Phillip Island Penguin Parade Express Tour from Melbourne
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
In just one extraordinary day, experience two of Victoria’s top wildlife attractions: the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, with one of Australia's largest colony of fur seals; and the nightly Penguin Parade, where little penguins pop out of the water and waddle across the beach to their burrows.
At the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, the clifftop boardwalk opens up breathtaking views of Phillip Island’s wild south coast, and there are further lookout points among natural sea bird gardens which have spectacular flowering displays in spring.
Then witness Victoria’s largest colony of little penguins in the nightly Penguin Parade. As dusk falls, hundreds of little penguins splash out of the water onto the beach, making their way to their burrows. They feed at sea and return to their burrows to mate, care for their young and to moult.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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
WiFi on board
Friendly & informative tour guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
General Viewing
Reviews
187 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
She was an angel
paulgJ2752JF,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved it! You were great and so was your singing.
Very very few penguins in late feb.
Amit K,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Cloe was a great tour guide. And the tour itself is fun but during my visit i.e. late February there were hardly any penguins. I was traveling with friends who were locals and they said typically its a minimum of 400 penguins and as high as 32000 in one night. People over at the Milawul island knew about it when I asked the staff over there. I felt cheated that they knew about it and yet sold tickets. They could've just told people not to come or refunded their money.
Not the tour for the Penguin Parade
Justin R,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The experience was 9 hours, 2:45pm - 11:45pm. We spent a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes at the penguin parade. We spent 30 minutes at a beach to watch surfers, 45 minutes at a nice boardwalk and then we scouted the Penguin Parade and were told where to the best seats were for when we enter. And then… we went to a town for dinner! Not the Penguin Parade, but a 1 hour trip so people could enjoy a nice dinner. We brought our dinner as to not miss any time with the penguins. The Penguin Parade facility has restaurants… they could have let those that wanted to spend time with the penguins, visit the center, go to the gift shop, enjoy the actual tour location. Instead we arrived as one of the last tour buses and had to hustle to the viewing area and all the good seats were taken. We were so late… it was so unacceptable. We just didn’t have enough time with the entire reason for the trip! A nice dinner out was more important than the penguins. The only reason the tour gets two stars is the guide was energetic, kind and did a great job outside of the itinerary.
The best Philip Island Tour
T7550MSjosephs,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a lovely and truly memorable trip — one we will never forget, especially as it was our first visit to Phillip Island. These wonderful memories were created thanks to Angel Sophie, who really lived up to her name by hosting us with the care of an angel and the warmth of a mother. She kept everyone engaged throughout the entire journey, offering clear guidance and distinct instructions that made the experience smooth, enjoyable, and successful. Many thanks to Angel Sophie for making our trip so special.
Lovely day out, should limit the number of visitors
carolhF7790JW,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Mel, our guide was brilliant, lovely with the children, very informative and made us laugh. However crowd control for the guides was a nightmare, instructions were not followed which made the experience very frustrating. Quite simply sit down & no cameras! My recommendation SIT ON THE SAND AWAY FROM STUPID PEOPLE, NOT THE SEATING AREA!
Great guide, incredible wildlife spectacle
V8461HRstefanos,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alisha was brilliant, lifted our spirits after a tough day and wow, what a beautiful spectacle the Penguin parade was
It’s a beautiful !
M6885ISmarym,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Our Guide Angel was the jewel in the 👑 n this tour she was wonderful very informative sndso much fun . The afternoon just flew . Unfortunately it was very busy on Feb 14 and we were unable to get Penguin + tickets. We saw about a dozen penguins and they were so cute. Many of the tourists however were using flash photography and this was most annoying as flash photography not allowed.
Enjoyable
854yongc,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very cheerful and happy experience with our tour guide Angel Sophia.
Penguin parade
Kathleen G,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a very long day, but definitely worth it to see the penguins. Our guide also took us to several other places on the way that were very interesting.
Penguin Parade
Paul R,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time with Angel Our guide. The trip was so much more than we expected. 2 stops at beautiful beaches along the way before we got to the penguins. Highly recommended
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Operated by Bunyip Tours