Tours/Melbourne/Phillip Island & Penguin Parade Afternoon Eco Tour from Melbourne
Viator · group up to 24 pax

Phillip Island & Penguin Parade Afternoon Eco Tour from Melbourne

4.9(523)Melbourne1 hour
VIATOR4.9(11)TRIPADVISOR4.9(512)

Description

Experience this enchanting afternoon tour and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Explore the breathtaking beauty of the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, with stunning views of Phillip Island's wild south coast from the clifftop boardwalk. Prepare to be captivated by the nightly Penguin Parade, as Victoria's largest colony of little penguins emerges from the water and makes their adorable journey across the beach to their burrows. Witness their fascinating rituals of feeding, mating, caring for their young, and moulting.

Tour Options

Puffing Billy & Penguins combo
  • Add on Puffing Billy: Continue your journey by joining our Phillip Island afternoon tour following your Puffing Billy experience in the morning. This is a full day experience: You'll return to Melbourne after Puffing Billy & enjoy a lunch break before rejoining for the Phillip Island Afternoon tour
Standard Viewing
  • Standard Penguin Parade: See the Phillip Island Penguin Parade from public boardwalks and viewing stands. No maximum number of people.

Itinerary

180 min

Experience an afternoon adventure that takes you directly to Phillip Island for the spectacular Penguin Parade!

30 min

Stop by this stunning surf beach at Cape Woolamai! We visit this spot only during the summer.

60 min

Enjoy a dinner stop in Cowes, offering a variety of dining options! We only stop at this spot during the summer.

15 min

Beautiful views across the ocean while you spot the local seal colony

Admission included120 min

The nightly spectacular! See the cute little penguins waddle ashore to their nesting grounds.

Highlights

WiFi on board
Entry fees for Phillip Island Penguin Parade
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional, Friendly & Informative Tour Guide
English Speaking Tour Guide
Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option is 2 half-day tours joined together & taken on the same day

What's included

Included
WiFi on board
Entry fees for Phillip Island Penguin Parade
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional, Friendly & Informative Tour Guide
English Speaking Tour Guide
Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option is 2 half-day tours joined together & taken on the same day
Not included
Gratuities
Food & Drink

Traveller Ratings

4.9
523 reviews
5
495
4
24
3
2
2
0
1
2

Important Information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Photography of any kind is not permitted at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
  • Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board
  • Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: This package includes our Puffing Billy Half-day tour & our Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon tour
  • Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: Please note that when booking this package you will participate in both tours on the same day, Puffing Billy in the morning & Penguin Parade in the afternoon. You will have a lunch break in Melbourne between the tours
  • Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: If joining this option your return time to Melbourne will be between 9pm-midnight depending on the season

Reviews(523)

A
Amy T
July 3, 2026
Crossed a few “bucket list” items off!

Great day trip outside Melbourne. Mark K was a great driver and super knowledgeable. Tons of history, and from a native Australian means so much more! He even gave us a tour through the animal sanctuary and knew all about the animals. Only downside…weather!! It was so cold and rainy for us. Dress warm and waterproof. Bring an umbrella (you can always leave it on the bus). Also I’d bring snacks!!! Not a ton of food choices and my kids are always hungry! But overall great day! Thanks Mark!

M
Marina_T
June 13, 2026
This was a great tour,...

This was a great tour, mostly thanks to our guide Michael! The group was small and the bus was very comfortable, which is perfect if you travel solo like me. The atmosphere was friendly and it was easy to feel part of the group. Michael is a funny and interesting person. He talked with us a lot, gave us many tips about places to visit in Melbourne, and told us a lot about the route and the local animals. I really enjoyed the day and highly recommend it!

Operator response

Thanks for the lovely review! We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your day on Phillip Island with Michael. It sounds like the combination of a smaller group, a comfortable coach and a friendly atmosphere made for a really enjoyable experience. Michael is known for his great sense of humour and ability to connect with guests, so it's wonderful to hear that his stories, local recommendations and wildlife knowledge added so much to your day. We'll make sure your feedback is passed on to him. Thanks again for travelling with us, and we're thrilled that your Phillip Island adventure was such a positive one.

O
Odyssey68344837710
June 3, 2026
Memorable tour for animal lovers!

Jools and Gumnut made our tour fun, relaxing, and enjoyable! We loved the stops at Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, and Phillips Island. Jools was a kind, easygoing tour guide and made sure everyone felt cared for.

S
Sightseer590822
May 30, 2026
Outstanding Day Trip and an Exceptional Guide

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour, and Woody made the experience exceptional. He was knowledgeable, organized, and engaging, providing helpful information about each stop along the way while ensuring there was plenty of time to explore and enjoy the highlights without ever feeling rushed. The tour offered an excellent overview of the attractions, with clear guidance on what to expect and what not to miss at each location. The Penguin Parade was a true highlight, and the additional stops provided a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the beautiful areas outside Melbourne. I highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting a well-organized and enjoyable day trip from Melbourne. Woody’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and attention to detail made it a memorable experience. Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Operator response

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience on our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour 😊 It’s fantastic to know that you appreciated the balance of guided information and free time throughout the day, allowing you to fully enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. We’re also thrilled that the Penguin Parade was a highlight and that you enjoyed exploring some of the beautiful regions beyond Melbourne. We’re especially grateful for your kind words about Woody. His knowledge, organisation, enthusiasm, and attention to detail are qualities we greatly value, and we’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to him. He’ll be delighted to hear that he helped make your day so memorable. Thank you again for travelling with Go West and for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future! 🐧✨

1
190chandnia
May 30, 2026
Penguin parade

Rhys was great with all the information and guidance

T
tatianelZ6690LN
May 26, 2026
Penguin parade

It was great, but it was very quick. I would like to spend more time at The Nobbies.

G
Giovanna_M
May 24, 2026
Wonderful Experience!!

Amazing experience with Go West on the Penguin Parade tour! Everything was well organised and the places we visited were beautiful. A special thanks to Jono, who was incredibly friendly, funny, and knowledgeable throughout the whole day. He made the tour even more enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommended!

Y
Y1876JRchrisc
May 20, 2026
Our Little Blue Friends

Sherif was an awesome guide who loves what he does and made the long day worth it. Several stops to stretch the legs a must. Learned so much today and a fabulous day if you love animals

M
Myrt0T
May 17, 2026
A soul warming experience

We took the afternoon tour to Phillip Island with Aleks and it was awesome! Aleks is a true local born and raised in the area and she is informative, insightful and fun. She talked us through the history of the island while she drive around slowly to let us enjoy our encounters with grey geese and wallabies and she have the best tips on how to make the best. We got to watch hundred of penguins going on the shore to their nests and we saw several up close from the walkways. I strongly recommend this tour and if you are lucky to be with Aleks it will be one of the best tours you have ever had!

Operator response

Thanks so much for your fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear you had such an awesome time on our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour with Aleks. Having a guide who grew up in the area really does bring something extra to the experience, and it’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed Aleks’ local knowledge, stories, and fun personality throughout the day. We’re glad you had some amazing wildlife encounters along the way, from the wallabies and geese to watching the little penguins make their way back to their burrows at sunset. Seeing them up close from the boardwalks is always such a special moment. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to Aleks. She’ll be thrilled to know she helped make the day one to remember. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back on another Go West adventure in the future!

T
Travelfiend2015
May 16, 2026
Great day and great guide

Or guide Mark was great. He offered options for each event including sticking with him to see his favorites or going off on your own for each stop. He was knowledgeable about Melbourne and surrounding areas, and of course the penguins.

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