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Phillip Island Penguin Parade: A One-Day Wildlife Tour from Melbourne
4.7
160 Ratings
Melbourne
Experience the thrill of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and explore the stunning Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Witness little penguins waddling across the beach and enjoy breathtaking views of the wild south coast.
Experience the thrill of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and explore the stunning Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Witness little penguins waddling across the beach and enjoy breathtaking views of the wild south coast.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Nobbies - Views of Phillip Island’s rugged south coast and home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony.
- Phillip Island Nature Parks - Penguin Parade - World famous Penguin Parade. Enjoy the brand new visitors centre and learn about the daily lives of the Little Penguins. Take a stroll along the paths and boardwalks trying to spot a…
- The Nobbies - Views of Phillip Island’s rugged south coast and home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony.
- Phillip Island Nature Parks - Penguin Parade - World famous Penguin Parade. Enjoy the brand new visitors centre and learn about the daily lives of the Little Penguins. Take a stroll along the paths and boardwalks trying to spot a Penguin who may have stayed behind from the days fishing and is snuggled up in their burrow. As dusk falls, watch as bands of Penguins come ashore and waddle up Summerland Beach.
What's Included
- General viewing entry fees at the Penguin Parade
- Park Entry Fees
- On-board WiFi
- Friendly & informative tour guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- General viewing entry fees at the Penguin Parade
- Park Entry Fees
- On-board WiFi
- Friendly & informative tour guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Spend an exceptional day visiting two of the prime wildlife points of interest in Victoria: the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, which houses one of Australia’s most populous fur seal colonies; and the evening Penguin Parade, an event where tiny penguins emerge from the water and amble along the beach, working their way to their burrows.
At the Nobbies and Seal…
Spend an exceptional day visiting two of the prime wildlife points of interest in Victoria: the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, which houses one of Australia’s most populous fur seal colonies; and the evening Penguin Parade, an event where tiny penguins emerge from the water and amble along the beach, working their way to their burrows.
At the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, the cliffside boardwalk provides panoramic views of Phillip Island’s rugged southern coastline, and there are additional viewing areas within unique bird gardens that show off vibrant floral displays in the spring season.
Next, observe Victoria’s biggest group of little penguins at the Penguin Parade each evening. As twilight descends, hundreds of tiny penguins surge out of the ocean onto the beach, migrating to their burrows. They forage at sea and return to their burrows for mating, parenting and moulting activities.
- Photography and video are NOT PERMITTED at the Penguin Parade
- Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board
- This tour returns to Melbourne at approximately 9pm-12am depending on the season
Location
Flinders Street & Market Street
Please wait at the corner of Flinders & Market Streets, next to the Immigration Museum. **Please do not wait at the front entry of the Museum**
- Pickup is at 1:45pm if travelling during non-daylight savings times, AEST.
- Pickup is at 2:45pm if travelling during daylight savings time, AEDT.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(160 Ratings)
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A2837ztcrystala
Apr 27, 2025
Short and sweet tour! - If you only have a solo purpose and are after something not too full-on, this express tour is for you. I was 29-week pregnant and this trip is just perfect for me in term of amount of activity.
James was amazing! He kept us entertained by telling histroy about Australia and Melbourne. And he really is an expert on the topic of penguins! I love his enthusiasm. He also shared useful tips so that we could make the most out of the parade. Thank you GoWest, thank you James :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amruta_p
Apr 25, 2025
Great experience! - Excellent experience!
We loved seeing the little penguins. The weather was terrible, but everything else totally made up for it.
Special shoutout to our incredible tour guide and driver James C! We were traveling with our whole family with kids and grandma- he took very good care of us. We liked all the stories about Australia, Philip island and the food recommendations. He was also very kind to drop us off very close to our hotel to make our journey very very comfortable.
10/10 would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Tammyjewel628
Apr 15, 2025
The Penquin Parade is a must see and the tour was great...no worries about driving~ - This is a great tour. Easy to find at the Bus station:We followed instructions. They were in constant contact. Our Tour Guide Justin was the best. He was fairly new, but he grew up there, so he knew all the history. It's a 2 hour bus ride there and 2 hours back, but the bus had a bathroom. Seats comfy, but some noise in the back where we were (maybe take a look at this), but I had earplugs so...We went to several other places besides the Penguin Parade. We ate and shopped at Cowes, then on to Parade site. We went past there to see the Wallabies and we saw quite a few. We even saw a few penguins. Then the Penguin Parade. So worth it ~ There are several shops and a restaurant there, but I'd recommend eating at Cowes, so you can just shop and then get on to get a good seat to see the Penguins. It's a bit of a walk but I did ok, so it's doable. They did take some people down on a golf cart, so that's obviously an option.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tommu3751hk
Apr 12, 2025
Great trip to Philips island - Our driver and guide- Mel, thoroughly entertained us all day and enriched a very pleasant day trip, which took in a number of interesting sights. Unfortunately the penguins were in moulting season so instead of seeing 000’s of penguins we only saw a few dozen. Best to check if that is your main reason for taking the tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eick1deb
Apr 5, 2025
So cute! - Simon was a great guide - very informative and good driver. Plenty of time to walk the boardwalk at The Nobbies, then safari trip to the Penguin parade. Weather turned wet and windy but was till a great experience. Bus was comfortable for the long trip. Would happily travel on another tour when next in Melbourne.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debra_e
Apr 4, 2025
Simon was a great guide,... - Simon was a great guide, safe driver and informative. Tour left on time and Simon provided information along the way. Only 14 on the tour, maximum was 24 so we had room to spread out on the bus. Despite the afternoon traffic and slightly longer journey time we still had plenty of time to walk along the boardwalk and explore the shop at The Nobbies. Simon showed us the viewing area for the parade and best place and time to sit. We had eaten before the start of the tour so didn’t need to buy food at the information centre. There were long queues. Gift shops had plenty of selections. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate as it started to rain and was windy as the penguins came ashore, luckily we were prepared. Simon had allowed plenty of time for us to view the penguins before having to rejoin the bus for the trip back to Melbourne. We were dropped off closer to our hotel in the way home as it was around 11pm. Would happily do another tour with GoWest as they were very professional.
Review provided by Viator
K2156cvjuliek
Apr 1, 2025
Great touring excellent - It was an excellent trip to the island. We had losts of informative commentary on the way and at the site itself. Our tour guide, Chris H, was a very good host and very accommodating. I would recommend again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolineop3293vw
Mar 23, 2025
Penguins on Parade! - We did the Phillip Island Penguins trip. Our driver and guide, Aleks, did a really fabulous job. She drove safely and kept us informed about details of the trip. It was lovely that she came along to the penguins and gave us guidance and information on the boardwalk. Aleks was also very accommodating in dropping people off at the end of the tour. I'd go on a trip with her again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
292eviel
Mar 22, 2025
Great!! - Lovely tour, SO worth it!! Our guide, Bluey, was just amazing, can’t thank him enough for going above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maomaow2017
Apr 21, 2025
Cute penguins parade - The overall trip was wonderful, and seeing the penguins as promised was a true highlight. The location itself was stunning, and the unique opportunity to observe these amazing creatures up close was unforgettable.
However, the experience was unfortunately marred by the behavior of the tour guide. He left us waiting in the rain, showing a lack of consideration for our comfort. When I asked a simple question to clarify whether this was the location for the penguin parade, his response was shockingly rude and unprofessional. Rather than patiently answering, he condescendingly lectured me, questioning if I had been listening or just playing with my phone. His unwillingness to repeat or explain the information left me feeling disrespected and frustrated.
While the penguins were spectacular, the poor attitude of the guide diminished the enjoyment of the tour. I hope the organization considers training their staff to be more respectful and accommodating to guests in the future. It’s such a shame to pair a great experience with such irresponsible and dismissive behavior.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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