The Phillip Island Penguin Tour isn’t just an ordinary wildlife trip – it’s the kind of experience that stays with you after you shake the sand out of your shoes. As daylight starts to dip on Bass Strait, hundreds of those teeny-tiny penguins come scrambling out of the surf, bellies full & feathers looking all pretty, and you get to watch ’em waddle their way back to the dunes as dusk rolls in.
Phillip Island – just a couple of hours down the road from Melbourne – changes into a living, breathing postcard every single evening. With its stunning coastline, wildlife sanctuaries & that special something that happens with light down here in the south, it’s a holiday spot that families, couples & nature nuts can all fall in love with.
Highlights
- Watch hundreds of Little Penguins waddle ashore at sunset – it’s a real treat
- Take in the sunset views at Summerland Beach where the Penguin Parade is set against a stunning coastal backdrop
- Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, stroll along the elevated boardwalk & get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat
- Discover The Nobbies Centre & Seal Rocks, where you can enjoy dramatic cliff top views and check out the penguin burrows
- Get a learn about penguin life and the conservation efforts at the interactive Pengiun Parade Visitor Centre
- Admire the rugged coastline and get a feel for the natural beauty of Phillip Island
- This really is the perfect family-friendly day tour to celebrate Australia’s wildlife and nature
Tour Details
Tour Code: PI-B
Operates Daily
Departs: 1:45 pm between Oct & March or 11:45 am between Apr & Sep
Returns: 11:45 pm between Oct & March or 9:45 pm between Apr & Sep
Duration: 9.5 hours
- The ultimate wildlife experience that you’ll never forget
- General viewing entry to the Penguin Parade, it’s a real Aussie icon
- Get entry to the Koala Conservation Reserve, where you can get up close to those beautiful trees and the koalas in their natural habitat
- An expert driver-guide will keep you company on the tour
- We’ll pick you up and drop you off at convenient spots in Melbourne city
- Travel in comfort in our modern, airconditioned vehicles
- And if you need it, you can get an audio translation in 10 different languages
Full Itinerary
Join one of Melbournes most popular day tour experiences – the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour. Get ready for an adventure that’s going to take you to the world-famous Penguin Parade, show you the breathtaking coastal landscapes, unique wildlife, and charming seaside towns of the island.
Koala Conservation Reserve
1 hour and 45 minutes from Melbourne and you arrive at the Koala Conservation Reserve. Take a stroll through the bushland along those peaceful boardwalks & spot those koalas just chillin’ in the eucalyptus trees. You’ll get to learn about their behaviour, conservation & the importance of protecting this last bit of natural woodland on Phillip Island.
Exploring Phillip Island
Then it’s on to Phillip Island itself, a 10,000-hectare haven for a hundred or so native animals. With around 15,000 residents, the island really comes alive during the holiday season – offering a warm welcome and a relaxed coastal atmosphere in the main towns – Cape Woolamai, Newhaven, and Cowes.
Phillip Island Nature Parks
Next Phillip Island Nature Parks where sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and wildlife create a perfect setting. This protected area is home to over 32,000 Little Penguins, seals, seabirds and wallabies.
The Nobbies and Seal Rocks
Arrive at The Nobbies Centre overlooking the coastline and Seal Rocks. Walk along the clifftop boardwalks for ocean views and penguin burrows hidden in the vegetation. During summer you might even see seals sunbathing on the rocks offshore.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
As the sun sets travel through the backroads of the penguin habitat to Summerland Beach where the famous Penguin Parade takes place. Find your spot at the Visitor Centre and watch hundreds of Little Penguins emerge from the surf and waddle home to their burrows after a day of fishing.
These little “fairy penguins” are 30cm tall and 1kg. They are the smallest penguin species in the world. Their blue and white feathers give them the nickname “Blue Penguins”. Every evening they return to shore in small groups, performing their sunset ritual — one of Australia’s most magical natural wonders.
Driving Distance: 300km
Walking Distance: less than 1km
Please note: This tour is subject to daylight savings adjustments. Departure times vary throughout the year to ensure you see the Penguin Parade at sunset.
Details
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45AM (winter) / 13:45PM (summer).
Winter|Summer
- 11:05 | 13:05 – Pegasus Apartments Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St Melbourne
- 11:08 | 13:08 – Brady Apartment Hotel Hardware Lane – 388 Lonsdale St Melbourne
- 11:10 | 13:10 – Melbourne Marriott Hotel – Cnr Exhibition St Lonsdale St Melbourne
- 11:15 | 13:15 – Space Hotel – 380 Russell St Melbourne
- 11:20 | 13:20 – Grand Hyatt Melbourne – Russell St entrance Melbourne
- 11:25 | 13:25 – Windsor Hotel – 111 Spring St Melbourne
- 11:30 | 13:30 – Adina Apartment Hotel – 189 Queen St Melbourne
- 11:35 | 13:35 – The Savoy Hotel – 630 Little Collins St Melbourne
- 11:40 | 13:40 – The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne – 44 Spencer St Melbourne
- 11:45 | 13:45 – Immigration Museum – 400 Flinders St corner of Market St Melbourne
- 11:50 | 13:50 – Mercure Melbourne Southbank – 9 Riverside Quay Southbank
This tour is affected by daylight savings hours, and departure time changes to maximize the sunset experience.
- 07 Apr 2024 – 05 Oct 2024 winter @ 11:45am
- 06 Oct 2024 – 05 Apr 2025 summer @ 13:45pm
- 06 Apr 2025 – 04 Oct 2025 winter @ 11:45am
- 05 Oct 2025 – 04 Apr 2026 summer @ 13:45pm
Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup time so as not to delay or miss your tour.
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm and cool clothing
- Rain jacket
- Camera
- A sense of adventure
- Penguin Parade general viewing entry
- Admission into the Koala Conservation Reserve
- World-class wildlife encounter up close
- Onboard WiFi and USB charging ports
- Hosted by an experienced driver guide
- Comprehensive local and entertaining tour commentary
- Modern air-conditioned comfortable coach travel, reclining seats and spacious legroom
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points available, for additional locations call our reservations team
- Audio translation app service, available in 10 languages (Cantonese, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish) / Headphones not included.
* If you cannot find your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a more exhaustive list of locations.* It is strongly recommended that you arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before departure time. Please be patient and do not panic if your bus is running a few minutes late. If your bus has not picked you up within 10 minutes of your departure time, then contact our office on 03 9393 1300
For private tour groups contact our charters team on [email protected] for more information.
Booking Online
FAQ
How do I book Phillip Island tours?
The easiest way to book a Phillip Island tour from Melbourne is online through a reputable tour operator. You’ll get a comfortable journey, expert commentary from a knowledgeable guide and entry to all attractions — including the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve.
When do I visit Phillip Island Nature Parks?
Phillip Island Nature Parks are open all year but summer (December to February) is the peak season. The weather is warm and perfect for outdoor activities and longer daylight hours to explore before the evening Penguin Parade.
Can I take photos of the penguins during the tour?
No. Photography and videography are not permitted during the Penguin Parade. Penguins are sensitive to light and flashes or phone screens can disorient or scare them. To protect the penguins and their habitat, visitors are asked not to use cameras. Rangers will enforce this rule.
How much does it cost to see the penguins on Phillip Island?
The general viewing ticket for the Penguin Parade is included in your tour price. You can also upgrade to the Pengiun Plus Viewing Platform for an even closer and more immersive experience for an additional $60.
Can wheelchair users access Phillip Island tours?
Our vehicles do not have wheelchair ramps or mobility aid spaces. If you use a folding wheelchair and can get on the bus by yourself, please contact us before booking to check if your wheelchair will fit and can be taken on your chosen tour.
Can I see the Koala Sanctuary and Penguin Parade in one day?
Yes! The Koala Conservation Reserve and Penguin Parade are both on our Phillip Island day tours. The two are only a short drive apart so you can do both in one day from Melbourne.
Where to stay on Phillip Island?
Phillip Island has accommodation to suit everyone. Enjoy luxury at Island Accommodation, self contained apartments at Phillip Island Apartments, or relax at Genesta House Bed & Breakfast. If you prefer the great outdoors there are several camping and caravan parks around the island.
