Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne
Overview
Available languages
9 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Take in the spectacular Phillip Island Penguin Parade as you watch the colony of Little Penguins crosses the shoreline from the ocean. Heading out to Penguin Parade, we begin our day at a Koala Reserve to meet some furry Australian favourites. Take a tour and get up close and personal with our native Australian wildlife. Travel to Phillip Island Nature Parks, known for its natural beauty, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and unique wildlife experiences. The island is home to a colony of around 32,000 little penguins. Phillip Island Tour is one of the popular and must-watch tourist attractions in Victoria.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin.
Child and infant fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Child protective seats are free of charge, subject to availability and must be requested at time of booking.
Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person. Our vehicles are not wheelchair, prams or child stroller accessible please refrain from bring on tour.
Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Melbourne
Our coach will depart from Melbourne City and head southeast for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with our first stop being the Koala Conservation Reserve on Phillip Island.
Phillip Island Nature Parks - Koala Conservation Reserve
At the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island, guests will have 45 minutes to explore the lush surroundings and stroll along the elevated boardwalks that wind through the treetops. Here, you’ll have the chance to get up close to koalas in their natural habitat, spotting these iconic creatures as they rest in the eucalyptus trees. The knowledgeable staff will provide fascinating insights into the conservation efforts that protect these beloved animals. It's a peaceful and educational experience, offering fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Australia's wildlife.
What‘s Included
Experienced local driver guide to assist you throughout the day
Air-conditioned premium coach travel and comfort
Comprehensive live commentary in a fun and social atmosphere
Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
Admission to Phillip Island Nature Park with Penguin Parade (general viewing)
Meals not included, guests will have an opportunity to support locals and buy lunch along the way.
Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
Travel insurance is highly recommended
Personal expenses
Options
General Viewing Admission
Australian wildlife experience
Mid-range seat in coach travel
Duration: 9 hours: This tour operates on a seasonal departure schedule, pick up times change when daylight savings clocks are adjusted.
Roundtrip to & from Melbourne
24-seater Mitsubishi Rosa Bus: This vehicle makes for a safe & comfortable journey (air-conditioned), with large passenger windows for unobstructed views.
Reviews
804 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great
tracysJ708UY,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day visiting Koala Conservation & Penguin Parade, lovely lunch in Cowes. Fiona our driver was very friendly & knowledgeable on the places we visited & Melbourne. She went out of her way to make sure we had a good spot to see the penguins.
Beautiful Little Penguins and More
D5974STjonr,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fiona made the whole trip fun and relaxed. The koala conservation visit was fantastic and the little penguins were beautiful. Great trip.
Loved Pengiuns Parade with Fiona!!!!
W8639ORashleyc,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time with Fiona! Lovely and infectious personality, she always had a smile and is very friendly and always checked we had a good time once getting back on the bus. She also has great knowledge of wild life and good food suggestions. I would highly recommend any trip on Fiona’s bus and especially the Penguin Parade!! The tour was a good length with perfect amount of time at each location!
Fiona is the GOAT
benjaminfY5846PV,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Autopia Tours really are the best for Philips island tours. Fiona, my lovely tour guide was extremely knowledgeable on both the Koalas and the penguins. She not only knew a lot but explained it in a way that made it very easy to understand and enjoyable to listen to. Couldn’t recommend Autopia tours or Fiona as your guide more.
Koalas and Penguins Up Close
Kenneth L,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a long two hour drive from Melbourne, but our driver gave us lots of Australia information. The drive back is quite late(11:45 pm) You need the full day in Melbourne for this trip
Penguin Parade was marvelous
Y632CUpamh,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very long day, rainy. The penguins were marvelous. The trip could have been shorter. Spent too much time in Cowes. Could have spent more time at koala reserve. Penguin Plus worth it.
Don't miss out this tour!
Elaine H,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very pleasant journey. It was my first time entering Australia with my parents. We were lucky to have this tour guide, Sam Derrick from the UK, if I spelled his name correctly. He is a very nice, energetic, and caring guy. You could really feel his positive energy, and it made the whole trip very fun. He introduced a lot about Melbourne’s history, shared fun infos about koalas, and took us to many beautiful scenic spots where we took a lot of great photos. I would definitely recommend this tour to travelers traveling with friends, family, or a partner:)
Best Penguin Parade experience ever
437jackyw,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole experience was fantastic and Fiona ( our fantastic driver and guide) was brilliant and gave us the best tips to view the penguin parade, which we enjoyed so much!!!!
Koalas, Wallabys, and Little Penguins (+ other animals) along with some beautiful coastal views
Teaguean K,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was well organized and our guide, Joel, was knowledgeable, fun, and did a good job of keeping people organized (as best as he could with many non-English speaking folks on the tour). Overall a good experience and a fun trip to see the penguins. As one should expect, be prepared for coastal winds and rain.
Worth the money
charlottef258,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fiona was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and talked through some of the journey about the history of the places we visited. Getting picked up and dropped off was seamless and Fiona had some tips like when to go to the gift shops and what order to do things. The koala walk was great, we saw a few up close. Penguin island was great but make sure you take a coat.
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Operated by Autopia Tours