Phillip Island Penguin Tour

Join us for a sunset symphony of wildlife wonder on our Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour from Melbourne.

This unforgettable adventure brings you close to some of Australia’s most loved native animals, from adorable little penguins waddling home across the moonlit sand to sleepy koalas resting among eucalyptus trees.

Along the way, enjoy the rugged beauty of Phillip Island, where coastal views, crashing waves, and wild landscapes create the perfect backdrop for a magical evening of nature and wildlife.

You’ll also learn about the island’s unique ecosystem and the important conservation work helping protect its penguins, seals, koalas, and other native species for future generations.

DEPARTS

11:45 am

RETURNS

9:30 pm

Days

PRICE from

$180 AUD

Operates

MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT, SUN

Touring Route

Trip Style

Original

Language

Multilingual

Age Restriction

No age restrictions

Group Size

Max 38 people

Highlights

Witness hundreds of the world’s smallest penguins come ashore at sunset
Sunset at the Penguin Parade with spectacular coastal views from Summerland Beach
Visit Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve and stroll along the boardwalk trails
Explore The Nobbies Center at Seal Rocks, with spectacular clifftop views. *The boardwalks are open while the Nobbies Centre is closed for works.
Discover the majestic coastline and natural beauty of Phillip Island
A family-friendly Australian wildlife discovery experience

Trip Inclusions

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
Multilingual translation app available in 20 languages, including 10 with full audio + text support. Please note: personal headphones are required and are not supplied onboard.

What to Bring

Weather-appropriate clothing
Your sense of adventure
Waterproof rain jacket
Water bottle &/or Camelbak (2L minimum)
Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
Thermals, bed socks, warm clothes, hot water bottle (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr)
Money for snacks and meals
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat

Gallery

Google & TripAdvisor Reviews

Autopia Tours

4.8

Based on 8816 reviews

Review Us

had a lot of fun! saw some koalas and penguins, super cool!!
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Ludo Berardi
6/17/2026

It was a great experience, the koala experience, the stunning outlook at Noobies Centrer and most especially the magical Penguin Parade, it's one for the books, all made even more memorable by Fiona. She's amazing and energetic. Hope to have her again in our next tour.
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Melanie
6/16/2026

Thanks Fiona’s bus, great tour with much enthusiasm and many fun facts from Fiona. So cute to see penguins and koalas up close.
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Celeste Curtis
6/16/2026
Thanks Fiona's bus. Loved your tour and all the helpful information and tips. It was the most perfect way to spend our last day in Melbourne. Cutest penguins ever. Koala conservation was awesome too.
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Melina Curtis
6/16/2026

Me and my wife had a wonderful time visiting Phillip Island and seeing the Penguin Parade. Fiona was an amazing guide, which helped us a lot during the trip with lots of fun facts about the places we went.
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Petrus Oliveira Tiveron
6/16/2026

I was looking for a tour that included access to the Underground Viewing area and was happy to find this one. With an Underground Viewing ticket, you can not only watch the penguins at eye level from the underground viewing platform, but also view them from the outdoor seating area of Penguin Plus.Seeing the penguins waddle right past us, hearing their footsteps, and watching them return to their burrows was an unforgettable experience. We were absolutely delighted.Our guide, Joel, was kind and informative. His explanations were clear and engaging, and he made the wildlife commentary even more enjoyable by including occasional quizzes along the way.Thank you for a wonderful and memorable day!
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馬場朝香
6/15/2026
Kiwi is a wonderful guide, had a brilliant experience at the Koala sanctuary and the Phillip Island Penguins
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Prabhu S M
6/10/2026

Amazing trip! Penguins are so cute! Traveling with Kiwi was amazing!
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梁家偉
6/10/2026

It was a fun and enjoyable experience. You get to see koalas and penguins in a single trip. Appreciate Kiwi (Chris) as our driver and guide. His knowledge of the history of Melbourne and the places that we visited are superb!Visited in May/Jun, be prepared for the freezing coastal wind. Make sure you have ample clothing
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Babe Tanya
5/31/2026
Sam, our tour guide, was fabulous and informative. The experience was one of the best days of our entire trip. And, unexpectedly, the wings at the penguin center were delicious with a salad tucked underneath.
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Erika Huddle
5/30/2026

Joe was a very good guide. We enjoyed the trip. General view for penguin parade is good enough. Gives sufficient food and toilet break
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Ina Bhattacharya
5/27/2026

Joel was great, phillip island was so cool
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Victor Bian
5/27/2026
Fiona is a great guide . I have a great day with my wife joining this Penguin tour. Highly recommended !!! Thank you so much :)
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Ewan Fung
5/26/2026

Amazing experience visiting Phillip Island! We got to see the penguins and also koalas, which made the tour even more special. Everything was very well organised and the whole day was unforgettable.A special thanks to Fiona, our bus driver and guide, who was incredibly kind and attentive throughout the tour. She gave us lots of helpful tips and made the experience even better. Highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Melbourne!
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Andrea Anton
5/25/2026

This Philip Island trip was amazing . Fiona , our guide was all sunshine . She made our wonderful trip even better. In fact she was so good that she lent us her spare rain coat for the penguin show . The trip was very nice and nicely timed
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Ronita MG
5/20/2026

Trip Itinerary

Tour Details

*This tour is affected by daylight savings hours, departure times may change throughout the year to maximise the sunset experience.

Tour code: PI-B
Operates: Daily
Departs: 13:45pm (Oct to Mar) / 11:45am (Apr to Sep)
Returns: 23:45pm (Oct to Mar) / 21:45pm (Apr to Sep)
Duration: 9.5 hours
World-class wildlife encounter
Penguin Parade general viewing entry
Koala Conservation Reserve entry
Hosted by an experienced driver guide
Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Travel in Style and comfort onboard our new fleet of vehicles
Audio translation services available in 10 languages

Melbourne to Phillip Island

Experience one of Australia’s most spectacular wildlife events as hundreds of tiny penguins waddle ashore at Phillip Island.

Australian Wildlife and Coastal Scenery

This unforgettable tour brings you close to unique Australian wildlife while showcasing the island’s breathtaking coastal scenery, rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and diverse ecosystems.

Koala Conservation Reserve

Our wildlife adventure begins at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, the perfect first stop for animal lovers.

Stroll along picturesque boardwalk trails through natural woodlands and keep your eyes peeled for koalas resting in the eucalyptus trees.

Food and Refreshment Options

Meals are not included, but guests can purchase food and refreshments in Cowes or at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, helping support the local island economy.

The Nobbies and Rugged Coastline

Continue to The Nobbies, located at the western end of Phillip Island, where dramatic sea views and rocky coastal landscapes create a stunning photo stop.

Seals, Wallabies and Native Birds

Keep an eye out for the Australian fur seal colony basking offshore, along with wild wallabies and native birds during the back road journey across the island.

Penguin Parade Visitor Centre

The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at Summerland Beach is one of the world’s most fascinating ecotourism attractions.

Explore engaging exhibits and informative displays that share the story of little penguins, local wildlife, and important conservation work.

Little Penguins at Sunset

As the sun sets, witness the magical moment when the world’s tiniest penguins, known as Little Penguins, emerge from the waves and waddle ashore.

Watching these adorable creatures return home after a day at sea is a heartwarming wildlife experience you won’t soon forget.

Route details

Where to meet

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.

Our commitment

At Autopia Tours, we actively promote the protection of flora and fauna on our Melbourne Tours. It is our duty to ensure there is minimal disturbance to this World Heritage Listed region and the species that call it home. Cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional owners should also be shown at all times.

Part of our responsibility is educating guests on minimal impact practices and the importance of ensuring the safety of wildlife and the environmental sustainability of the destinations we visit.

Learn more about EcoTourism: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/

Traditional Owners

Autopia Tours would like to begin by paying our respects to the traditional owners of this country, with specific acknowledgement to the Wurundjeri people. Please be conscious and respectful of the sensitivities of indigenous culture and the spiritual connection they have with the land at all times.

Wildlife Encounters

The natural behaviours of wildlife are to be respected and not interfered with. When viewing wildlife, people should take care to avoid rapid or sudden movements, which could frighten the animal, and should keep noise to a minimum and refrain from touching, petting or feeding all wildlife including birds. Contact with people can introduce diseases to wildlife and can cause them to become aggressive.

Wildlife should not be handled or fed, unless by certified wildlife handlers. Feeding wildlife can alter their natural foraging behaviour and can lead to disease or illness through contact with people and the introduction of foods that are harmful to their digestive system. Feeding wildlife can also cause them to become aggressive toward people.

Wildlife that appears to be in distress, injured or in danger should be reported immediately to the appropriate authority, such as your Guide/Tour Leader, a National Park Ranger or Visitor Centre Staff.

Protecting our National Parks

People should remain on designated walking tracks, behind safety barriers/fences and follow all directions given by the guide/tour leader. Venturing off these can alter fragile ecosystems and can harm wildlife shelters and native vegetation. There are other dangers to be aware of too, such as cliff edges, unstable rock formations, overhanging tree branches and slippery ground cover. Remaining on tracks ensures safe visitation for guests and the environment.

No flora or fauna should be removed from their natural setting. This includes dead wood, fallen leaves, flowers and so forth, as they form part of the ecosystem of the region and their removal could cause a disturbance.

Waste Management

All buses are fitted with waste bins. No organic waste should be disposed of onto the ground. Although organic, items such as banana peels, apple cores, bread and other food scraps, are not natural/native to the region and can introduce pest species, diseases or harm to wildlife if found and eaten. We recommend all passengers bring a water bottle with you on our Grampians Tour. Purchasing bottled water contributes large amounts of plastic into the landfill. Therefore, we ask guests to bring their own bottle, as there is access to water refill stations available on our vehicles. Please ensure you stay hydrated throughout the tour to reduce the risk of sun exposure and dehydration.

First Aid

All our guides carry a current Level 2 First Aid certificate. Please report any accident or illness to your tour guide. We recommend anyone with an existing medical condition to carry their medication with them on tour and to notify their tour guide at the beginning of the tour.

If you are a smoker! We ask you to refrain from smoking whilst in the company of other passengers and limit it to designated smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted on any of our vehicles, or in any type of accommodation including permanent campsites. We make frequent ‘comfort stops’ to allow free time for guests but cannot guaranteed smoke breaks. Please ensure you dispose of your cigarette butt responsibly and appropriately.

Know before you book

What is a suitable age for this tour?

Child fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Infants aged 0 to 4 may be able to join select sightseeing tours, though some day tours may not be suitable due to the terrain or duration. A child ticket is required for infants, as they are included in the head count. Child safety seats can be requested at the time of booking, subject to availability but are not guaranteed. We are not obligated by regulations to provide child safety seats. Please note our vehicles do not have the storage to accommodate prams or strollers, these must be left at your hotel or accommodation.

What time do the penguins arrive?

Every day of the year, penguins arrive at sunset. Check our penguin arrival calendar to find out what time that is during your visit. We suggest you arrive one hour before the penguins start arriving so you can explore the visitor center displays, and grab a meal at the cafe, before heading down to the beach for the parade.

Can I take photos at the Penguin Parade?

No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure penguins keep coming back to this special area we ask you not to use your cameras, camcorders, or camera phones at the Penguin Parade. Rangers will be onsite to ensure people adhere to this request.

How much luggage can I bring on tour?

We ask that guests travelling on day trips bring small day packs and hand luggage only as we have limited storage onboard our vehicles. Suitcases and large backpacks must be put in storage at your hotel or bus station lockers prior to boarding our vehicles.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

A low level of fitness is required to complete the walks on this tour itinerary.

How many people are on this tour?

We operate this tour with an average of 35 people onboard, our fleet consists of mainly 28-seater or 38-seater Yutong Coaches. These vehicles are designed for safe & comfortable on long journeys (air-conditioned), with large passenger windows for unobstructed views and USB charging ports. It is possible that the trip will be conducted in a larger vehicle on rare occasions, based on demand.

What happens if it rains, will the tour proceed?

In the event of rain or inclement weather, your travel experience will still go ahead, unless contacted by the provider. This tour would only be cancelled in extreme weather conditions, whereby it’s not safe to travel on Phillip Island. The Penguin Parade is at sunset and outside, we highly recommend bringing all-weather clothing on this tour as temperatures can be cool and windy in the evenings.

Safe Travel Statement

For your safety, we have implemented comprehensive hygiene measures and increased regular sanitation. For more information click here.

Booking terms

Our Contract

All bookings are made with Get Lost Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 94 143 929 962). By making a booking, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. Your booking is considered confirmed upon receipt of your booking confirmation and/or invoice.

These Terms & Conditions are valid from 1 August 2025 until 31 March 2027, though dates and itineraries remain subject to change at any time.

Accredited Bus Number: AC003612.

Booking Confirmations & Enquiries

All bookings must be confirmed within 72 hours of departure via email to [email protected]

Before You Book

Please ensure you:

Understand the style, itinerary and physical demands of your chosen tour.
Familiarise yourself with these Terms & Conditions and tour details.
Disclose any medical conditions, dietary requirements or special needs.

We are not responsible for passengers who fail to review this information prior to travel.

Traveller Responsibilities

Travellers are required to comply with all relevant government regulations (Federal, State and Territory).
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. In exceptional cases (e.g. serious medical issues, visa denials, or regulatory changes), requests may be considered with supporting documentation. Approval is not guaranteed.
To ensure the safety of all passengers, if you are feeling unwell during your tour, you must notify your guide immediately.
If you choose to leave a tour early or join after it has commenced, no refund will be provided and any additional costs incurred due to late arrival or early departure remain your responsibility.

Traveller Information

To confirm your booking, you must provide:

Full name and contact details.
Email address and dietary restrictions (if applicable).
Nationality, country of origin or Australian postcode.
Pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your travel.
For Comfort Style Tours including domestic flight, passport details (or government-issued photo ID for Australian citizens) are required. Failure to provide this may result in missed flights and additional costs.

Please see our Privacy Policy for information on how we manage your personal data.

Special Requirements

Please advise us at the time of booking or no later than 7 days before departure of any:

Medical conditions.
Dietary requirements / food allergies.
Mobility or accessibility needs.

We will do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee all requests, especially in remote regions. We recommend bringing your own snacks for special dietary needs.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all travellers obtain comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking.

Insurance should include cover for:

Medical emergencies and repatriation (recommended minimum AUD $300,000 or USD $200,000).
Personal accident, illness, loss of property and liability.
Tour cancellation, flight delays and force majeure disruption.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Comfort Style Tours. Proof of cover will be requested before departure. If you do not provide adequate cover, you may be refused travel and cancellation fees will apply.

If relying on credit card insurance, please bring policy number, insurer’s name and emergency contact details.

Check Availability & Book Now!

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FAQ

What is the best way to book Phillip Island tours?

Yes! Phillip Island offers many attractions and nature parks where visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature and make unforgettable memories while travelling in comfort and enjoying commentary from an informative tour guide.

Is a tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island worth it?

When is the best time to visit Phillip Island Nature Parks?

You can visit Phillip Island Nature Parks all year round, but the optimum time to visit is in the summer when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities.

Can I take photos of the penguins during the tour?

No photography or videography is allowed on the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes, and a bright sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorient a penguin. To ensure that penguins continue to return to this special area, we ask that you do not use cameras, video cameras or camera phones in the Penguin Parade. Rangers will ensure that people comply with this request.

How much does it cost to see the penguins on Phillip Island?

A general close-up viewing ticket for the Penguin Parade is included in the tour price. Add the Penguin Plus Viewing for a closer view for only $60.

Can wheelchair users access Phillip Island tours?

Our buses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, dedicated floor space, adjustable restraint systems or safe spaces for mobility aids, prams or pushchairs. If you have a folding wheelchair and can board our vehicles without assistance, please call to check wheelchair dimensions and inclusion in the itinerary.

Can I see the koala sanctuary and penguin parade in one day?

Yes, it is possible to visit the koala reserve and penguin parade on a daily basis and they are both included in our Phillip Island day tours. Both are located on Phillip Island, a short drive from each other.

Can you advise on where to stay on Phillip Island?

There are various accommodation options on Phillip Island to suit all tastes and budgets. Island Accommodation offers luxury accommodation with excellent facilities. Families and groups often choose self-contained apartments or holiday homes such as Philip Island Apartments. Genesta House Bed and Breakfast offers a cosy and welcoming atmosphere for a more intimate stay. Camping and caravan sites are also available for outdoor enthusiasts.