- 1 DAY
- PRICE $ 129 - 165 AUD
- DEPARTS 11:45 winter / 13:45 summer
- RETURNS 21:45 winter / 23:45 summer
Join us for a wildlife phenomenon onboard our Phillip Island tour from Melbourne – Penguin Parade! Observe these cute Australian animals waddling across the moonlit sand back home, seals lazing on the rugged shores, and koalas sleeping in their eucalyptus dreams amongst ancient woodlands. Find out more about Phillip Island and the important conservation work taking place here! Our tour is a popular attraction and one of Victoria’s must-see places, ideal for families, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Highlights
- Watch hundreds of the penguins coming ashore at sunset
- Enjoy a summer evening at the Penguin Parade from Summerland Beach
- Visit Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
- Explore The Nobbies Centre at Seal Rocks with cliff-top walks
- Get to know about conservation concerning native wildlife as well as the Penguin Parade Visitor Center
- Discover Phillip Island’s spectacular coastline
Details
- Tour Code: PI-B
- Operates: Daily
- Departs: 13:45 pm (Oct to Mar) / 11:45 am (Apr to Sep)
- Returns: 23:45 pm (Oct to Mar) / 21:45 pm (Apr to Sep)
- Duration: 9.5 hours
- Hosted by an informative tour guide.
- Modern air-conditioned coach travel.
- General viewing entry fee to Penguin Parade.
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points.
What you can actually see
Full Itinerary
One of Melbourne’s top day trip destinations is the famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Prepare yourself for a captivating experience on our tour of Phillip Island, which features more than just the nightly penguin march. The show’s star has always been the world’s smallest penguins, known as Little Penguins, performing their daily waddle from the sea.
Koala Conservation Reserve
Our experience begins with a one-hour forty-five-minute drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island. At Koala Reserve, take a stroll through woodland to learn about koalas, their habitat conditions, and the history of the reserve.
Explore Phillip Island
From the reserve, Phillip Island is a sanctuary of 10,000 hectares, which houses over one hundred animal species. You can visit the settlements at Cape Woolamai (and Cape Woolamai Beach), New Haven and Cowes. We usually stop in Cowes, where you can also explore the coastal town, enjoy the incredible views with its unique shops, and dine at local restaurants.
Phillip Island Nature Park
Sandy beaches and rugged cliffs highlight this beautiful landscape as well as the exotic Aussie wildlife on Phillip Island. There are about 32,000 Little Penguins that have found their home here.
Nobbies and Seal Rocks
The Nobbies Rocks – take a walk along boardwalk optional to see the rugged coastline and penguin burrows.
Nobbies Center: Located at Phillip Island, the Nobbies Center has amazing coastal views and many encounters with wildlife. This centre is highly advanced in interpreting marine animals—one of a kind on the entire island.
Seal Rocks: Right next to Nobbies Centre stands Seal Rocks, which has Australia’s largest fur seal colony. From the walks at Nobbies Rock, you can see these funny creatures come out of the water and sunbathe along the rugged cliffs and rocks.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Our journey takes us along the back roads of the island to get to Penguin Parade. At sunset Little Penguins come back from fishing during day time through waddle up to beach and then go into their burrows. Observe this magical moment live via the Penguin Parade Visitor Center!
Lifetime Memories
Penguin Behavior
They often cluster together in groups called “rafts” when they come ashore and swim towards shore. For many tourists, watching social interaction with others, as well as meticulous preening and waddling, are highlights of their visit.
Conservation and Education
Phillip Island Nature Parks, which manages Penguin Parade, is a non-profit organization committed to protecting Australian wildlife and environmental assets found on this island. Their habitat preservation programs are instrumental in preserving both penguins and various bird species’ habitats. While there, you can also interact with live exhibits at Penguin Parade Visitor Centre that teach about the biology of these birds, including behaviour aspects as well as matters relating to their conservation efforts.
*Note: Because daylight savings is observed in Victoria, departure times may change during different times of year for optimal sunset viewing
Additional information
Inclusions
- Entry to the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve
- Close-up encounters with local wildlife
- Accompanied by a knowledgeable driver-guide
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach transport
- Detailed commentary on local attractions
- Pickup and drop-off at specified locations in inner-city Melbourne
Exclusions
- Meals not outlined in the itinerary are at the guest’s expense
- Strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance
- Transfers to and from hotels to the designated pickup points
- Personal expenditures
Pickup times and locations Winter | Summer
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45 (winter) / 13:45 (summer).
- 11:05 or 13:05 : Pegasus Apartments Hotel, located at 206 A'Beckett Street in Melbourne
- 11:10 or 13:10 : Melbourne Marriott Hotel, situated at the corner of Exhibition Street and Lonsdale Street in Melbourne
- 11:15 or 13:15 : Space Hotel, found at 380 Russell Street in Melbourne
- 11:20 or 13:20 : Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Russell Street entrance in Melbourne
- 11:30 or 13:30 : Adina Apartment Hotel, located at 189 Queen Street in Melbourne
- 11:35 or 13:35 : The Savoy Hotel, situated at 630 Little Collins Street in Melbourne
- 11:45 or 13:45 : Immigration Museum, located at 400 Flinders Street, on the corner of Market Street in Melbourne
- 11:50 or 13:50 – Crown Towers - 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
If you are still looking for your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a comprehensive list of sites.
It is highly advisable to arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please remain calm and patient if your bus runs a few minutes behind schedule. If your bus has not arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled departure time, kindly contact our office at 03 9393 1300.
Discover the private tour groups! Reach out to our incredible charters team at [email protected] to unlock unforgettable adventures.
Need to bring
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- The minimum age requirements for this tour is 6 years old. This trip is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
FAQ
What should I wear for the tour?
It is better to dress warmly because evenings can be cold but also consider wearing comfortable shoes for walking while on boardwalk trails
Can I take photos during the Penguin Parade?
To protect their sensitive eyes, photography is prohibited during Penguin Parade.
Is the Phillip Island tour suitable for children?
Yes, it’s a family-friendly day trip that suits all ages of kids.
Does the price include meals?
No, food can be purchased at Cowes or at any time in Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.
What if the weather conditions are bad?
The tour runs all year long in any weather, and please bring appropriate clothing to be prepared for any weather conditions.
