exactly as I expected. I should've brought a warmer jacket with me to the penguins though. I can't remember our guides name but he was really good and informative. I'm very glad that I did the tour and I would recommend it.
WU
Jun 2024Verified booking
The app showed pick up time 10:15 However the tour guide sent us a text message saying that pick up time 8:30 but i did't see the message…
Kevin
Jun 2024Verified booking
Stephen
May 2024Verified booking
ZHUOTONG
Oct 2023Verified 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
3,263 ratings
2.1K
607
193
148
243
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.
Stuart
Mar 2025Verified booking
The whole experience was cool but the staff especially were informative and awesome. Booking was ultra easy.
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.
Chloe
Mar 2025Verified booking
The guides were so helpful and experienced within the answers to questions. They were so friendly, I definitely felt seen with questions I had. I am definitely coming back, it is one of those experiences that I just can't wait to experience again.
Kerry
Mar 2025Verified booking
We loved seeing the penguins although we came at a bad time (when they were moulting) and not many came up the beach. We didn't like the fact that we were told to arrive at 6.45pm when the penguins actually didn't start to arrive until 8pm. The two kids were totally bored and over it by the time we saw the penguins!
Holly
Mar 2025Verified booking
Accessibility was key and was handled perfectly! My mum has bad hips and needed a wheelchair to get to the viewing area. The staff were very helpful and friendly making this a great experience. It is also great to see the level of protection being maintained for these precious animals.
Lucinda
Mar 2025Verified booking
We had a really great vantage point sohad a cloe encounter with the penguins staff pointed out where to see penguins as we were lea ving gift shop was great and I formation about the work they do at the centre was very informative. Happy to know the money goes into maintaining and improving the environment for the penguins and visitors
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.
Leanne
Apr 2025Verified booking
Seeing the little penguins in their natural environment was delightful.
Jessica
Mar 2025Verified booking
3 parks pass - good price and easy to purchase.
Itinerary
Timeline
Map
START POINT
Melbourne CBD
Begin your day in Melbourne, a city that’s always buzzing and the perfect launchpad for wildlife adventures and coastal escapes. Arrive a few minutes early to secure your favorite seat for the scenic drive out of town.
75 minutes
1
Healesville Sanctuary
120 min
Tickets included
Wander at your own pace through this world-renowned wildlife haven, home to koalas, kangaroos, platypus, and birds of prey. Enjoy live animal shows and educational talks in a lush bushland setting. Don’t miss the birds of prey show—arrive early for the best seats and up-close raptor action.
Highlights
Lunch
Lunch
Additional cost (on-site)
Refuel with a range of Aussie classics at the on-site café, or bring your own picnic to enjoy among the gum trees. Try the homemade scones with jam and cream—a local favorite and perfect with a cuppa.
2 hours
2
Phillip Island
40 min
1 attractions
Visit Point Grant to view The Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Stroll along the coastal boardwalks for views over Westernport Bay and Bass Strait, and observe Australia’s largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks.
Highlights
Cape Woolamai Surf Beach
40 min
Experience the wild beauty of Phillip Island’s southern coast, where powerful waves meet golden sands. It’s a great spot for a stroll, and you might spot dolphins or seals in the surf.
20 minutes
3
Nobbies Centre
20 min
Stop at The Nobbies to enjoy panoramic ocean views and Seal Rocks, where thousands of fur seals bask in the sun or dive into the rolling waves.
4
Penguin Parade
90 min
The day’s highlight: watch Little Penguins waddle ashore at sunset, right before your eyes. The visitor centre has interactive exhibits and plenty of space to grab a bite and shop for souvenirs. For the best penguin action, sit close to the sand—penguins often pass right by your feet!
Highlights
Dinner
Dinner
Additional cost (on-site)
Enjoy dinner at the eco-friendly café, which serves up classic Aussie fare and vegetarian options before the penguins arrive.
2 hours
5
END POINT
Melbourne CBD
From platypus pools to penguin shores in one day.
- Everything you get: Visits to Healesville Sanctuary, Phillip Island, and Nobbies Boardwalk, penguin parade viewing, with Melbourne transfers.
- Wildlife encounters: Platypus, wombats, Tasmanian devils, 500+ penguins.
- Why choose this: Enjoy a rare double act in one day: meet Australia’s marsupials at Healesville, then see the world’s largest penguin parade.
From platypus pools to penguin shores in one day.
- Everything you get: Visits to Healesville Sanctuary, Phillip Island, and Nobbies Boardwalk, penguin parade viewing, with Melbourne transfers.
- Wildlife encounters: Platypus, wombats, Tasmanian devils, 500+ penguins.
- Why choose this: Enjoy a rare double act in one day: meet Australia’s marsupials at Healesville, then see the world’s largest penguin parade.
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
- Tip: At Healesville, head straight to the platypus viewing area first thing in the morning—they're most active in the first hour after opening and tend to hide for the rest of the day.
- The Healesville Sanctuary is pram/stroller and wheelchair accessible.
- Assistance animals are allowed except at the kangaroo walk-through, Koala Forest, all walk-through aviaries, flight arena shows, and close-up encounters.
- Complimentary inner-city hotel pickup is provided with summer departures at 11-11:30am (returning 10:30-11:30pm) and winter departures at 9-9:30am (returning 9:30-10:30pm).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
[Headout Exclusive 10% Off] Full-Day Tour of Phillip Island Wildlife & Brighton Beach Boxes
Lock in your summer 2025 getaway (June to August 2025). Book by Aug 31, 2025 and grab exclusive 10% off!
- Everything you get: CBD hotel transfers, Brighton Beach photo stop, wildlife park, and Penguin Parade seating.
- Wildlife encounters: Kangaroos, koalas, fur seals, 300+ penguins at dusk.
- Upgrades: Go for private transfers for more stories, more stops, and more photos.
- Why choose this: Combines two of Victoria's best experiences in one convenient, stress-free package.
Lock in your summer 2025 getaway (June to August 2025). Book by Aug 31, 2025 and grab exclusive 10% off!
- Everything you get: CBD hotel transfers, Brighton Beach photo stop, wildlife park, and Penguin Parade seating.
- Wildlife encounters: Kangaroos, koalas, fur seals, 300+ penguins at dusk.
- Upgrades: Go for private transfers for more stories, more stops, and more photos.
- Why choose this: Combines two of Victoria's best experiences in one convenient, stress-free package.
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
- Food and drinks (available to purchase onsite)
- Headphones
- Tip: For the Penguin Parade, bring a picnic blanket for comfort and aim for the far left corner of the general viewing area for the closest penguin crossings.
- The audio guide is available in Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, English, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.
- This tour is pram/stroller accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combo: Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower + Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
from
AU$69
- Enjoy two enticing experiences in Melbourne with this combo ticket, which includes visits to the Sky Deck at Eureka Tower and Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade.
- With access tickets to two attractions at discounted rates, this is a chance you shouldn't pass up.
- Head out to Melbourne Skydeck, the world’s tallest residential skyscraper for an unbeaten experience.
- Ascend to a height of about 300 meters above ground level in the southern hemisphere’s fastest elevator.
- 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 located just 90 minutes from Melbourne.
- With a general viewing ticket, enjoy tiered seating on the general viewing grandstands and witness one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia.
- Enjoy two enticing experiences in Melbourne with this combo ticket, which includes visits to the Sky Deck at Eureka Tower and Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade.
- With access tickets to two attractions at discounted rates, this is a chance you shouldn't pass up.
- Head out to Melbourne Skydeck, the world’s tallest residential skyscraper for an unbeaten experience.
- Ascend to a height of about 300 meters above ground level in the southern hemisphere’s fastest elevator.
- 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 located just 90 minutes from Melbourne.
- With a general viewing ticket, enjoy tiered seating on the general viewing grandstands and witness one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia.
Inclusions
Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower
- Admission to the Melbourne Skydeck
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Entry into Penguin Parade
- Penguin Parade viewing from the general viewing platform
- Tip: It is recommended to check the weather forecast before visiting the SkyDeck in order to get unobstructed city views, which are only feasible in clear weather. Use the viewfinder at the Sky Deck to locate the top 30 Melbourne landmarks.
- Tip: As penguin homing takes place after sunset and lasts about 50 minutes, it is recommended to arrive at the coast 1 hour before penguin arrival time.
- It's recommended to arrive approximately 1 hour before the penguin arrival time, check in at the visitor center, then walk to their viewing area to wait for the penguins.
- Click here to see the estimated penguin arrival times throughout the year.
- Penguins will arrive at the coast at sunset and the penguin homing usually lasts about 50 minutes.
- Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home.
- Only small carry-on bags are allowed inside.
- Facilities: Parking, Wheelchair Accessibility, Pram/Stroller Accessibility, Restroom.
Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower
- 2nd Oct, 2023 to 7th April, 2024:
- Daily: 12pm to 9pm (including Public Holidays)
- New Year's Eve:
- 12pm to 5pm (last entry at 04:30pm)
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Daily: 5pm
- 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.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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4.3
5,740 ratings
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Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and over 33 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Stuart
Jun 2025Verified booking
The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable, making our experience a great one. And the penguins were so cute and adorable when they came into the beach.
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
marcela
Mar 2025Verified booking
Impressive view from the 88th floor of the Eureka, you can see the whole city. A visit not to be missed by anyone passing through Melbourne. You can also buy souvenirs of your visit. I bought our tickets through Headout which allowed us immediate entry, you just have to show the QR at the entrance.
View original review in Spanish
Vu
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great view, I love the small balcony that I can be outside in the wind!
Laura
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great experience if it's your first time in Melbourne. Amazing view!!
Stuart
Mar 2025Verified booking
The whole experience was cool but the staff especially were informative and awesome. Booking was ultra easy.
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 !
Grace
May 2025Verified booking
I enjoyed the experience of waiting and watching the penguins to return home. I had no expectations, so it made the experience more joyful as I waited in anticipation for the arrival of their return. One of nature's amazing gift to us.
Jane
May 2025Verified booking
Ticketing via your website was very easy. Your commentary from Sue was fantastic, she knows her stuff. Thank you. We spoke to a few guides and they were all great to have chat about the penguins with.
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.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
It's a unique experience for sure and it was very special watching the wee guys gather together n make their way up the beach....hoping the seagulls wouldn't attack them. However, I would advise anyone going to wrap up warm as it was pretty chilly. We all loved the experience
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.
Bharati
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticketing was online, and seamless. However, disappointed that we saw a total of possibly less than 50 penguins. So not a parade, more like a small trickle.
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 🥰
MICHELINA
Apr 2025Verified booking
we were disappointed with how little penguins we saw, were expecting to see alot more . Maybe on nights like we had, you offer thoses who can, free entry to be used for another night .
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.
Joan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was truly a dream come true. Sue & Pip the park rangers really looked after us well, ensuring that we saw the penguins up close. Watching the little penguins come out of the water at sundown in groups of 30, 40 & 50 & waddling up the beach was a sight to behold. An experience not to be missed....can't recommend it enough
Geoffrey
Apr 2025Verified booking
Upgraded to penguin plus well worth it Hundreds of little penguins up close A frenzy at the end with a chaotic race to the final viewing area Keep hold of your small kids
Beryl
Apr 2025Verified booking
Whilst in general it was a wonderful experience (even though there was not many penguins) there was disconnect with the message given by guide regarding the use of phones/cameras. It felt like there 1 rule for some and a different one for others. There needs to be closer observation/enforcement for non compliance to those using cameras. People disobeying this instruction need to be removed from the area. Penguins were definitely distracted by this. 😒
Chloe
Mar 2025Verified booking
The guides were so helpful and experienced within the answers to questions. They were so friendly, I definitely felt seen with questions I had. I am definitely coming back, it is one of those experiences that I just can't wait to experience again.
Phillip
Mar 2025Verified booking
I know the penguin parade is a natural event and therefore the number of penguins we saw on the evening was around 10. We had good seats and we expected a lot more to come out of the sea. the previous night around 484 were recorded. We were just a little disappointed overall. The evening is well organised and the facilities were very good.
Phillip Island Nature Parks TicketsPhillip Island Nature Parks
All your Phillip Island Nature Park ticket options
Attraction Tickets
These tickets give you entry to one of Phillip Island's top attractions: Koala Conservation Reserve or Churchill Island. Best for folks who want to explore at their own pace, or are short on time.
Recommended experiences:
- Koala Conservation Reserve Tickets
- Churchill Island Tickets
Penguin Parade
Get the best seats for Phillip Island's most popular attraction, attracting over 2 million people from all over the world each year! If there's one thing you cannot miss on the island, it would be watching Little Penguins waddle up from the sea to their burrows.
Recommended experience:
- Penguin Parade Tickets
3 Park Passes
Get the most value for money with the 3 Park Pass, which will give you entry to Penguin Parade, Koala Reserve & Churchill Island. These tickets are great if you're looking to explore Phillip Island on a budget.
Recommended experience:
- Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass
Day Tours from Melbourne
Enjoy round trip transfers from the city while you explore Phillip Island. Choose to visit attractions like Brighton Beach, Healesville Sanctuary & Puffing Billy, for an added dose of adventure. Great for folks who want hassle free commutes & a guided tour of the island.
Recommended experiences:
- Half-Day or Full-Day Phillip Island Guided Tour
- Brighton Beach & Phillip Island Tour
From happy customers
Kerry
Australiaabr, 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
Australiaene, 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
Andrew
United Statesene, 2025
Penguins, very much. The animal park was just ok. The amount of time on the bus, while perhaps unavoidable, was not enjoyable. Very, very long day. Would have loved the opportunity to swim. Brighton beach houses were a bust, didn't even have time to kick off shoes and wade in the beautiful water.
From Melbourne: Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade
Tayla-anne
Australianov, 2024
The tour was amazing! Definitely recommend if you're wanting to see the beautiful views victoria has to offer. Moonlit sanctuary homing an incredible range of native animals offering close up experiences. Phillip Island did not disappoint, being able to see the penguins in their natural habitat was a once in a lifetime experience. Our journey made even better by our tour guide Jonno who was friendly, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his job.
From Melbourne: Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade
Paul
Canadamar, 2024
The bus operator guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the tour. We got some very helpful tips about the Moonlit Sanctuary and the Penguin Parade.
We really enjoyed this experience and would recommend it to others.
From Melbourne: Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Guided Tour with Penguin Parade
Mohd
dic, 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
Emma
Australiajun, 2024
Suggest remove Nobbies from itinerary to allow adequate time at penguin centre. Not enough time to eat, toilet, read info etc. Sone guests only want to see the penguins but I couldn't find any tour options for just penguins.
Pre check vehicle filters to avoid half hour loss of time on side of road for guests, avoidable issue that really impacted enjoyment.
Tour guide Bluey was helpful and entertaining. Further time lost with explaining tips (while very welcome and valuable information) on side of road could have been sent in advance by email or explained while driving.
From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon Guided Tour
Top attractions to see at Phillip Island Nature Parks
The Penguin Parade
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you’ll get to see Little Penguins waddle their way back home just after sunset. Standing tall at just 33 centimeters, they might just be the cutest things you see up close!
Read more
Plan your visit to Phillip Island
Timings
Getting there
Rules & safety
Tips
Accessibility
Stay
Dining
- Penguin Parade: Daily 4pm
- Koala Conservation Reserve: Daily 10am - 5pm [Last entry: 4:30pm]
- Churchill Island: Daily 10am - 4.30pm
- Nobbies Centre: Daily 10am - 4pm
- Best time to visit: For pleasant weather with fewer crowds, visit in spring (September to November). For the best penguin viewing conditions, visit in summer (December to February), but expect larger crowds.
- Note: If you plan on visiting between mid-December to late January, during long weekends, school holidays or other peak periods, set aside some extra time, as traffic can get very busy.
- Penguin Parade: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands, Victoria 3922
- Koala Conservation Reserve: 1810 Phillip Island Road, Phillip Island, Victoria 3923
- Churchill Island: 246 Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island, Newhaven 3925
Distance from Melbourne: 141.8 km
If you're skipping a guided day trip and planning on travelling to Phillip Island by yourself, these are your best options:
- Bus: V-line operates a bus to Phillip Island’s main town, Cowes, from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne city.
- Taxi/car: Approximately a 90-120 minute drive away from Melbourne, you’ll also get to enjoy free parking on site.
- Keep an eye on the weather with the Bureau of Meteorology app to stay informed about conditions and any warnings.
- Pay attention to safety signs on the beach to know what dangers to watch out for.
- Stick to swimming between the red and yellow flags whenever you can.
- Always keep an eye on kids when they're near the water.
- It's safer to swim with a friend than alone.
- Learn how to recognize and avoid rip currents. Get more info at beachsafe.org.au.
- Dress in layers as weather conditions on Phillip Island can change quickly.
- You’ll be doing quite a bit of walking in most places, so wear comfortable walking shoes during your trip.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect against the sun, especially during peak daylight hours.
- Carry insect repellent especially during warmer months, to ward off mosquitoes and other insects.
- Don’t forget to carry a camera or binoculars! They’ll come in handy when you go for the penguin parade.
- Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island, and the Nobbies Centre are wheelchair accessible.
- There is a complimentary buggy service available for visitors with mobility issues.
- Venues have wide pathways so wheelchairs or strollers can move around comfortably.
- Handicapped parking spots are reserved on-site.
- Complimentary wheelchairs are available for visitors in need.
- Counters and interactive displays are set at accessible heights, especially for wheelchair users.
Some of the top-rated hotel and motel options at Phillip Island are:
Top restaurants at Phillip Island include:
The views at Phillip Island: Little penguins, koalas, hidden coves, and more!
See all photos
Frequently asked questions about Phillip Island Nature Parks tickets
Is Phillip Island worth visiting?
Absolutely! Phillip Island is one of the most unique experiences in Australia, with untouched wild forests and beaches, penguins visiting every day, whales and dolphins making their presences known to visitors, and a beautiful bar/pub culture. It’s a wonderful experience to go on if it’s your first time in Australia!
Is it necessary to take a guided tour?
Taking a guided tour can enhance your experience, especially if you want to learn more about the island's history, wildlife, and conservation efforts. Book half and full-day tours, with optional upgrades to attractions like Puffing Billy, Healesville Sanctuary, Moonlit Sanctuary and more.
How can I get to the island from Melbourne?
To reach Phillip Island from Melbourne city center, you can drive, take a bus, or join a guided tour that includes transportation. The distance is approximately 140 km, and the journey takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.
Is there a best time of year to visit?
If you want to see the famous Penguin Parade, the best time to visit is during the cooler months from September to April when the penguins return to shore at sunset. However, if you're interested in whale watching, the best time is from May to October when whales migrate along the coast.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
We’d recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons like holidays and weekends, as it is a popular tourist destination. This applies particularly to attractions like the Penguin Parade and the Koala Conservation Centre.
Are dogs allowed inside?
Dogs are generally not allowed inside most attractions on Phillip Island due to conservation efforts and the protection of wildlife.
How does weather affect transportation options?
Weather can affect transportation options to Phillip Island, particularly if you're planning to take a ferry. Rough seas or inclement weather might cause cancellations or delays, so it's advisable to check weather forecasts and transportation updates before your trip. Check out our plan your visit page for more tips to keep in mind during your visit.
What are the available amenities and assistance available to people with disabilities?
Phillip Island provides amenities and assistance for people with disabilities at most attractions. These include wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, ramps, special parking and wheelchairs for rent.
Is there a dress code or any clothing restrictions for entering?
There's no strict dress code for entering Phillip Island, but it's advisable to dress comfortably and consider the weather conditions, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors. Carry layers in case it gets cold, especially for the Penguin Parade.