Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Free cancellations*
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Full details
Get acquainted with the cutest little penguins in Australia!
Experience the wonders of Phillip Island Nature Park with this half day tour to see the seals, koalas, kangaroos and of course the Little Penguins that call this island home. And if you’re a lover of fine food and fabulous fauna, then this is definitely the tour for you!
Our guide to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Depart Melbourne and journey to the city’s most colourful attraction – the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes – for an opportunity to visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks.
Continue through Melbourne’s bayside suburbs on the way to the award-winning Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Here, enjoy a guided wildlife walk where you will have the opportunity to meet and hand-feed many species of native Australian animals. Learn about iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas, emus, and wallabies, as well as some of our lesser-known favourites including quolls, owls, bandicoots, and Tasmanian devils.
At Phillip Island itself, a visit to Point Grant and The Nobbies delivers views over Westernport Bay and the Bass Strait, including Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest population of fur seals.
However, the undoubted highlight of your Phillip Island tour – the main event – will be just after dark when the world’s smallest penguins parade ashore after spending the day fishing out at sea. You’ll be truly enchanted as the stars of the show emerge from the surf and pass right before your eyes on their journey back to their homes. Your guide will ensure you get the very best vantage point to enjoy the Penguin Parade.
After the parade, you will have plenty of time to explore the Visitor Centre before beginning your journey back to Melbourne. With a drop-off back at your inner city accommodation, you’ll remember this day as a true highlight of your Australian holiday.
Upgrade Options:
Why not embellish your trip with one of the following add-ons?
- Penguin Plus Viewing: For an exclusive viewing experience, upgrade to the more personalised “Penguins Plus” viewing platform. With numbers limited to 208, you’ll enjoy special ranger interpretation in a more natural setting.
- Penguins Underground Viewing: Enjoy up-close viewing of the penguins in their natural habitat through an underground viewing window, with the comfort & convenience of being indoors, undercover and out of the elements.
Departs:
Daily, year-round
Start times:
Departure times start from 10.00am-11.00am between May and August and between 11.00am-12.00noon from September and April
Duration:
9-12 hours (Return between 9pm and midnight – according to the season)
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions for Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- This tour uses smaller air-conditioned buses, allowing access to many areas not available to the larger coaches as well as providing a personal touch with the benefits of a small group environment.
- Nobbies viewing is seasonal and dependent on daylight hours.
- Tour returns seasonally between 9pm - midnight
- Photography of any kind is not permitted at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Photography is permitted at all other locations.
- The number of birds arriving on the beach varies significantly throughout the year due to seasonal factors.
- Dress according to the weather for that day. We recommend warm clothes & rain jackets in the winter months as it can get chilly on the Island when waiting for the penguin's arrival. Snacks & water bottle
- Any infants and children travelling must be advised at the time of booking. Prams and strollers are not permitted on the vehicle as they do not have storage space for these items.
- Infant seats (0-3 years) or a child booster seat (4-8 years) are provided free of charge. Please note we have a limited number of child seats available each day and they must be pre-booked.
- Go West Tours reserves the right to alter fares, inclusions, vehicles, use other accredited tour operators during peak season and may cancel tours in unforeseen circumstances.
- Tour operation or alterations to itineraries may occur due to road or weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes, public holidays, accommodation availability and/or other factors. The company gives no guarantee as to the exact arrival or departure times of tours as circumstances beyond our control may influence this.
- Go West Tours must be advised of any medical conditions or physical disability requiring special attention before the tour. Failing to advise us, may result in us refusing to accept the booking. We may also refuse travel if we feel that the tour chosen is not suitable without a suitably qualified companion.
- There is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 24 persons on each departure.
- *Cancellation Policy: Free cancellations for bookings cancelled with the operator before 48 hours of your chosen activity date. Guest cancellations within 48-24 hours to tour departure will incur a 50% loss of the tour fare. Guest cancellations within 24 hours of tour departure or failure to take up a tour for any reason will result in 100% forfeiture of the tour fare. No refunds will be made for any absence from the tour.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions for Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Can I bring luggage on board the bus?
The touring vehicles have minimal storage space, so any more than a small day pack is undesirable. Large bags, prams & strollers cannot be stored on board. If you need to bring along any more than this, please be sure to let the tour operator know at the time of booking, as it may be necessary to purchase an extra seat to accommodate your luggage.
- Is much physical activity involved?
A moderate level of physical mobility is required.
- How many penguins will I see?
The number of birds arriving on the beach varies significantly throughout the year due to seasonal factors. The penguin’s year is divided into four different “seasons”: February-April: Moulting; May-July: Nest Building; August-October: Egg Laying; November-January: Chick Feeding.
- Can I hold a koala on this tour?
Koala handling is not included on this tour. You will, however, still see these furry little guys in their habitats at Moonlit Sanctuary. From here, you will also be able to take photos of them munching away on eucalyptus or sleeping throughout the day!
