What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Fabulous choice of trip to see Koalas, Wallabies, Galahs, and those gorgeous little PENGUINS

  priscillagH2447GR,,Feb 12, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  From the moment we got on the bus until we left it around midnight we had a great time and loved our cheeky Chappie driver who had fun facts and a very amusing sense of humour. Though we've seen koalas before, it was delightful to meet them at the Sanctuary and to hear and see a variety of birds too. We didn't feel hurried or feel we were spending too long anywhere. He gauged everything perfectly and kept everyone counted at each stop to ensure no stragglers were missed. Of course our highlight was going to view the Penguins as they came to shore for bedtime. I'm glad we booked for the Penguin plus which gave us the chance to be comfortable on the platform. My only disappointment was in my fellow travellers not from our specific group, who very pointedly ignored every single polite request NOT TO USE THEIR CAMERAS! It's infuriating when there are sections of society who decide their wishes override the health & wellbeing of the little creatures they've come to see. I feel for all the wonderful staff there who are trying to ensure the enjoyment of visitors coupled with the welfare of the various animals. I believe a zero tolerance is necessary to shake these selfish individuals out of their disrespect of those creatures they've supposedly come to enjoy. Make one single announcement at the entry to the penguins Parade (they do make one in several languages) stating no cameras or mobiles or any other device, & that anyone spoken to after this announcement, has one chance. If spotted again they should be escorted out of the Parade to their transport home NO EXCEPTIONS❗️ Going by our experience that would halve spectators and send a clear message but unfortunately these lovely people who have a wealth of knowledge to impart, are mainly very kind volunteers and staffing isn't sufficient to police these selfish individuals deliberately ignoring pleas which are founded on real concern for the Penguins welfare! Despite this, I'd go back ina heartbeat and in reality once you make your way back, quite a lot of the penguins are hanging back as it's their time to gather together and mingle after they could have been out for a week or so and this is their homecoming so like us, they'd be catching up with their mates

• Awesome natural experience !

  francoisl157,,Feb 12, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Very friendly and knowledgeable driver . It was a good day to see Wallabees . Saw many penguins !

• Koalas and penguins

  635markj,,Feb 10, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  The tour operator (Autopia) was great, clear pick up arrangements, conformable coach, engaging and knowledgeable driver guide The koala sanctuary was also great and Nobbir's Point also good It was a treat to see the penguons in the Penguin Parade but it has been overcommercialisd leading to the rules on photography being openly floated and the second phase of pensions going up the hill through a narrow and strongly lit channel really uncomfortable to see

• Penguin Plus experience

  Elizabeth S,,Feb 10, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  From start to finish it was an AMAZING experience. Thee was a knowledgeable and professional driver/guide. The koalas were up close and personal and the penguins…well no words can describe the Penguin Plus encounter. WOW!

• The good, the bad and the ugly

  kathleenh324,,Feb 10, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  While the destination is worthwhile, seeing koalas, lovely scenery and the highlight, watching the penguins returning from the ocean to their burrows in the cliffs, communication of the trip details, the physical transportation and the narration were inadequate. First, the website suggested we’d return around 10pm, but after boarding the bus we were told we wouldn’t get back until after midnight. I understand that this is because the penguins exit from the ocean depends on the time of sunset, but this should be clearly communicated in the online trip description. Next, the bus had just 1 phone charging port. With a busload of 39 persons and a trip that is 11 hours long with 2 hours travel time EACH WAY, keeping one’s phone charged was a challenge. This wouldn’t be so bad if there was interesting narration during the drive, but there wasn’t. Rather the driver talked to 2 women seated in the front of the bus THE ENTIRE TRIP. It seems other reviewers were pleased with the narrative so I suspect they had a different group leader. Our leader was a very nice man, seemed to care deeply about the animals we saw and was good with one on one communication but seemed unskilled in leading a tour group. With coaching I think he will be quite capable. I recommend visiting the penguin parade (be sure to pay the extra for the Penguin Plus viewing ticket) and the koala sanctuary, but I’d go with a different tour provider….one that explains that return times depend o. the time of sunset. If Autopia works to fine tune their tour with better buses, better training for their guides and more accurate details about the trip on their website I could then recommend their services.

• Don't miss!

  StephenHMD95,,Feb 9, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This is one of the highlights of our days in Melbourne. We saw 175+ penguins come out of the water. We saw 2 enchidnas. We saw 250+ wallabies. Great scenery on the ocean. Wonderful visit. The guided penguin tour is well worth it if you can get a spot. The front row seating in the special platform was great. The ranger guide was well informed and added to the experience.

• Penguins parade

  thomas w,,Feb 4, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Vicky was very informative and had a light airy personality. She answered all our questions and more. We had plus tickets and highly recommend them. This was a once in a lifetime experience.

• Perfect day to do the afternoon Penguin Parade tour from Melbourne.

  Martinn95,,Feb 4, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Everything went smoothly and time was managed efficiently to get all of us through the stages of the tour. Vicky drove and shared interesting information about the places we were going throughout to keep us well prepared and informed.

• Penguins were definitely the main act today

  Phil H,,Feb 4, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Trip to Phillip Island with Vicky as guide felt relaxed, well organised and personal. Wildlife as predicted. Penguins the highlight. Thank you

• Amazing tour

  GlobeTrotting573836,,Feb 3, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Fiona is the best guide we could ever had and gave us the best advice to have an amazing experience in the penguins. Really lovely and you can tell she loves her job.

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