Your Phillip Island Penguin Tour will be your ultimate wildlife-viewing adventure. Phillip Island hosts awe-inspiring natural wonders and bountiful attractions for naturalists and experiences alike. It is best known as the world’s largest fairy penguin colony. This magical procession of adorable little penguins waddling up the beach after a day’s fishing is a remarkable sight that will not be forgotten.
Travel to Phillip Island
Phillip Island is 90-minute drive southeast of Melbourne. Spectacular surf beaches lap the gateway to Phillip Island Nature Park, covering the expansive Southern coastline. Expect to see stunning sweeping views of Gippsland on your way to the bridge that connects the mainland to the island in Western Port Bay. Visit the Instagram-worthy Cape Woolamai surf beach and begin to understand the locals’ passion for surfing these famous roaring waves.
Visit the Koala Conservation Centre
Encounter our beloved Australian icons at the Koala Conservation Centre. Come close to the koalas as you walk along the elevated boardwalks lifted amongst eucalyptus trees. The six-hectare bushland has plenty of native birds, wallabies and echidnas. The main settlement is the quaint settlement of Cowes. Here you will have time to explore and relish a meal from one of the many speciality shops.
Visit the Phillip Island Nature Park
The next stop is Summerland’s Phillip Island Nature Park, where you will experience the magic of the little penguin sunset procession. Delight in the smallest penguin in the world, popping their adorable heads out of the Southern Ocean after a tiresome day’s fishing. Marvel at them waddling up the beach to find their burrows in the dunes, where they will call to their family, who is awaiting the catch of the day.
Nobbies Rocks Boardwalk
You can stop at the Nobbies Rocks and Penguin Habitat Boardwalk that stretches along the rugged coastline. Your tour guide and wildlife specialist will explain how we can help preserve this precious penguin colony. Primarily how, we can enjoy the penguins with minimal impact, and catch a glimpse of the little penguin finally resting after a long day at sea.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Your tour will next explore the Phillip Island Penguin Centre. Take a wander through the interactive and educational displays in the visitor centre. From tiered viewing stands and boardwalks, you will then experience over 2000 fairy penguins in their natural habitat. The name ‘little penguins’ fits these tiny animals, as they stand no more than 33 centimetres tall and weigh around 1 kilogram. These small creatures will melt your heart with dark blue feathers on their back and white on their belly. They spend most of their life searching for food in the Southern Ocean and only return to their burrows at night. We are lucky to experience this grand parade as they waddle across the beach, cooing for their families in the dune burrows. Please note that photography of the little penguin is not permitted, as flash photography can damage their vision.
Best time to complete
The Penguin Parade is busy throughout the year, most popular at Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year and school holidays. Please make sure you book a month in advance to save disappointment. The best time to journey to Phillip Island is late autumn or early spring when it is not too cold and dark. Penguins arrive at sunset every day of the year. At this time of the year, the evening is earlier, saving the family from having a late night. We aim to arrive one hour before the penguin’s arrival to provide time to explore.
Ticket options
The Phillip Island Nature Park offers a selection of penguin-viewing experiences. The general viewing area at Summerland Beach has tiered seating that manages a 180-degree elevated viewing of the little penguins. Adult tickets are included in your tour price.
Penguins Plus upgrade
The Penguins Plus viewing platform inhales the natural scenes of the coastal landscape. It offers visitors up-close viewing of the penguins, including a comprehensive expert ranger commentary on the lives of these captivating creatures. Limited to a maximum of 300 people, the raised area oversees the famous path of the penguin parade, providing an intimate look at the penguins. + $35 Adult / $25 Child
Underground Viewing Experience
Experience a bird’s-eye view of the little penguins in the Underground viewing encounter. Limited to a maximum of 70 people, this world-class attraction offers you the convenience of being indoors and undercover. You receive the best possible prospect from watching the little penguins waddle their way along the most popular pathway of the Penguin Parade. + $70 Adult / $30 Child
The Ultimate Penguin Travel
On a fully accredited Eco Tour, the Ultimate Penguin Tour will provide a personalised venture to a secluded beach away from the Penguin Parade. This truly is the ultimate naturalist adventure. You will be given personal headphones to listen to informative commentary and view penguins with high-tech night vision. The minimum age is 16 years. POA.
With plenty of opportunities to see native Australian wildlife in its natural habitat, Phillip Island is an iconic Victorian destination that cannot be missed. Book our Phillip Island penguin tour today.
