Nearly 150 km from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a place where nature flourishes; where flora and fauna come together to create unmatched beauty. The surrounding emerald waters and the pristine sandy beaches add to the magnificence of the island. Home to a number of wildlife parks — and known for its incredible water sports, especially surfing — Phillip Island makes for a great day trip from Melbourne. Learn more about Phillip Island Nature Parks tickets and how to get them, and what to expect from your visit to Phillip Island Parks.
Phillip Islands Nature Parks Reopens Post COVID-19
After several months of closure due to the pandemic, Phillip Islands Nature Parks has reopened for the visitors from 29 October, 2021. It has opened all its attractions including food and beverages outlets, keeping the safety measures in mind to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all its visitors.
Visiting Phillip Islands Nature Parks Post-COVID 19
- To ensure visitor safety, the Penguin Parade will now operate at 75% of pre-COVID-19 venue capacity.
- High-frequency touchpoints are frequently sanitized.
- Guests are encouraged to adhere to social distancing norms and keep a distance of 1.5m. To this end, floor spacing stickers have been put up throughout.
- Visitors are requested to follow social distancing protocols.
- Visitors are required to wear masks in certain indoor areas of the parks.
- Hand sanitizers have been made available throughout the parks.
- Visitors aged 18 years and above must be fully vaccinated or show a medical exemption to gain access to the attraction.
- Guests are advised to purchase their tickets online to ensure a contactless and safe experience.
- All transactions within the premises will be cashless.
- Visitors are requested to keep their tickets handy as they will only be allowed access to the attraction after showing their tickets.
Why Visit Phillip Island Nature Parks
Set against a scintillating backdrop, your Phillip Island Nature Parks tickets give you the chance to meet some of Australia's native fauna. The Nature Parks include Penguin Parade, Antarctic Journey, Churchill Island, and Koala Conservation Reserve. At the Nature Parks, you can hand-feed kangaroos, admire koalas, meet wallabies, and gather around for a Penguin Parade as you watch Little Penguins head out from the sea and into their burrows. You can also choose to take a Seal Cruise and meet large colonies of these playful, furry semi-aquatic mammals.
You can also indulge in a variety of activities like surfing, sailing, kayaking, or diving. If activities and animals are not for you, you can also head to one of the wineries to try their rich wine.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Ticket Options
4 Parks Pass
With the 4 Parks Pass, visitors get access to the Koala Reserve, Antarctic Journey, Churchill Island, and the Penguin Parade. This is a great opportunity to meet animals native to Australia like penguins, koalas, seals, and wallabies, and learn about the nature parks' conservation efforts. Your tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled. The date you select upon checkout is the date valid for the Penguin parade. The other three parks can be visited within 6 months from your visit to the Penguin Parade.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
This ticket gives you access to the most exciting event on the island — the Penguin Parade. Phillip Island has one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia, and visitors from across the country flock here to watch the Penguin march. Pick between four options: General Viewing, Penguin Plus, Ultimate Penguin Plus, and Guided Ranger Tour. Your tickets cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled; and are only valid for the date & time selected at checkout.
Best Way to Purchase Your Tickets to Phillip Island Parks
The best way to purchase your tickets to Phillip Island Parks is to get them online. While tickets are available at the venue, albeit in a cashless transaction, purchasing them online offers a safe, contactless experience.
- Convenience: You will not have to stand in long queues to get your tickets.
- Advance Purchases: You can book your tickets well in advance to ensure you get a seat for the date of your choosing, consider the venue is not operating at full capacity and tickets may be quick to sell out.
- Discounts: Purchasing tickets online ensures you get a chance to avail of different deals and discounts offered by various third-party ticketing websites.
Which Phillip Island Nature Parks Ticket Should You Opt For?
1. For those on a budget
If you want the most special experience of Phillip Island while keeping it budget-friendly, opt for the Penguin Parade tickets. Available in four variants ranging from AUD 27.5 to AUD 80, you can pick and choose the experience of your preference.
2. For those who want to discover all Nature Parks
If you're looking to explore all four Nature Parks, the 4 Parks Pass is for you. Giving you access to Koala Reserve, Antarctic Journey, Churchill Island, and the Penguin Parade, the 4 Parks Pass lets you connect with nature and discover a myriad of fauna native to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Phillip Island Nature Parks
There are a total of four Phillip Island Nature Parks:
Penguin Parade
Phillip Island is home to one of the largest colonies of Little Penguins in the Southern hemisphere. Add Penguin Parade you get a chance to watch these penguins waddle home from the sea.
Churchill Island
Churchill Island is a tranquil paradise for those looking to reconnect with nature. Visitors can use the many walking and cycling trails, or indulge in a host of activities such as whip cracking, blacksmithing, cow milking, and sheep shearing, among others.
Koala Conservation Reserve
True to its name, the Koala Conservation Reserve gives visitors a chance to see native Australian animals, especially the koala. Use the boardwalks to walk around the Australian bushland and spot the animals in their natural habitat.
Antarctic Journey
Here, you can learn about the animals that live in the Antarctic region; check out sustainable seafood options, conservation efforts, and research; and participate in a multimedia experience where you can "float" on ice and meet the animals on screen.
Plan Your Visit to Phillip Island Parks
Penguin Parade visitor center is open daily from 6 PM. The penguins usually arrive by sunset.
Koala Conservation Reserve is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. The last entry timings are at 4:30 PM.
Churchill Island is open from 10 AM during the weekdays and from 9 AM during the weekends. The farm closes at 4:30 PM with the last entry being at 4 PM.
Nobbies Centre (Antarctic Journey) is open from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Car: Phillip Island is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne city. You will need another 10-20 minutes from the bridge to get to the park of your choice.
Parking: Free parking is available on-site at the parks.
Bus: There isn't much public transportation on the island. You can take a V-line bus from Southern Cross station, Melbourne to Cowes on Phillip Island. From there, you can take a taxi to the venue of your choice.
Ferry: You can take a ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island.
The best time to visit the Phillip Island Nature Parks is between November and April. The weather is pleasant and sunny, and more penguins tend to visit during this time.
However, if you are looking to have a budget-friendly trip, you can go between May and October — while the weather is cooler, the crowds are less and the accommodation is reasonably priced.
Penguin Parade: Shearwater Restaurant- Enjoy an a-la-carte limited menu or enjoy the grab-and-go option from the cafe. It opens at 6 PM.
Grab & Go Café: It is open from 10 AM to 12:30 PM.
Churchill Island Café: The venue offers coffee, cakes, snacks, and a scenic view to go along with it. Offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, the Churchill Island Café is open till 4 PM.
Nobbies Fish & Chippery: Those heading to Antarctic Journey will find sustainably caught seafood, burgers, ice cream, and drinks of their choice here. The cafe is open from 10 AM to 5 PM with a la carte limited menu from 11 AM to 3 PM.
There are a number of accommodation options for those visiting Phillip Island:
- Luxury: The Waves Apartments, Silver Waters Bed & Breakfast, and Genesta House
- Modest: The Island Accommodation, Snapper House, and North Pier Hotel
- Budget-friendly: Seahorse Motel, Amaroo Park, and Arthur Phillip Motor Inn
Tips for Visiting Phillip Island Nature Parks
- Ensure you wear comfortable shoes as you will have to walk quite a bit.
- Carry along insect repellant, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses — especially if you're visiting in the summer.
- The venue offers drinking water fountains, so carry along a reusable water bottle.
- Since the parks are open, it is advised that you carry along a light jacket and an umbrella, especially if you're visiting on a rainy day.
- Please note small carry-on bags allowed inside, so avoid carrying large backpacks or luggage.
- Weekdays are the best time to visit Phillip Island, as weekends see a flock of tourists and locals descend to meet the little penguins.
- It is advised that you purchase your tickets in advance, as the attraction is extremely popular.
All Your Questions About Phillip Island Nature Parks Tickets Answered
Yes, all the Phillip Island Nature Parks are now open to visitors.
You can purchase your Phillip Island Nature Parks tickets online or directly at the venue.
Yes, you can purchase tickets to Phillip Island Nature Parks online on the official website. Purchasing your Phillip Island tickets from third-party websites also ensures you can avail of discounts and deals offered by them.
The best way to get Phillip Island Parks tickets is to get them online. This ensures contactless delivery, eliminates the hassle of standing in long queues to get tickets, and also lets you take advantage of numerous deals and discounts offered by third-party ticketing websites.
You can choose between the Penguin Parade ticket and the 4 Parks Pass. The Penguin Parade ticket gives you access only to the parade, while the 4 Parks Pass gives you access to the Penguin Parade, along with the other 3 parks.
Your Penguin Parade tickets are valid for the date and time selected at checkout. As for the 4 Parks Pass, entry to the Penguin Parade is valid for the date and time selected at checkout. However, you can visit the other three parks at any time within six months from the Penguin Parade.
Your tickets cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
Apart from visiting the wineries and indulging in a host of water activities, you can watch the Penguin Parade, or head to Churchill Island, Antarctic Journey, and Koala Conservation Reserve.
The best time to visit Phillip Island parks is between November and April which is when the weather is mild and pleasant making it easy to be outdoors.
No, visitors must purchase tickets to the Penguin Parade.
Yes, all Phillip Island Nature Parks are wheelchair-accessible.
Yes, Phillip Island has a range of accommodation options for visitors.