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
174 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nature’s Cutest Parade
Ann L,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Nature’s cutest parade. Beautiful experience to see those penguins coming out from sea. Our tour driver, Chris was awesome.
Beautiful day out to see the little penguins.
lkyo,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Bob, our driver was quite entertaining. He gave a bit of the history of the island and how the penguins’s natural habitat was almost destroyed but eventually through local and government efforts to buy back lands, the penguins population began to increase again. We were lucky that the weather was very good and was not very cold at all. We got to see these little penguins made their way out of the water and waddled their way back to their burrows.
Philip island penguin parade
Scenic43420885978,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bob took us on a tour and went to see the zoo, and penguines, and a lot of beaches. He was funny, respectful, and nice. We saw a lot, and we learned a lot too, from bob. I like bob 🙂
It was good tour. Recommended. Bob was friendly and patient.
540jalilc,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Bob Tour leader is very friendly and patient safe drive. Highly recommend to visit Melbourne. Go and experience. I liked it. Adelaide group
Little Penguins
Scott M,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was great to see the little penguins in their natural surroundings but don’t think people should be allowed to view on the beach this encourages people to move around & disturb & frighten the penguins. In addition I do not think advisable that you should be allowed to eat food at the event it encourages seagulls who just fly continuously over us.
Very much enjoyable Philips Island trip
54kell,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour guide Mr. David N is very helpful and experienced. He provided a lot of useful information and advice throughout the whole trip and guided us to take a good view to the penguins and other Aussie animals. The tour bus is comfortable and equipped with free wifi, good enough for the day trip. Although there is a bit of rain during middle of the trip, the view is good and the penguin and wallaby are cute.
See the penguins at Phillip Island with Go West and have one of the best experiences of your life!
Graham W,,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of nature’s wonders, and a must see opportunity whilst you’re in Melbourne. Judging by the number of coaches in the car park, there are multiple operators taking groups to see the cute little penguins at Phillip Island, but we had the best time with Go West, mostly because of our wonderful driver & guide, Bob. He was not only very well informed, he was also very welcoming, charming and funny! He even gave us useful guidance on the choices of restaurant in Cowes, and how to get the best out of our time watching the penguins on their nightly ritual. If you get Bob as your guide, you can count yourself very lucky.
Must do experience
bryanpQ7812ZE,,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00If you are in this part of Australia it's a trip you must do. Being so up close to wild life is always an experience worth having.
Great tour, a ton of fun, penguins did not disappoint
BarrioTravelers,,Jun 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the highlights of our two weeks in Australia. Our guide, driver and DJ was Cloe. What a great person she is. Cloe made the two-hour drive fun and educational. We learned a ton about Melbourne and of course, the penguins, from her. She schooled us on what to expect and how to get the most of our experience. Cloe literally walked our group into the area and helped us get the best seats, right on the beach for optimum viewing. You'll sit on bleachers that have been built at strategic spots near the water. Seeing the little penguins coming out of the surf is truly magical. But most of the up-close viewing happens away from the beach, on walkways built next to paths taken by the penguins as they climb the bluff beyond the beach on their way to their burrows. It's too bad many visitors don't adhere to the rules and turn off their cell-phone cameras. It's not allowed as it hurts the penguins' eyes, the lights/flash that is. Many disregard this order as there's not enough staff members to get everyone to comply. This tour is worth doing, especially if you get someone as personable and fun as Cloe. We even started talking astronomy as we got ready to depart the area, she pointed out the Milky Way, which looked amazing on this clear night. Since we were raised and still live in a large metropolitan area in Southern California with lots of lights, we had never seen it. An unexpected highlight for sure.
memorable
Rene C,,Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00it's exciting to see those little penguins walk towards their habitat, they are all cute, it's a memorable experience
From A$135.00
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Operated by Bunyip Tours