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Phillip Island Tours

Experience the best of Phillip Island Penguins Tour. Phillip Island, located on Victoria’s South Coast, has a colony of around 32,000 Little Penguins. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of penguins emerge from the surf and cross the beach at the famous Penguin Parade every night. Our full-day tour includes nature walks on the stunning beaches and boardwalks of Phillip Island, where you’ll also have the chance to meet some of the local furry residents. Our knowledgeable tour guide will provide information on the best places to sit in each Penguin Viewing Area to ensure you have the best possible experience.

DAYS 1
DEPARTS 13:45 SUMMER   /  11:45 WINTER
RETURNS 23:45 SUMMER   /  21:45 WINTER
Price $ 165 AUD  /   $ 115 DEAL
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Highlights

  • Experience the captivating wildlife event known as the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
  • Visitors can participate in a guided ranger journey through the Philip Island Koala Conservation Reserve.
  • Experience and learn about the natural beauty, history, and significance of Phillip Island.
  • Travel along the dirt roads on Phillips Island’s coastal cliffs to spot wallabies and birds of prey away from the usual tourist routes.
  • Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk along the Nobbies and Seal Rocks coastal boardwalks.
  • Visit the Phillip Island Penguin Visitor Centre.

What you can actually see!

day trip phillip island
phillip island day tours
phillip island penguin tour
phillip island penguin tours
phillip island day trip

What are the reasons to visit Phillip Island?

The Phillip Island Penguin Tours offers a comprehensive animal-focused experience. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the picturesque Phillip Island, including a guided ranger journey through the Philip Island Koala Reserve, walks along untamed surf beaches, wildlife spotting of Kangaroos and Wallabies, and culminating in a visit to the renowned Penguin Parade.

Itinerary

Phillip Island is located 140 km southeast of Melbourne and has a population of just over 7,000 people. The island boasts a diverse range of animal species and contains areas of beauty that hold scientific, historic, and archaeological significance.
The drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, a Phillip Island Nature Parks Ranger will greet you for a guided walk through the Koala Reserve. A presentation will be given about the Koalas, the history and importance of the Reserve, and the last remaining natural woodland on the island.
The Yalloc Bulluck, a large clan of the Bunurong people, used to hunt, fish, and forage on Phillip Island. They would come to the island in the Summer and during the ‘egging season’. The area was popular because of the abundant wildlife. Today, evidence of the Yalloc Bulluk’s foraging can be seen at the Penguin Parade and in the Summerlands National Park. Phillip Island Nature Parks is working to educate visitors and preserve these culturally significant areas.
In Summerlands, there are no houses, only National Park. Penguins hide in artificial burrows while they are not out fishing. We can walk along the boardwalks of ‘The Nobbies’ to see if we can find any Little Penguins. We can also visit ‘The Blowhole ‘to see the crashing waves on the volcanic rock. The caves and formations on this peninsula, with Seal Rocks in the background, are great for dramatic photos. If you prefer not to walk on the boardwalks, you can go to the Nobbies Information Centre. There, you can shop, get a hot drink, or learn about the ‘Antarctic Journey Experience’. For an additional $18 per person, you can explore the marine animals of the Southern Hemisphere. By visiting this WWF attraction, your entrance fee helps protect and preserve the creatures of the Southern Ocean.

From the Nobbies, we begin our off-road adventure with stunning views and chances to spot Wallabies during the drive. Your guided tour will enhance the excitement of observing wild Little Penguins by sharing information about their distinct behaviours and characteristics. It’s interesting to note that they possess over 3000 feathers.

The Penguin Parade occurs after sunset when the Little Penguins come out of the water. Photography is not allowed during this time to avoid disturbing the penguins. Wildlife Tours supports this request and believes fully immersing oneself in the experience is more enjoyable than taking photos. There is a combined tour available for those interested in both the Penguin Parade and the Great Ocean Road. Takes care of pis planning and driving, allowing guests to sit back and enjoy the journey.

Details

What do you need to bring?

  • Water bottle
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Warm and cool clothing
  • Rain jacket
  • Camera
  • A sense of adventure

What's Included?

  • Penguin Parade entry
  • Inner city pickup and drop-off
  • Experienced driver/guide and tour commentary
  • Koala Reserve Entry Fees

Pricing and package Deal Discounts

Fare prices: $ 165 Adult (13+) / $ 125 Children (0-12)

To organize your private tour of Phillip Island, contact our charters team at [email protected]. Follow our itinerary or customize your own; it’s up to you. Enjoy the convenience of a pickup drop-off at your address, and relax exploring new places with loved ones.

Pickup Time & Location

Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45 am (winter) / 1:45 pm (Summer).

Winter | Summer

  • 11:05 | 13:05 – Pegasus Apartments Hotel, 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne
  • 11:10 | 13:10 – Melbourne Marriott Hotel – Cnr Exhibition St Lonsdale St, Melbourne
  • 11:15 | 13:15 – Space Hotel, 380 Russell St, Melbourne
  • 11:20 | 13:20 – Grand Hyatt Melbourne – Russell St entrance, Melbourne
  • 11:30 | 13:30 – Adina Apartment Hotel, 189 Queen St, Melbourne
  • 11:35 | 13:35 – The Savoy Hotel, 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne
  • 11:45 | 13:45 – Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, on the corner of Market St, Melbourne
  • 11:50 | 13:50 – Crown Towers – 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank

This tour is affected by daylight savings hours and departure time changes to maximize the sunset experience.

  • 02 Oct 2022 – 01 Apr 2023 summer @ 1:45 pm
  • 02 Apr 2023 – 30 Sep 2023 winter @ 11:45 am
  • 01 Oct 2023 – 06 Apr 2024 summer @ 1:45 pm.

***If you cannot find your desired pickup location, please get in touch with our office for a more exhaustive list of locations.* You should arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before departure time. Please be patient and do not panic if your bus is running a few minutes late. If your bus has not picked you up within 10 minutes of your departure time, contact our office on 03 9393 1300.

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FAQ

  • Penguin Parade: A unique opportunity to see little penguins return to their burrows at sunset.
  • Phillip Island Wildlife Park: Interact with kangaroos, koalas, and other native Australian animals.
  • Churchill Island Heritage Farm: Experience a 19th-century working farm and learn about the region’s history.
  • Seal Rocks: Witness a colony of playful fur seals in their natural habitat.
  • Coastal Scenery: Enjoy the stunning views at Cape Woolamai and explore the island’s beautiful beaches.
Warm clothing, a refillable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, a camera or binoculars, and snacks or picnic supplies
The best time is during the summer months (November to March), as this is when thousands of little penguins make their daily journey to Summerland Beach.
Arrive early to secure a good spot, dress warmly as evenings can be chilly, and bring a refillable water bottle. It’s also important to respect the penguins’ space and avoid flash photography.

The drive from Melbourne to Phillip Island takes approximately 90 minutes.