Tours/Melbourne/Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip with Koalas from Melbourne
Viator · group up to 38 pax

Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip with Koalas from Melbourne

4.5(266)Melbourne1 hour
VIATOR4.4(145)TRIPADVISOR4.5(121)

Description

Start your afternoon the best way possible with a visit to the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, where elevated boardwalks wind through native bushland giving you the chance to spot koalas resting in the treetops. From here, discover the natural beauty of Phillip Island as you take in rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, and sweeping ocean views. Visit The Nobbies, where dramatic clifftop scenery meets crashing waves, and keep an eye out for penguin burrows, and Australian fur seals offshore. As sunset approaches, prepare for cuteness overload at the world-famous Penguin Parade. Home to over 32,000 Little Penguins, this unforgettable wildlife experience sees hundreds—sometimes thousands—of the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the surf and waddle up the beach to their burrows. Watch this spectacle unfold at Summerland Beach and explore the interactive Visitor Centre to learn about penguin conservation before returning to Melbourne with memories to last a lifetime.

Tour Options

Penguins Plus Viewing
  • Abundance of Wildlife: Up-close encounters with Koalas and penguins! Duration: 10 hours Medium group size: Our modern vehicles range from 24-39 seats with air conditioning and seat belts designed for long-haul comfort. Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing: The Penguins Plus viewing platform offers visitors up-close viewing of the little penguins on popular pathway highway.
Penguins General Viewing
  • Abundance of Wildlife: Up-close encounters with Koalas and penguins! Duration: 10 hours Medium group size: Our modern vehicles range from 24-39 seats with air conditioning and seat belts designed for long-haul comfort. Tour + General Viewing Access: A day tour to Phillip Island showcasing a Koala Park, and Penguin Parade with general viewing access.

Itinerary

10 min

Get ready—our adventure begins soon! The bus is on its way, so grab your gear, feel the excitement, and let's hit the road!

Admission included60 min

Our wildlife adventure begins at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, the perfect first stop for animal lovers. Here, you’ll have the chance to stroll along picturesque boardwalk trails that weave through lush natural woodlands. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for koalas nestled in the trees—these iconic marsupials are a must-see!

60 min

Seasonal summer stop at Cape Woolamai Surf Beach, where extra daylight allows time to explore this dramatic volcanic coastline. Enjoy a refreshing beach walk, breathe in the ocean air, and take in sweeping views toward Pyramid Rock in the distance.

60 min

This immersive experience not only allows you to connect with these adorable animals but also supports local economies. You can purchase food and refreshments in Cowes or at the Penguin Parade, as meals are not provided during the tour.

Admission included60 min

Phillip Island is known for its stunning natural beauty, featuring rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and diverse ecosystems. Our journey will take us to the Nobbies, located at the western end of the island. Here, you can admire the majestic rocky coastline and the dramatic sea views, all while learning about the unique flora and fauna that inhabit this area.

Admission included120 min

Witness the magical moment when the world’s tiniest penguins, known as Little Penguins, emerge from the waves to waddle ashore. This enchanting scene, filled with the soft sounds of nature and the sight of these adorable creatures, is sure to leave a lasting impression. Watching these little penguins make their way home after a day at sea is a heartwarming experience you won’t soon forget

10 min

As we roll back to your pick-up point, sit back, relax, and relive the magic of the day—full of epic sights, laughs, and unforgettable moments. What an adventure!

Highlights

Multilingual translation app service available in several languages
Admission to Penguin Parade (general viewing or penguins plus viewing upgrade)
Travel comfortably in a modern, air-conditioned medium-sized coach and onboard wifi
Experience world-class wildlife encounters up close
Hosted by an experienced driver guide with live tour commentary
Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve

What's included

Included
Multilingual translation app service available in several languages
Admission to Penguin Parade (general viewing or penguins plus viewing upgrade)
Travel comfortably in a modern, air-conditioned medium-sized coach and onboard wifi
Experience world-class wildlife encounters up close
Hosted by an experienced driver guide with live tour commentary
Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
Not included
Any meals not indicated within the itinerary - at the guest’s own expense.
Spending money for personal items
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

4.5
266 reviews
5
189
4
39
3
24
2
5
1
9

Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Child fare prices apply to infants and children aged from 0 to 12 years old. Children aged 0 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times.
  • While we endeavour to operate our tours as planned, there may be occasions when rain or inclement weather affects our itinerary.
  • This tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, prams, or strollers. If you require additional support please advise at the time of booking.

Reviews(266)

3
316mikai
July 24, 2026
For your protection 🙂

It can be donated to koala shelters, and it's much better than a zoo! You should definitely go. I'm not from the tour here at the penguin facility, but it was a shame to take photos and videos when it's banned.

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed visiting the koala conservation centre and appreciated the opportunity to support wildlife protection. We also appreciate your comments about respecting the Penguin Parade guidelines, which help protect these amazing animals. We hope to welcome you on another wildlife adventure soon!

M
mi_m
July 24, 2026
I enjoyed it.

The guide was very kind and caring for us. I was so happy to find the penguin and park my car on the way! Since the shopping time on the way is short, maybe it's better to bring some food with you? It is very cold at this time of year to go see penguins and you should take an umbrella with you as you cannot use it in your seat. Let's buy souvenirs at the Penguin Center again. This is a special you can't buy anywhere else. You can't take pictures or videos of penguins. Thank you for everything.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted you enjoyed the tour and that our guide helped make your experience so special. We also appreciate you sharing your helpful tips for future travellers. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!

T
tinatC4431CK
April 4, 2026
So much wildlife!

This was such a fun experience. The penguins were so cute and our tour guide Craig was the best, and so knowledgable. He was able to answer all of my questions. I enjoyed the bus ride, we spotted kangaroos, wallaby’s, Phalangeridae, camels, and so many birds, not to mention the koala, and penguins. We saw great views, surfers and got tons of memorable photos. Highly recommend this tour! The bus had wifi and usb charger ports under the seat, and we were able to eat and snack during the ride which was a bonus!

Operator response

Thank you so much for sharing your fun-filled experience! We're thrilled to hear you loved the penguins, enjoyed the wildlife sightings, and appreciated Craig’s knowledge and friendliness. It’s fantastic that you captured so many memorable photos and enjoyed the great views, surfers, and snacks on the bus. We truly appreciate your high recommendation and are delighted that the amenities like WiFi and USB chargers added to your comfort. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more adventures soon!

M
mailwbc
April 1, 2026
A Worthy Experience Especially With a Great Guide

Was a perfect sunny, warm weather day to enjoy the trip which was made all that much better by all of the great cultural insights and trip tips given by our fantastic guide Fiona. She’s probably presented all the information a million times before but still was able to do it all again with the enthusiasm and spirit of sharing it as if it was the first time which it was for everyone onboard…much better than someone sounding robotic and just going through the motions. Fiona also did a great job of organizing everyone to stay on time so all of the itinerary stops were fitted in with a comfortable relaxed manner. At the end of the trip we were left with many memories of the koalas, penguins, wallabies, puggle, and fantastic landscape and water views experienced. And most importantly, Fiona got us all home safe and sound and left us all with a very relaxed, trouble free experience.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted to hear that the perfect sunny and warm weather complemented your trip. It’s fantastic to know that Fiona’s cultural insights and trip tips made the journey even more special. Her enthusiasm and genuine spirit of sharing truly stand out, and it’s great to hear that it resonated with everyone onboard - making the experience lively and memorable rather than robotic. Fiona’s organization and ability to keep everyone on schedule in a relaxed manner seem to have contributed greatly to the smooth flow of the trip. It’s wonderful that you left with lasting memories of koalas, penguins, wallabies, puggles, and stunning landscapes and water views. Most importantly, we’re glad Fiona ensured everyone’s safety and provided a trouble-free, relaxed experience. Thank you for your kind words, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures!

T
Tracy_K
March 14, 2026
We enjoyed the bus trip,...

We enjoyed the bus trip, but unfortunately was very disappointed with the Penguin viewing. Lucky to see 20

Operator response

Thank you for joining our Phillip Island tour! We’re glad you enjoyed the journey, though we understand it can be disappointing when fewer penguins appear. Nature can be unpredictable, but we’re happy you still had the chance to see them. We hope your next visit brings even more penguin magic!

P
patb912leeds
March 8, 2026
Excellent day out to see the koalas, wallabies and penguins

Our guide Fiona was very organised, professional, friendly and full of knowledge. Thank you Fiona for making this trip exceptional, you are a great guide. We started boarded the bus by the Immigration Museum which is so easy to find. It is quite a drive to Phillip Island but well worth it. The coach was comfortable and had free wfi. Fiona explained things on the way (unless we were on the motorway then she couldn't speak). We spent 1 hr at the Koala Conservation area. Plenty of Koalas Wallabies to see. We made a stop at Cape Woolamai Beach, gorgeous, spectactular views. Stopped off at Cowes for 1 hr for lunch, plenty of cafe's, restaurants. The Nobbies Centre is really good. Walking on the boardwalks to see the little penguins under them. Different viewing decks. After that we set off to get in position for the penguin parade. The best viewing areas are sitting on the beach. You can only use cameras until it gets dark then no cameras are allowed but you always have those who don't listen! Taking advice from Fiona, after seeing a few penguins coming up the beach head off back towards the exit, stay left on the boardwalk and you will get a great, close up view of the penguins waddling up to their burrows. It gets really busy in that area. Fantastic day out, thank you Fiona for being so organised and sharing your knowledge with us.

Operator response

Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear Fiona made your trip exceptional with her organization, professionalism, friendliness, and knowledge. It’s great to know you enjoyed the highlights like the Koala Conservation area, Cape Woolamai Beach, the Nobbies Centre, and the penguin parade. We’ll be sure to pass along your appreciation to Fiona. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure-we look forward to hosting you again soon!

W
W8227HAinnak
March 7, 2026
Great experience.

We really enjoyed the trip. The driver was very nice and told a lot during the trip. The trip was well organized.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the trip and appreciated the friendly and informative service provided by our driver. We pride ourselves on offering well-organized experiences, and it's rewarding to know we met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!

M
MacKenzie_O
March 6, 2026
Please make note that...

Please make note that Wildlife Tours Australia and Autopia are the same company when meeting to get on the bus. I was waiting there for about 20 minutes while everyone was getting on their tour buses and I asked 2 other operators if the Wildlife Tours bus was coming and they said it should be and to just wait there. Another family also booked the same tour/company and was waiting. It wasn’t until the tour guide for Autopia started naming off our names and told us to get on those buses. Unfortunately that meant I was the last one on the bus in the back row and I get motion sickness. Sadly no one would trade with me though. Thankfully I brought snacks and water, motion sickness patches and Dramamine. I would advise the company to be more clearer for the meet up! Since I was one of the first people waiting, I could have not been in the back of the bus. This tour was great and Phillips Island was beautiful. There weren’t too many penguins sadly. I think I would have preferred a small group of 10 rather than 39 people on one big bus. We couldn’t even hear the tour guide in the back of the bus either.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed beautiful Phillip Island despite the challenges. We appreciate your feedback on clearer meet-up details and group size, and will use it to improve. We hope to welcome you again for more memorable adventures!

I
Irmina_A
February 20, 2026
I wasted my 12 hours for...

I wasted my 12 hours for this tour! Such a long drive and saw only less than 10 Penguins. We waited too long on the Grand stand and it wasn’t even a parade of Penguins….so frustrating. One good thing, we had a very knowledgeable Tour Guide. The Italian restaurant was really good plus the Aldi nearby for some snacks.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We sincerely apologize that your experience did not meet your expectations and that the long drive and penguin sightings were disappointing. We understand how frustrating it can be to wait for something that doesn’t quite happen as hoped, especially after such a lengthy journey. We're glad to hear that you appreciated our knowledgeable tour guide and enjoyed the Italian restaurant and nearby shopping for snacks. Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll use it to improve our tours and ensure a more fulfilling experience for all our guests. Thank you again for your honest review, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide a better experience in the future.

R
Robert_E
February 18, 2026
An adventure!

Weather can be unpredictable! Be prepared with layers. The parade of penguins was less than spectacular. Since this was an end of summer event we had to wait until it was dark to watch the penguins appear. Many hundreds of people, maybe a few hundred penguins scattered along the beach. Koala sightings was were earlier in the trip. Weather rainy & cold, tour company can’t control that, we saw several Koalas. Dinner stop was in town of Cowes. Not too many choices since the town appears to close by 6:pm. Our tour guide was nice however her microphone wasn’t working properly & often what she was saying was hard to understand what she was saying. Still giving it four stars because it was an interesting adventure!

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We're glad you found the adventure interesting and appreciate your understanding of the weather conditions and their impact on the penguin parade. It's great to hear you managed to see some koalas earlier in the trip, despite the rainy and cold weather. We apologize for the microphone issue with your guide and will pass this along to improve future tours. Your insights help us enhance the experience for all guests. We appreciate your four-star review and hope to provide even better experiences on your next adventure!

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