Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Wildlife Tour from Melbourne
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife experiences on a full-day journey from Melbourne to Phillip Island with Explore Australia Tours.
Travel in comfort on our small group tour aboard our purple bus, guided by a passionate local expert.
Visit Moonlit Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos and more in a natural bushland setting. Take in coastal views at Cape Woolamai (summer only) and enjoy a relaxed stop in Cowes.
Stroll the Nobbies Boardwalk for sweeping ocean views and wildlife spotting before the highlight of the day.
At sunset, watch hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore at the world-famous Penguin Parade.
With all entry tickets included, multilingual audio via our free app, and an eco-accredited focus, this is a seamless and unforgettable way to experience Victoria’s wildlife and coastal beauty.
This is a truly unique opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and wildlife!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Visit Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where you will encounter iconic Australian wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles and the elusive Tasmanian devil. Set within natural bushland, this immersive experience allows you to get closer to native animals while learning about vital conservation efforts. You may also have the opportunity to enjoy an up-close encounter with a koala or wallaby (additional cost applies).
Cape Woolamai
Feel the sand beneath your feet with a scenic stroll along Cape Woolamai Beach, one of Phillip Island’s most spectacular coastal locations. Known as a world-class surf beach, watch skilled surfers ride powerful waves while taking in sweeping ocean views and dramatic coastal scenery. (Time permitting)
Options
General Viewing
Pickup included
Tour Plus Penguins Pus
Penguin Plus Upgrade: Superb up-close viewing from the tiered seating in Penguins Plus. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Multilingual audio commentary via the Explore Australia app-based (code provided by your guide)
All National Park fees
Travel in modern air-conditioned vehicle
General entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Friendly and knowledgeable local guide
Selected Melbourne pick-up and drop-off
Entry into Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Small-group Phillip Island experience
Lunch is available to purchase at Moonlit Sanctaury
Dinner is available to purchase at Phillip Island
Snacks at own expense
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
160 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Time With a Knowledgeable Guide
Mike G,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Explore Australia, and a huge part of that was our guide, Stuart. From the moment the tour began, Stuart was friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about sharing Australia with his guests. He took us to Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies, the Penguin Parade, and several other beautiful locations throughout the day. At every stop, he made sure everyone was comfortable and never rushed us. He was always there when we returned, ready with more fascinating information and stories. What really set Stuart apart was his ability to bring Australia to life. He taught us about Australian culture, wildlife, history, and local customs, while also pointing out countless things we would have completely missed on our own. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he was consistently kind, gracious, and engaging throughout the entire tour. We have taken many guided tours over the years, and Stuart ranks among the very best guides we have ever had. The tour itself was fantastic, but Stuart's professionalism, warmth, and knowledge made it truly memorable. We loved every part of the experience and would happily do this tour again. Highly recommended!
Must Visit Experience. Do...
Kartik K,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Must Visit Experience. Do try it out. Mark was great at his work. An All-In-one person who handled everything well.
Had an amazing trip. Will book with anytime again.
Sri Lakshmi T,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second daytrip booking with them. Highly recommended tour agent. Absolutely amazing penguins and wildlife tour. Antony was our tour guide for Moonlit sanctuary experience. He is very professional , polite and cheerful.Very small group and comfortable bus. He explained to us clearly and gave us tips along the way. Me and my kids thoroughly enjoyed feeding the wallabies and ducks and Kengaroos. Very close encounters. Loved it. Saw cute koals. After half day we were combined with another group for Penguin island. Gina was our guide. She is very professional, explained about the wildlife , when to spot. Dos and donts. Stopped at places to get stunning philip island coastal views. Only small vehicles can reach these places. Always ask the guide what is the best place to sit for penguin viewing. Try not to miss the penguins coming out of the ocean. Amazing amazing experience. The little blue penguins are adorable. Prepare for cold winds as you will be seeing penguins after sunset. Walk around after a while to see penguins returning to their homes and interaction with each other. Absolutely loved the trip
Great Tour
Robin B,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great time on this tour. Stuart was very knowledgeable. Plenty of time at Moonlit Sanctuary and Penguin Parade station never felt rushed. Thoroughly recommend.
Great experience
Peter H,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An unforgettable wildlife experience and one of the best introductions to Australia we could have asked for. Moonlit Sanctuary gave us the opportunity to see and interact with Australian wildlife up close, while the Penguin Parade felt genuinely magical once the little penguins began returning ashore at sunset. The entire tour was very organized and balanced wildlife experiences with scenic stops throughout the day. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Michael was a wonderful tour guide and driver as well.
Penguins
Michael N,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience viewing wildlife at the animal sanctuary and the penguin march is one of the best things I have ever seen. As you walk out to the ocean keep an eye on the holes and caves because that is where the penguins are headed. One thing I would recommend is that you carry masks because both tours I have taken people are obviously ill and cough profusely. My family got sick after the tours. I think the tour operators should require the people that are continuously coughing to wear a mask or prevent them from going on the tour.
Beautiful day :)
Jessica V,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The sanctuary was nice but obviously the real highlight was seeing the penguins! They were soo adorable! I also really loved the Nobbies- when you get there walk to the left side (the path splits)- very magical place :)
Incredible sights, but bus needs improvement
P5866AGrickr,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We saw some incredible sights among the nobbies, the penguins and the ocean pyramids. But, there was a lot of lost time waiting for the bus to pick up at different locations. The seating on the bus was too tight. No leg room, especially when you are spending several hours on the bus. The driver was very nice, but less joking and more facts would have improved the tour.
Don’t go on a weekday!!
ericahm2026,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I took this tour on a weekday, which turned out not to be the best choice. One of the towns we stopped in had all their cute souvenir and boutique shops closed which left only restaurants open, so we ended up with about an hour there and very little to do. We also visited Moonlit Sanctuary, which was a huge letdown. The sanctuary looked run down and not very well maintained, and the overall atmosphere was quite depressing. We spent around an hour and a half there, which felt far too long for what there was to see. The rest of the tour included a few quick stops at beaches and coastal viewpoints, but nothing that really made up for the earlier parts of the day. I would have been better off renting a car and exploring on my own, especially just to see the penguins. NOT WORTH IT!
We had the most...
Jessica D,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the most incredible experience!! I couldn’t recommend it enough!! Our tour guide Peter was so great!!
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Operated by Explore Australia Tours