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Phillip Island Penguin Parade 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
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
2,742 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
[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.
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
210 ratings
133
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
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 India, Israel, Ireland 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
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.
Shixiao
Dec 2024Verified booking
Subigya
Nov 2024Verified booking
Priya
Sep 2024Verified booking
Nathan
Aug 2024Verified booking
Great weather, great sights and sweet guide.
Susan
Sep 2024Verified booking
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
3,264 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.
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.
Ankit
Mar 2025Verified booking
Best arrangement! Although saw few penguins but love the Place!
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.
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4.8
45 ratings
36
8
0
1
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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
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.
From Melbourne: Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary & Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade
Sunrise at Melbourne’s beach boxes to sunset with penguin viewing!
- Everything you get: Full-day guided tour from Melbourne, see Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, Point Grant & The Nobbies, and penguin parade.
- Wildlife encounters: Kangaroos, wallabies, and 300+ penguins to end the day.
- Upgrades: Penguins Plus or Underground Viewing for closer, more exclusive penguin parade views.
- Why choose this: Every stop is a postcard—colorful beach huts, up-close animal encounters, and the world’s cutest parade, with all planning sorted.
Sunrise at Melbourne’s beach boxes to sunset with penguin viewing!
- Everything you get: Full-day guided tour from Melbourne, see Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, Point Grant & The Nobbies, and penguin parade.
- Wildlife encounters: Kangaroos, wallabies, and 300+ penguins to end the day.
- Upgrades: Penguins Plus or Underground Viewing for closer, more exclusive penguin parade views.
- Why choose this: Every stop is a postcard—colorful beach huts, up-close animal encounters, and the world’s cutest parade, with all planning sorted.
Inclusions
- Full-day tour of Philip Island
- Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
- English-speaking guide
- Entry to Brighton Beach
- Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park
- Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
- Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
- Access to boardwalk and visitor center
- Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
- Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
- Closest penguin pathway viewing
- Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
- Access to underground viewing platform
- Eye-level penguin encounters
- Weatherproof indoor platform
- Tip: Do not miss out on the “Conservation in Action” wildlife show, which showcases several lesser-known Australian species in a series of interactive and engaging ranger presentations.
- The experience is not wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- This tour can accommodate a maximum of 24 people in 1 group.
- The tour is conducted in English. However, you can access pre-recorded written & verbal tour information in 16 different languages by downloading the free Go West Tours App from the App Store or Google Play. Download the app before departure or use the complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. Please ensure you bring your own headphones.
- Guests will be picked up from selected Melbourne hotels between 10am to 12pm and dropped off between 9:30pm to 12am at the same locations.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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4.4
1,899 ratings
1.4K
229
57
38
151
Guests from United States, Indonesia, France and over 8 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
VIVIAN
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very efficient and fun. Tour guide was fantastic.
Andrew
Jan 2025Verified booking
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.
KRZYSZTOF
Feb 2025Verified booking
Shinji
Jan 2025Verified booking
Tayla-Anne
Nov 2024Verified booking
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.
Aarati
Sep 2024Verified booking
The tour guide Graeme was great and went out of the way to stop the bus and help us spot roos, wallabies and other wild life on our journey.
Gutel
Oct 2024Verified booking
Vicki
Jun 2024Verified booking
Frank, our tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Catherine
Jun 2024Verified booking
Our guide, Chris H was fabulous. Penguins were awesome. Minnlit sanctuary was fun.
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Itinerary
Timeline
Map
START POINT
Melbourne CBD
Start your day in the heart of Melbourne, a city where vibrant culture meets easy access to adventure. It’s the perfect launchpad for a day of iconic sights and wildlife encounters. Arrive a little early to grab a coffee from a laneway café—Melbourne’s brew game is strong.
60 minutes
1
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
90 min
Meet kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies up close on a guided wildlife walk. This award-winning sanctuary is all about hands-on conservation and learning about Australia’s unique animals, big and small. Buy a bag of animal feed at the entrance—kangaroos and wallabies will literally eat from your hand!
80 minutes
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!
2 hours
5
END POINT
Melbourne CBD
Hand-feed kangaroos before penguin magic at dusk.
- Everything you get:
- Wildlife encounters: Over 70 Australian species, including many endangered animals like sugar gliders, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Penguins Plus for closer, less crowded view, or Underground Viewing for eye-level perspective and guaranteed comfort.
- Why choose this: Penguin magic at Phillip Island, with the chance to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit.
Hand-feed kangaroos before penguin magic at dusk.
- Everything you get:
- Wildlife encounters: Over 70 Australian species, including many endangered animals like sugar gliders, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Penguins Plus for closer, less crowded view, or Underground Viewing for eye-level perspective and guaranteed comfort.
- Why choose this: Penguin magic at Phillip Island, with the chance to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit.
Inclusions
- Full-day tour to Philip Island
- Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
- English-speaking guide
- Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park
- Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
- Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
- Access to boardwalk and visitor center
- Access to general viewing platform
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
- Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
- Closest penguin pathway viewing
- Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
- Access to underground viewing platform
- Eye-level penguin encounters
- Weatherproof indoor platform
Exclusions
- Kangaroo feed at Moonlit Sanctuary (available to purchase onsite)
- Tip: At Moonlit Sanctuary, buy a small bag of kangaroo or wallaby food at the entrance—approach the quieter side paths in the late afternoon when the animals are most active for the best chance to hand-feed and snap photos without the crowds.
- No photography is allowed during the Penguin Parade.
- The experience is not wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- This tour can accommodate a maximum of 24 people in 1 group.
- The tour is conducted in English. However, you can access pre-recorded written & verbal tour information in 16 different languages by downloading the free Go West Tours App from the App Store or Google Play. Download the app before departure or use the complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. Please ensure you bring your own headphones.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
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
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4.5
223 ratings
143
61
9
5
5
Guests from United States, Germany, United Kingdom and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
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.
Lynn
Mar 2025Verified booking
We enjoyed the experience of seeing the penguins coming out of the sea but unfortunately, it was very cold that evening. The walk down was great on the boardwalk but it would have been better if drinks had been available especially as there was a cold wind blowing.
Deborah
Mar 2025Verified booking
The whole experience was amazing and so well organised. The penguins are wonderful and we really enjoyed seeing the wildlife there. Just marred by the ignorance and rudeness of a few people who thought it was ok to video and take pictures!
Jose
Mar 2025Verified booking
Good experience, saw 2 penguins i think that penguinenparade is too much comercial for me. Phillip island in general is awesome
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
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
Wong
Mar 2025Verified booking
The 3 parks pass made our trip very convenient, and the price is also a bit cheaper which is nice!
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
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Marc
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Christopher
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Phillip Island Penguin ParadePhillip Island Penguin Parade
All your Penguin Parade viewing options
General viewing
See the penguins waddle up on the beach as they make their way to the burrows on the other side. If you're lucky, you may see the penguins congregating around the rocks of the beach, waiting for it to get darker, so they can head back to their burrows!
What to expect:
- During summertime, the penguins might arrive between 8-9pm on most nights, so expect it to be dark outside.
- The grandstand of the general viewing area is usually the most crowded, and tends to have less light as compared to other viewing sections.
Cost: AU$32
Read more
Choosing the best Phillip Island Penguin Parade ticket
Standard entry tickets
Price: from AU$32
Duration: Flexible
Watch the Little Penguins of Phillip Island in their element with these tickets. Choose the perfect viewing section for the best views of the smallest penguins in the world.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
Guided tours from Melbourne
Price: from AU$155
Duration: 10 hours
Go on a guided tour of Phillip Island and get detailed commentary from your tour guide on the Little Penguins, during the parade. Other perks include access to other attractions on the island and return transfers to your hotel.
From Melbourne: Half/Full-Day Phillip Island Guided Tour with Penguin Parade
3-Parks passes
Price: from AU$64
Duration: Flexible
Save big on individual entry tickets, and take your time to explore three of Phillip Island's top attractions: the Penguin Parade, Churchill Island, and Koala Conservation Reserve, using this bundled entry pass to all three attractions!
Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve & Churchill Island
Discounted Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets
Children aged 3 and under go free. However, their tickets will still need to be booked because of the strict seating capacity. Children aged 4-15 enjoy reduced ticket pricing, starting at AU$16.
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
Andrew
United StatesJan, 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
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
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
Plan your visit to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island
Timings
Best time to visit
Return transfers
Getting there
Accessibility
Facilities
Rules
Tips
Dining
Stay
The visitor center opens daily at 4pm. You can easily spend an hour walking through all the exhibits and learning about various species of penguins. The arrival times of the penguins vary according to season, but you can expect them around sunset.
- Winter visits (May to Jun): 5:15pm to 5:30pm
- Nest building & mating (Jul to Aug): 5:45pm to 6:00pm
- Egg laying & incubation (Sep to Oct): 6:15pm to 6:45pm (7:45pm DST)
- Chick feeding (Nov to Jan): 8:15pm to 8:45pm
- Moulting (Feb to Apr): 7:00pm (6:00pm DST) to 8:30pm
How long does it take to view the Penguin Parade?
We suggest you set aside at least 2-3 hours to explore the visitor center, get good seats, & view the parade. The Penguin Parade can last about an hour or more.
- Mid December to late January is the busiest time to visit the Penguin Parade and Phillip Island as a whole. During this time, the penguins enter their chick-feeding phase, so expect tickets to sell out fast.
- September to November comes in at a close second. The penguins will transition from egg laying to the chick feeding phase, which means there will be newborn chicks hatching. Given that it is Spring/Summer in Australia, people will be out and about exploring the island.
- Summer break in Australia usually lasts from December to February, and with it come festivals like Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day. If you plan to visit during this time, book your tickets in advance and prepare yourself for a larger crowd than usual.
- Low-season (March through August) is a good time to visit Penguin Parade if you want to see them arrive earlier than usual, and don't mind the colder weather. Expect fewer crowds in most attractions during this period.
TL;DR: If you don’t mind the cold, we suggest coming in late autumn or winter for a less crowded and early viewing of the Penguin Parade. Be prepared for the rain with a raincoat or umbrella. If you’d rather remain warm, early spring or late summer will have moderate to large crowds and comfortable temperatures.
Given that the Penguin Parade lasts for an hour and can end as late as 10pm on some winter nights and public commute options like buses are far and few in between, having a guaranteed ride back to Melbourne will be helpful for you. Both the half-day and full-day tours of Phillip Island and Penguin Parade offer return transfers to Melbourne.
The full-day tour pickup is at 11:45am; you can choose from 8 different hotels within Melbourne.
The half-day tour pickup is at 1:45pm (from April to September), and 2:45pm (from October to March); the pick-up and drop-off point is at Immigration Museum, Melbourne.
Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia. Find on Maps
As public transportation is limited on Phillip Island, the best way to get to the Penguin Parade would be to come in your own vehicle or a taxi. You can also book tickets that include transfers to take you directly to the parade.
- By bus: There is no direct bus to the Penguin Parade. Take the V line bus services from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to get to Cowes, the main town at Phillip Island. From here you will need to take a taxi to reach the Penguin Parade.
- By car: It takes approximately 90 minutes to reach Phillip Island from Melbourne. From San Remo Bridge on the island, it takes another 20 minutes to get to the Penguin Parade. Free parking is available at the venue, and four spots are reserved for differently abled visitors.
- Wheelchair accessibility: Wide pathways and ramp access are available for those with limited mobility. Complementary wheelchairs are available inside the visitor center.
- Parking: There are four parking spaces available for differently-abled visitors.
- Accessible counters: The ticket counter and interactive displays are placed at accessible heights for everyone to access easily.
- Buggy service: There is a complementary buggy service located at the beach doors that you can use by asking any of the staff members.
- Sensory needs: Sensory bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, verbal cue cards, and fidget tools, are available. You can get one for free by showing your ID to the staff. They also have designated quiet areas and headphone zones.
- Service animals: You can bring your service animal with a valid certification. Ensure to keep them on a leash in designated pathways.
- Burrow camera: A burrow camera shares a live feed from the penguins’ homes for you to catch a glimpse of their lives. The feed is unedited and some behaviors of these penguins may be harsh or territorial, so viewer discretion is advised.
- Baby changing rooms
- Free WiFi
- Restrooms
- Information kiosk
- Cafe
- Gift shop
- No photography: Photography is strictly prohibited at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. The penguins’ eyes are extremely sensitive to light and can get disoriented with sudden flashes of light. Guests who are found flouting this rule may be asked to leave.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed at the Penguin Parade except service animals. Make sure they are on a leash at all times inside the venue.
- Safety procedures: To ensure a safe experience, you are requested to follow safety precautions, which include wearing a mask in some indoor areas of the park, as instructed by the park rangers.
- Book in advance: Penguin Parade is a top pick amongst Phillip Island visitors, so book your tickets and stay in advance to get better deals and avoid tickets being sold out.
- Dress in layers: The weather at Phillip Island can be unpredictable throughout the year. Sunsets and nights can get windy and cold, irrespective of the time of year, so layering up can help you stay warm.
- Best views: To get the best views of the waddling Little Penguins, book your seats in the Penguin Plus grandstand or Underground viewing tickets.
- Carry a blanket: The General viewing section extends down to the start of Summerland Beach. If you plan to sit there, make sure to get a blanket. P.S.: These are some of the best spots in the General viewing, so try to arrive early and claim your spot on the beach.
- Arrive early: Before you actually see the Penguin Parade, we recommend exploring the visitor center first. You'll learn lots of fun facts about penguins and their lifestyle, habits, social behaviors and more, here. You will also need to arrive at least 1 hour early to get good spots at each view point.
There are two eateries at the Penguin Parade for hungry visitors.
Chicks Cafe: If you don't have a large appetite, drop by for some beverages or a quick bite to eat. The cafe is open from 4pm to the end of the Penguin Parade every day.
Shearwater Restaurant: Enjoy delicious appetizers like beer-battered fish & chips, or indulge in a delicious beef burger at this restaurant located on the premises of the Penguin Parade. Pair your food with beer or a selection of Purple Hen Wines, a family-owned vineyard on Phillip Island. The restaurant is open from 4pm every day.
Bed & breakfasts: Glen Isla House, Rhyll Haven Luxury Getaway
Resorts: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island, Kaloha Holiday Resort
Backpacker stays: Phillip Island Camps, CYC The Island
Hotels & motels: Seahorse Motel, North Pier Hotel
Views at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
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Fun facts about the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Non-migratory penguins: Most birds have a migration schedule they follow every year, but not the Little Penguins of Phillip Island! These tiny birds have chosen Summerland Beach and Phillip Island as their forever home, which is why you get to see the Penguin Parade every day of the year.
- Self-funded conservation: Phillip Island Nature Parks and the Penguin Parade self-fund their conservation efforts, so purchasing tickets to the Penguin Parade and other Phillip Island attractions can help them continue their good work.
- Blue-feathered colony: Little Penguins are the only species of penguins that have blue feathers on their coat, which is unlike the traditional black & white seen on other penguins.
- A progressive household: Both the male and female penguins take turns with hunting for food, caring for their chicks, and watching over their burrows.
More things to do near the Penguin Parade
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Enjoy the views of this beautiful, 19th-century farm, interact with the farm animals, and take photos. You can also take one of the walking trails to learn about the Aboriginal culture and view wetland birds.
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Koala Conservation Reserve
Take a stroll on the tree-top boardwalks to meet koalas that call the reserve their home. View them in their natural habitat and learn about their lives. Keep an eye out for native birds, wallabies, and echidnas while you're there.
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The Nobbies Centre
Learn about the animals that live between Phillip Island and Antarctica. Explore the interactive Lab, Whale Racer, and dive into the Southern Ocean to experience what it’s like to be up close with these wondrous creatures.
Check out our comprehensive guide on things to do at Phillip Island for more information on what you should see and do at the island.
Frequently asked questions about Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets
Where can I book Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets?
You can book your Penguin Parade tickets online or over the counter at the venue through a cashless transaction. It is best to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid tickets being sold out.
What are the different types of Penguin Parade tickets available?
You have three types of viewing options available: General viewing tickets which are AU$32, Underground viewing tickets which are AU$85, and Penguin Plus tickets which are AU$80. If you are looking for a budget buy, go for the General viewing ticket. If you want the best close up views of the penguins, their arrival and walk home, go for the Underground viewing tickets.
Are there any Penguin Parade combo tickets available?
Yes, you can opt for a From Melbourne: Half-Day or Full-Day Phillip Island Guided Tour or a Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass, both of which includes access to the Penguin Parade. By default, you get the General viewing option, but you can upgrade to an Underground or Penguin Plus viewing option.
How much do Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets cost?
The standard ticket prices for the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island start from AU$32 and can go higher depending on your viewing option. The 3-Parks pass starts from AU$64, and the guided tours start from AU$155.
Can I see the Penguin Parade for free?
While you may see the odd penguin or two on the boardwalks at Phillip Island, the Summerland Beach cove is where the main colony lives, and is also where the Penguin Parade takes place. You will need a paid ticket to access this zone.
What is the best way to book Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets?
We recommend booking your Phillip Island Penguin Parade tickets online as they come with a plethora of benefits.
- Good seats: If you pick a Penguin Plus or Underground viewing ticket, you can get reserved seats for the attraction.
- Online discounts: You can enjoy great discounts on online tickets.
- Free cancellations: Depending on your ticket, you can get free cancellations and get a full refund if your plans change.
- Combos: Choose from a variety of combo options that allow you to explore other Nature Parks or other Melbourne attractions.
- Transfers: Some tickets include transfers to and from Melbourne to ensure you don’t have to plan for it on the day of your booking.
What is the validity of my Penguin Parade tickets?
Your Penguin Parade ticket is valid only for the day and time slot mentioned in your ticket.
Can my Penguin Parade tickets be cancelled?
Yes, your Penguin Parade tickets allow you to cancel them for free, however, the duration within which you can cancel will vary depending on the type of tickets you book. Make sure to read the cancellation policy for your tickets carefully while booking.
Which is the best spot to watch the Penguin Parade?
If you want a great 360-degree view of the penguins emerging from the sea and waddling to their burrows, go for the Penguins Plus viewing. Although, you will need to be prepared for the chilly sea winds, so dress in layers. The General viewing area also has some good spots on the beach, right below the grandstands, where you can watch the parade on a budget. Make sure to arrive at least an hour in advance to grab the best spots.
Is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade worth seeing?
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Little Penguins, the smallest species of penguins. Barring Australia and New Zealand, these species are not found anywhere else in the world and watching them waddle back to their burrows after a day of swimming and hunting in the sea is an experience that can’t be missed.
What else can I do on Phillip Island?
So many amazing things! You can go on a tour of Phillip Island and explore the other Nature Parks. Sign up for paid activities or find things to do for free! From surfing, cycling and whale searching to walking up beach trails and learning about aboriginal culture and wildlife, the options are endless. Head over to our guide on things to do at Phillip Island for more inspo.
What time does the Phillip Island Penguin Parade begin?
With penguins arriving daily at sunset, Phillip Island Visitor Center opens daily at 4pm. You can view the penguin arrival calendar here. There is never a bad time to visit the Penguin Parade, since the penguins will parade every day of the year. Plan your visit depending on your weather and time preferences. If you prefer to see them earlier in the day and don't mind the cold, then visit between May and August. If you want a less cold climate and don't mind waiting till later in the night, then visit between November and January.
What is the location of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
The Penguin Parade is located at 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia. Find on maps.
What is the best way to get to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
The best way to get to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island is to get your own vehicle or book a Penguin Parade ticket that includes transfers. Public transport is limited on Phillip Island, so if you visit outside of a tour, you will need to hire a taxi to get to the venue.
Is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade wheelchair accessible?
The Penguin Parade is completely wheelchair-accessible. Complimentary wheelchairs are available on request. Additionally, the venue has accessible parking and toilets for those with limited mobility. There are designated wheelchair accessible viewing areas right next to the path of penguins, and along the boardwalks.
What should I wear to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
It is advisable to wear comfortable clothing and footwear to the Penguin Parade. Dress in layers as it can get cold and breezy in the evenings, especially during the winter months.
Is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade suitable for children?
The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island is a popular attraction for all ages, especially children. We suggest that you book Penguin Plus or Underground viewing tickets to ensure that you get the best views of the penguins for your young ones.