Full-Day Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade
Description
Every night at sunset, the truly incredible spectacle of the Penguin Parade occurs on the beaches of Phillip Island. The local colony of little penguins emerges from the water to make their way to the burrows in the sand dunes - and this tour is your chance to witness this unforgettable phenomenon in real life! We’ll spend the day exploring top attractions including Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and the Nobbies, before settling in on the sand, ready for the main show at the Penguin Parade. Including all entrance fees, this great value tour is the best way to discover the wild coastal scenery and delightful animals of Phillip Island.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Moonlit Sanctuary is home to stacks of well-known Aussie animals including kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils, plus many lesser-known species such as the spot-tailed quoll, yellow-bellied glider and long-nosed potoroo.
Located at the base of Cape Woolamai, Woolamia Beach is one of Victoria's most beautiful and rugged beaches. With huge surf and a soft golden sand, any trip to Phillip Island must include a stop here.
Cowes is located at the Northerly tip of Phillip Island is and is the Islands most populated town. It offers a village feel full of restaurants and bars. Cowes Beach and Jetty offer magnificent views over the gentle waters of Western Port Bay back to the Mornington Peninsula.
Stroll the Nobbies board walk for views of the awesome volcanic rock formations. Check out seal rock which is home to the largest colony of Australian Fur seals. Keep you eyes peeled for more Aussie Wildlife including Swamp Wallabies and even Penguins.
As the sun begins to lower, we’ll make our way to Summerland Beach ready for the main event. Once the sun has set, the little penguins will feel safe enough to emerge from the water in small groups and make their way across the beach. Take a stroll along the boardwalks to walk alongside these adorable birds as they waddle their way back to their nests with their bellies full from a day out at sea fishing.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please note that pickup time varies seasonally due to different sunset times for the main event. Our staff will contact you with your correct pick up time. Please feel free to get in touch to confirm your pick up details. PLEASE NOTE: your drop off times range from 10pm - 11pm (winter) and 12am -1am (summer)
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Unfortunately we cannot take infants under the age of 3 years old
- Please note: Evenings on Phillip Island can be cold and windy during the Penguin Parade. We recommend wearing warm clothing, such as a good jacket, to stay comfortable.
- Most travellers can participate
Reviews(804)
It started half an hour late and the meeting place was changed without any notice. The guide tried to be friendly, but he was completely unprofessional. Only one stop at a zoo was acceptable; the rest was pure fantasy. For half the day he talked about penguins, and we made two stops of more than two hours each, in places and at times where we would never see penguins due to the weather conditions (a total rip-off). People were freezing on the ocean shore, and the children were anxious for something that would never happen. Finally, a high-speed return trip, which made me arrive very late and miss my appointments that evening.
We’re sorry there appears to have been some confusion around your pickup. Viator requires one start time, so we list our first pickup, however we message every booking with their individual pickup time. We’re a little unclear about the comments regarding the penguins, as the Penguin Parade takes place at the final stop of the tour when the penguins return to shore each evening, regardless of the weather. We’re sorry the day didn’t meet your expectations and appreciate your feedback.
This was a great tour, while the pickup was late, everything made up for it after with gorgeous views, gorgeous tips from the guide, and incredible experiences. The penguins are the best!
An interesting and varied day. I loved the wildlife park, which is beautifully laid out in full of fascinating animals. Little penguin experience was great, particularly seeing them making their way to their burrows on the hill. John, our driver and Guide, was knowledgeable, friendly and super helpful.
Craig was a wonderful host, very informative. A lovely day excursion, would recommend. Good food options too
They did it again! My other two trips with Sightseeing tours were so I can back for another one down to see there penguins and we had another bus full of very happy people from all over the world sharing their experiences. I got to pat a kangaroo, talk to a cockatoo, rub body fur with a koala, feed an emu, and that's just at the wildlife sanctuary for morning tea. Once we explored the island and learnt all its secrets the locals probably don't know, we made our way over to the penguins put on a performance that you can understand why people come from all over the world to see it, including locals like me lol. Our driver Craig was a hoot and kept us laughing thru the day and told us stories of how the drivers have people waving to them driving by as they all look so happy in their snazzy upbeat Aussie buses. I'm from tropical Queensland so to see this sort of energy during the winter just brightened everyone up and you can why they get noticed so much. I've been here for 40 years and I truly feel like my new friends I met today will remember the fun we had shattering today's adventure together long down the track when most people forget. And that's something very special I haven't seen before. So 10 out of 10 guys and if this every gets back to the owners, hang onto these drivers as they are seriously talented and I am much inspired, cheers!!!!
Lovely full 12 houur day tour. Cape Woolanai was beautiful. Penguins are so cute
The best part was the guide who gave 100x100. If I had to make any criticism, the vehicle was old and not entirely comfortable for such a long tour.
Such a great experience. Loved the penguin parade.
The tour was really nice. We got picked up at 10:30 and got back around 9:10pm because it was winter season here. We first drove to Moonlit Sanctuary and saw some animals. We were lucky to see many animals out and about moving. Then we went to Woolamai Beach and took some photos before making our way to Cowes for a meal break. Next, we went to Nobbies (note there are no restrooms there) and then finally to the Penguin Parade. Note that the number of penguins seen cannot be controlled by the tour so it was already nice enough to see some penguins walk uphill on our tour. When you get your tickets scanned, bear right and keep walking to the general viewing area. You can upgrade your seats at your own costs but we didn’t. When you get to the seating area, sit at the furthest right side as the penguins will bear left upon making ashore on the beach. Also note that you cannot take photos nor videos nor stand up while in the viewing area and staff will be monitoring around. This is because of the blue light in the flash that will frighten and disorient them. Some people will try to sneak a few photos but wil be kindly reminded to put them away. After 10-15 minutes viewing, you will need to make your way back to the boardwalk to walk then walk uphill. There you can have better chances to take photos and videos but remember, NO FLASH! It was nice as we got around 2 hours at that place but one hour was used to sit and wait for them to come ashore. Nonetheless, we saw some penguins walk uphill and then we got on the bus and it was about 2 hours (due to traffic) before we got dropped off at our different pick up locations. The tour said it was max about 30 people but we ended up having only 16 people which was nice. Everyone was punctual and we did everything on the package. The tour guide didn’t really engage much with us nor introduce himself but everything was self-explanatory and he got us to where we needed to go so that was good enough. Overall, good tour, smooth ride. Definitely need to dress warm if you come during winter season meaning nice thick jacket, scarf, hat and waterproof shoes due to sudden showers and maybe umbrella if it’s not too windy.
The tour was really nice. We got picked up at 10:30 and got back around 9:10pm because it was winter season here. We first drove to Moonlit Sanctuary and saw some animals. We were lucky to see many animals out and about moving. Then we went to Woolamai Beach and took some photos before making our way to Cowes for a meal break. Next, we went to Nobbies (note there are no restrooms there) and then finally to the Penguin Parade. Note that the number of penguins seen cannot be controlled by the tour so it was already nice enough to see some penguins walk uphill on our tour. When you get your tickets scanned, bear right and keep walking to the general viewing area. You can upgrade your seats at your own costs but we didn’t. When you get to the seating area, sit at the furthest right side as the penguins will bear left upon making ashore on the beach. Also note that you cannot take photos nor videos nor stand up while in the viewing area and staff will be monitoring around. This is because of the blue light in the flash that will frighten and disorient them. Some people will try to sneak a few photos but wil be kindly reminded to put them away. After 10-15 minutes viewing, you will need to make your way back to the boardwalk to walk then walk uphill. There you can have better chances to take photos and videos but remember, NO FLASH! It was nice as we got around 2 hours at that place but one hour was used to sit and wait for them to come ashore. Nonetheless, we saw some penguins walk uphill and then we got on the bus and it was about 2 hours (due to traffic) before we got dropped off at our different pick up locations. The tour said it was max about 30 people but we ended up having only 16 people which was nice. Everyone was punctual and we did everything on the package. The tour guide didn’t really engage much with us nor introduce himself but everything was self-explanatory and he got us to where we needed to go so that was good enough. Overall, good tour, smooth ride. Definitely need to dress warm if you come during winter season meaning nice thick jacket, scarf, hat and waterproof shoes due to sudden showers and maybe umbrella if it’s not too windy.
