Phillip Island Penguin Tour

• 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.

• Any meals not indicated within the itinerary – at the guest’s own expense. We provide plenty of opportunities for guests to support locals and buy lunch/dinner along the way.
• Travel insurance is highly recommended
• Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
• Personal expenses

1L refillable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, all-weather warm clothing for the evening, a jumper or windproof jacket as you will be exposed to the elements of the weather, small day pack 5-7kg, money for snacks and meals, and camera to capture every moment.

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 Contract 

All bookings are made with Get Lost Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 94 143 929 962) (us/we). By booking a trip with us you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions set out in these booking conditions. Your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation and/or invoice. Accredited Bus Number: AC003612.

Validity 

Dates and itineraries are valid until 31 March 2026, effective from 01 June 2024 dates and itineraries are indicative only.

Standard Conditions 

Any references to ‘GLT’, ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ equates to Get Lost Travel Pty Ltd, which applies to the following GLT brands and entities below Autopia Tours, Wildlife Tours Australia, Walking Country, Wayoutback Australian Safaris, Australian Bus Charters & Tailormade Touring, Boutique Touring Company and Geelong & Bellarine Tours.

Please take the time to read and understand the conditions of booking set out below before booking a trip with us.

We strongly recommend that you also read the information relating to your product or service before booking to ensure that you understand the itinerary, style, and physical demands of the tour you are undertaking. GLT will not be held responsible for passengers failing to familiarise themselves with the booking terms and conditions.

Although every effort is made, GLT shall not be liable for any illness, injury, damages, loss, delay, or failure to join the tour that may occur due to factors beyond our control. We highly recommend all passengers have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, should they have to cancel a trip at the last minute.

GLT reserves the right to modify routes or itineraries, vehicle types, fares, days of operation, or even cancel tours when unforeseen circumstances arise. This is especially true during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures due to traditional landowner ceremonies. Other accredited tour operators may be used from time to time on some tours.

Fares are shown in Australian Currency and are correct at time of printing but are subject to change.

Traveller Information 

For us to confirm your travel arrangements, you must provide all requested details at the time of booking. Your full name, contact details, email address, dietary requirements (if applicable), nationality, or Australian postcode and any pre-existing medical conditions you have that may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements.

For more information about how we treat your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Booking Terms and Conditions 

Customers Responsible Travel

The customer shall comply with all Government (Federal, State, and Territory) conditions of entry into Australia and/or at the time of travel for tour and transport services.

In the event that a traveler needs to cancel unexpectedly due to visa restrictions, a medical condition, family reasons, or changes to regulations imposed by the government, the operator shall apply discretion when applying cancellation policies in these circumstances. The operator reserves the right to withhold such a reasonable sum to cover administrative expenses and other losses, dependent on when notice of cancellation is given by the customer.

It was previously recommended by the Department of Health that commercial passenger vehicle drivers and passengers wear fitted face masks whilst in transit to minimise the spread of the virus. This is no longer mandatory, but rather at the driver’s or traveller’s own discretion. Some remote regions have limited access to RAT tests, so multi-day travelers are still advised to bring some along.

In the unlikely event that a traveller must leave a tour midway after it has commenced, or attempt to join a tour after departure, the operator is not required to reimburse any aspects of the tour that they did not participate in. As part of this, the traveler is responsible for any relocation expenses incurred from the point of departure to their nominated destination and is the traveller’s responsibility and will not be reimbursed.

Note: Different cancellation conditions may apply if/when booked through third-party agents. Your travel consultant will advise if differences apply. Travelers are strongly advised to purchase personal cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

Cancellations & Refund Policy 

Cancellation by the Traveller 

We understand that travel plans can sometimes change, if you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only take effect when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant booking agent notifying them of your cancellation.

If you wish to change or cancel a trip: 

Day Trips 

(a) 0 to 1 day / within 24-hrs from the experience start time or failure to board on tour:
     ● will result in a 100% cancellation fee / full fare forfeiture of the ticket price and not eligible for a refund; or     
(b) 2+ days prior to the departure:
     ● we will refund the full balance paid by you in connection with your booking; or
     ● flexible date changes – unlimited supply of free date changes available; or
     ● alternatively, we can issue a credit voucher for the amount paid to travel on another day

Short Break / Extended Tours

(a) 0 to 14 days before the departure date or failure to board on tour:
     ● will result in a 100% cancellation fee / full fare forfeiture of the ticket price and not eligible for a refund; or 
(b) 15+ days prior to the departure:
     ● we will refund the full balance paid by you in connection with your booking; or
     ● flexible date changes – unlimited supply of free date changes available; or
     ● alternatively, we can issue a credit voucher for the amount paid to travel on another day

Any credit travel voucher resulting from a cancellation under (Cancellation by the Traveller) has an expiry date of 3 years and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us. This credit is transferable on experience, however not redeemable for cash.

Note different cancellation conditions may apply if/when booked through third-party agents, your travel consultant will advise if differences apply. We strongly advise travellers to take out personal cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

Cancellation by the Operator 

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once minimum group sizes have been met for the tour, unless it specifically states otherwise (refer to Product Fact Sheets) or in the event of a Force Majeure (refer below) resulting in the cancellation of a trip.

We have the right to cancel a trip at any time prior to departure if external events occur that deem it not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary.

Standard Cancellation 

If we the tour operator cancel your trip, we can offer you a choice of:
(a) a 100% reimbursement of monies paid for your trip
(b) transfer amounts paid to an alternative departure date or tour operated by GLT; or
(c) issued with a credit travel voucher to the amount paid for your trip, valid for 3-years

Force Majeure Cancellation 

If a trip is cancelled due to a ‘Force Majeure Event’, we can offer you a choice of:
(a) a 100% credit voucher of monies paid for your trip; or
(b) a refund minus unrecoverable costs.

If the cancellation due to a ‘Force Majeure Event’ occurs after a trip has commenced, we can offer you a choice of a pro-rata:
(a) 110% credit voucher for the days that remain on your trip; or
(b) refund minus unrecoverable costs of the days that remain on your trip.

Any credit travel voucher resulting from a cancellation as mentioned in (Cancellation by the Traveller):
     ● 3-year expiry date and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by GLT;
     ● are not redeemable for cash;
     ● excludes flights or insurance as they will have their own booking conditions

In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, refunds will be less than any unrecoverable costs. GLT cannot be held responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, or non-refundable flights.

A “Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to: acts of God; war; civil commotion; riot; blockade or embargo; fire; explosion; breakdown; union dispute; earthquake; epidemic, pandemic or other health emergency; flood; windstorm or other extreme weather event; lack or failure of courses of supply; passage of any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand, requisition or requirement or any other act of any government authority, beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue.

Acceptance of Risk

Australia is home to a wide range of dangerous animals, extreme weather conditions, and varied terrain. Experiencing these dangers while camping, hiking, or passing time outside may increase your personal risk. Safety is our number one priority and our guides are highly trained to ensure passenger safety at all times. Get Lost Travel Pty Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or accident caused by passengers onboard our tours.

Travel Insurance

We recommend all guests have personal travel insurance which should be taken out at the time of booking prior to tour departure. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident death, 24/7 medical expenses, and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$ 200,000 for each of the categories of cover.

We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation curtailment, COVID-19 cover, personal liability, and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number, and the emergency contact number with you rather than the bank’s name and credit card details.

Alcohol Policy

Alcohol is not permitted on board our vehicles. We reserve the right to refuse re-entry if passengers are overly intoxicated and pose a threat to other passengers, our driver, or our vehicle. We also reserve the right to advise at any time prior to departure and whilst in operation, that alcohol is no longer permitted. The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years old, photo ID is required.

Child Policy (Age Requirements)

Our child and infant policy, as well as pricing, vary depending on the specific trip due to the diversity of our product offerings. Please refer to the tour page for detailed information. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. 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.

Important Note: Due to the type of experiences we operate throughout Australia, some may require a medium to high level of fitness and a doctor’s certificate is required for people over 70 years old (30 days before travel).

Prices and surcharges 

Our tour prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. Depending on the trip, passengers are likely to be charged different prices, so booking at that time is the best option if you like the price. Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after you have paid your fare price will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply as set out below in (Cancellation by the Traveller). The most up-to-date pricing is available on our websites. Please note that a surcharge may be applied to a purchase made by credit card.

Luggage Policy 

To maximize the comfort of your journey no luggage storage facilities are provided on our (Day Trips): It is recommended you bring a small day pack no bigger than 5-7kg. (Short-Break / Extended Tours): Maximum baggage allowance per person is 15-20kg preferably a soft travelling pack.
Excessive amounts of luggage may incur a surcharge fee. Inappropriate luggage presented on the day of departure such as surfboards, bikes, and an excessive amount of luggage may result in refusal to board unless previously arranged. Other: mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushers, prams, walking frames, and other walking aids cannot be stored safely on our vehicles. Please advise prior to booking if there are any of these aids required.

Pick-up & Drop-offs

GLT may offer complimentary inner-city pick-up and drop-off services to selected accommodation providers. Please note it is the customer’s responsibility to be waiting out the front of your selected pickup location (accommodation provider) at least 10 minutes before departure. Failure to wait out the front of your selected accommodation or nominated meeting point may result in the tour guide being unable to locate you causing failure to load. GLT cannot be held responsible for passengers who fail to load.

Weather Policy

The weather conditions throughout Australia can vary significantly. While we strive to operate our tours as planned, tours will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions that pose a safety risk, such as storms, floods, lightning or extreme temperatures. Tours will not be cancelled due to rain, fog, or similar weather occurrences unless they significantly impact safety or accessibility. If a tour is cancelled due to extreme weather, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer the option to reschedule or provide a full refund, depending on availability and your preferences.

We recommend checking the average temperatures for your travel dates and packing accordingly. Please note that we are not responsible for any additional costs or inconvenience caused by weather-related changes, including accommodation, travel, or other expenses. We advise all travellers to come prepared for varying weather conditions to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Special Requirements

Please notify the tour operator of any food allergies or special dietary requirements, and/or medical conditions at the time of booking or 7 days prior to the tour departure. While we endeavor to cater to most dietary needs, there are limited food options in some regions we visit on extended tours, so forward planning is required to ensure we can accommodate but it is not guaranteed. For those with special dietaries, we recommend you bring snacks along.

Booking Confirmations & Enquiries 

All reservations must be confirmed within 48 hours of departure via email to [email protected].

Updated June 2024.

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.

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.