Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip with Koalas from Melbourne
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Start your afternoon the best way possible with a visit to the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, where elevated boardwalks wind through native bushland giving you the chance to spot koalas resting in the treetops.
From here, discover the natural beauty of Phillip Island as you take in rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, and sweeping ocean views. Visit The Nobbies, where dramatic clifftop scenery meets crashing waves, and keep an eye out for penguin burrows, and Australian fur seals offshore.
As sunset approaches, prepare for cuteness overload at the world-famous Penguin Parade. Home to over 32,000 Little Penguins, this unforgettable wildlife experience sees hundreds—sometimes thousands—of the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the surf and waddle up the beach to their burrows. Watch this spectacle unfold at Summerland Beach and explore the interactive Visitor Centre to learn about penguin conservation before returning to Melbourne with memories to last a lifetime.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child fare prices apply to infants and children aged from 0 to 12 years old. Children aged 0 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times.
While we endeavour to operate our tours as planned, there may be occasions when rain or inclement weather affects our itinerary.
This tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, prams, or strollers. If you require additional support please advise at the time of booking.
What To Expect
Melbourne
Get ready—our adventure begins soon! The bus is on its way, so grab your gear, feel the excitement, and let's hit the road!
Phillip Island Nature Parks - Koala Conservation Reserve
Our wildlife adventure begins at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, the perfect first stop for animal lovers. Here, you’ll have the chance to stroll along picturesque boardwalk trails that weave through lush natural woodlands. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for koalas nestled in the trees—these iconic marsupials are a must-see!
Options
Penguins General Viewing
Abundance of Wildlife: Up-close encounters with Koalas and penguins! Duration: 10 hours Medium group size: Our modern vehicles range from 24-39 seats with air conditioning and seat belts designed for long-haul comfort. Tour + General Viewing Access: A day tour to Phillip Island showcasing a Koala Park, and Penguin Parade with general viewing access.
Penguins Plus Viewing
Abundance of Wildlife: Up-close encounters with Koalas and penguins! Duration: 10 hours Medium group size: Our modern vehicles range from 24-39 seats with air conditioning and seat belts designed for long-haul comfort. Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing: The Penguins Plus viewing platform offers visitors up-close viewing of the little penguins on popular pathway highway.
What‘s Included
Multilingual translation app service available in several languages
Admission to Penguin Parade (general viewing or penguins plus viewing upgrade)
Travel comfortably in a modern, air-conditioned medium-sized coach and onboard wifi
Experience world-class wildlife encounters up close
Hosted by an experienced driver guide with live tour commentary
Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
Any meals not indicated within the itinerary - at the guest’s own expense.
Spending money for personal items
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
264 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
So much wildlife!
tinatC4431CK,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun experience. The penguins were so cute and our tour guide Craig was the best, and so knowledgable. He was able to answer all of my questions. I enjoyed the bus ride, we spotted kangaroos, wallaby’s, Phalangeridae, camels, and so many birds, not to mention the koala, and penguins. We saw great views, surfers and got tons of memorable photos. Highly recommend this tour! The bus had wifi and usb charger ports under the seat, and we were able to eat and snack during the ride which was a bonus!
A Worthy Experience Especially With a Great Guide
mailwbc,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a perfect sunny, warm weather day to enjoy the trip which was made all that much better by all of the great cultural insights and trip tips given by our fantastic guide Fiona. She’s probably presented all the information a million times before but still was able to do it all again with the enthusiasm and spirit of sharing it as if it was the first time which it was for everyone onboard…much better than someone sounding robotic and just going through the motions. Fiona also did a great job of organizing everyone to stay on time so all of the itinerary stops were fitted in with a comfortable relaxed manner. At the end of the trip we were left with many memories of the koalas, penguins, wallabies, puggle, and fantastic landscape and water views experienced. And most importantly, Fiona got us all home safe and sound and left us all with a very relaxed, trouble free experience.
We enjoyed the bus trip,...
Tracy K,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We enjoyed the bus trip, but unfortunately was very disappointed with the Penguin viewing. Lucky to see 20
Excellent day out to see the koalas, wallabies and penguins
patb912leeds,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Fiona was very organised, professional, friendly and full of knowledge. Thank you Fiona for making this trip exceptional, you are a great guide. We started boarded the bus by the Immigration Museum which is so easy to find. It is quite a drive to Phillip Island but well worth it. The coach was comfortable and had free wfi. Fiona explained things on the way (unless we were on the motorway then she couldn't speak). We spent 1 hr at the Koala Conservation area. Plenty of Koalas Wallabies to see. We made a stop at Cape Woolamai Beach, gorgeous, spectactular views. Stopped off at Cowes for 1 hr for lunch, plenty of cafe's, restaurants. The Nobbies Centre is really good. Walking on the boardwalks to see the little penguins under them. Different viewing decks. After that we set off to get in position for the penguin parade. The best viewing areas are sitting on the beach. You can only use cameras until it gets dark then no cameras are allowed but you always have those who don't listen! Taking advice from Fiona, after seeing a few penguins coming up the beach head off back towards the exit, stay left on the boardwalk and you will get a great, close up view of the penguins waddling up to their burrows. It gets really busy in that area. Fantastic day out, thank you Fiona for being so organised and sharing your knowledge with us.
Great experience.
W8227HAinnak,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed the trip. The driver was very nice and told a lot during the trip. The trip was well organized.
Please make note that...
MacKenzie O,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Please make note that Wildlife Tours Australia and Autopia are the same company when meeting to get on the bus. I was waiting there for about 20 minutes while everyone was getting on their tour buses and I asked 2 other operators if the Wildlife Tours bus was coming and they said it should be and to just wait there. Another family also booked the same tour/company and was waiting. It wasn’t until the tour guide for Autopia started naming off our names and told us to get on those buses. Unfortunately that meant I was the last one on the bus in the back row and I get motion sickness. Sadly no one would trade with me though. Thankfully I brought snacks and water, motion sickness patches and Dramamine. I would advise the company to be more clearer for the meet up! Since I was one of the first people waiting, I could have not been in the back of the bus. This tour was great and Phillips Island was beautiful. There weren’t too many penguins sadly. I think I would have preferred a small group of 10 rather than 39 people on one big bus. We couldn’t even hear the tour guide in the back of the bus either.
I wasted my 12 hours for...
Irmina A,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I wasted my 12 hours for this tour! Such a long drive and saw only less than 10 Penguins. We waited too long on the Grand stand and it wasn’t even a parade of Penguins….so frustrating. One good thing, we had a very knowledgeable Tour Guide. The Italian restaurant was really good plus the Aldi nearby for some snacks.
An adventure!
Robert E,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Weather can be unpredictable! Be prepared with layers. The parade of penguins was less than spectacular. Since this was an end of summer event we had to wait until it was dark to watch the penguins appear. Many hundreds of people, maybe a few hundred penguins scattered along the beach. Koala sightings was were earlier in the trip. Weather rainy & cold, tour company can’t control that, we saw several Koalas. Dinner stop was in town of Cowes. Not too many choices since the town appears to close by 6:pm. Our tour guide was nice however her microphone wasn’t working properly & often what she was saying was hard to understand what she was saying. Still giving it four stars because it was an interesting adventure!
Penguins and so much more!
Margaret H,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great day out from Melbourne. Late return, to work with the timing to see the penguins after sun set.
Great experience to see the little penguins, but for short time reserved for them and other stops on the trip
HelleH 12,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a great trip with a lovely and very informative guide. She definitely seemed local. The little hick-ups we had on the trip, which means we can't give 5 stars, definitely due to the pickup. We were there 1⁄2 hour before departure, and there arrived 2 buses with large green letters Atopia. We asked if we were going with them, but we were referred to wait. There were no other suppliers so we asked 3 times, but was rejected. When departure time had passed, we were contacted by Wildlife Tours, who wanted to know if we were about to arrive. We said the bus had not arrived yet, but it turned out to be one of those buses from Atopia that had rejected us several times. It also meant that we got the worst seats in the entire bus, despite the fact that we had been there for a long time. It would be a good idea if Wildlife tours were on the bus. The other thing was that there was too short time set off for the spec.pingvines and dinner. Good idea to start earlier and switch on some of the different stops.
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Operated by Wildlife Tours Australia