Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour from Melbourne
Overview
This Phillip Island day trip from Melbourne is built around the Penguin Parade, when little penguins waddle ashore at dusk. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD, along with a live guide and all entrance fees, including the Parade. On the way you visit the Brighton Beach Boxes, meet koalas and kangaroos at a wildlife park and walk the Nobbies Boardwalk. It is a long, shared coach day that suits families and first-time visitors who want Phillip Island's best sights without driving after dark.
Highlights
- Watch little penguins come ashore at dusk at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Photograph the colourful Brighton Beach Boxes with the Melbourne skyline behind
- Meet koalas, kangaroos and other native animals at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Walk the Nobbies Boardwalk for sea cliffs, blowholes and Seal Rocks views
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Melbourne CBD hotels
- Live guide and all entrance fees, including the Penguin Parade, included
Full Description
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade
The Penguin Parade is the reason most visitors book a Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour from Melbourne. Each evening, at dusk, hundreds of little penguins, the smallest penguins in the world, come out of the surf at Summerland Beach and waddle across the sand to their burrows in the dunes.
The viewing platforms are built so you can watch without disturbing the birds, and rangers help explain what is happening. Photography and flash are not permitted, so simply enjoy the moment. Sunset time changes through the year, and nights can be cold and windy, so dress warmly for the wait.
Brighton Beach Boxes
The tour starts with a stop at Brighton Beach, where rows of brightly painted bathing boxes line the sand at Dendy Street. They are among the most photographed sights in Melbourne, and on a clear morning you can see the city skyline across Port Phillip Bay behind them.
It is a short stop, long enough for photographs and a stroll along the shore. You do not need to be an early riser, as pickup from your hotel is arranged around midday and the pace of the day is easy in the first hours, before the longer drive south to the island.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Moonlit Sanctuary is a bushland wildlife park on the Mornington Peninsula where you can meet koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, along with emus, dingoes and other Australian animals in natural surroundings. It is one of the easiest places to get close to native wildlife near Melbourne.
There is time to walk around, feed animals where allowed and buy lunch, which is not included. If you have always wanted a photograph with a koala or a kangaroo, this is the best stop of the day, and it makes the trip ideal for families with children.
Nobbies Boardwalk and Seal Rocks
On Phillip Island you visit the Nobbies, a rugged headland of basalt cliffs where the boardwalk leads to sea views, a blowhole and a lookout over Seal Rocks, where a large colony of fur seals lives. The wind can be strong here, but the scenery is dramatic in every weather.
The Nobbies Centre explains the marine wildlife and the geology of the coast. Phillip Island is about 140 kilometres from Melbourne, roughly two hours by road, which is why an organised day tour with a live guide is the easiest way to see it.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in the Melbourne CBDBe collected from one of six selected CBD hotels around midday, as your voucher shows.
- Brighton Beach BoxesStop for photographs of the colourful bathing boxes and the city skyline.
- Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation ParkMeet koalas, kangaroos and other animals, and buy lunch if you wish.
- Nobbies BoardwalkWalk the cliff-top boardwalk to see the blowhole and Seal Rocks.
- Phillip Island Penguin ParadeBuy dinner if you like, then watch the little penguins arrive at dusk.
- Return to MelbourneDrive back and be dropped off at your pickup location, arriving late in the evening.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD
- Live tour guide
- Entrance fees, including the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Wildlife stops for koalas and kangaroos
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Luggage or large bags
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Guests who cannot stand or walk short distances outdoors in cold weather
- Guests carrying luggage or large bags
- Guests who do not want a long day, as the tour returns late in the evening
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is included from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD, with six pickup locations. Your voucher shows your pickup point and time, and the tour returns you to the same location late in the evening.
Important information
- Wear warm clothes, a windproof jacket and comfortable shoes, even in summer
- Bring a charged smartphone and, if you like, headphones for the audio guide
- Bring an umbrella or rain jacket in case of wet weather
- Lunch and dinner are not included and can be bought on the way
- Photography and flash are not allowed at the Penguin Parade
- Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the coach
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour cost?
The price depends on the number of adults and children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD, with six pickup locations.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes, entrance fees are included, including the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
How long is the Penguin Parade day tour?
The tour lasts about 12 hours, starting around midday and returning late in the evening.
Is food included?
No, food and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch at the wildlife park and dinner before the Penguin Parade.
What time do the penguins arrive?
They come ashore at dusk, so the exact time depends on the season. Your guide confirms the timing on the day.
Can I take photos of the penguins?
Photography and flash are not permitted at the Penguin Parade. You can take photographs at other stops, including the Brighton Beach Boxes and Moonlit Sanctuary.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, families love the koalas, kangaroos and penguins. Child prices are shown in the booking panel, and children should be ready for a late night.
What should I wear?
Wear warm layers, a windproof jacket and comfortable shoes, because it can be cold and windy at the Penguin Parade at night.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, subject to availability. The booking panel shows the next available dates.
