Phillip Island has one of the largest fairy penguin colonies in the world and Phillip Island Penguin Parade is its most popular attraction. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the daily arrival of the Little Penguins (formerly known as Fairy Penguins) as they head to their burrows after a day of fishing. As the sun sets, the parade begins.
Visitors watch the penguin parade on Philip Island from boardwalks and viewing platforms. For a more close-up look, Phillip Island tours take visitors to premium underground viewing areas to see the penguin antics from a safe distance. These delightful animals put on a real show as they waddle their way from the ocean to their sand dune homes for the night.
Join us as we unearth all aspects of Victoria as we rove the highways and byways of this diverse state. Delve into bustling metropolitan Melbourne, travel along the Great Ocean Road and enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight over the 12 Apostles. Traverse The Grampians to Ballarat and experience history at Sovereign Hill. Dig up our gold mining history in Bendigo and board a paddle steamer in Echuca before discovering the beauty of the High Country.
Depart for 9 days on our opulent Diamond Class coach. Our first day takes us through Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. We visit Wollongong, followed by the Sapphire Coast Drive and travel through Bournda National Park to Tura Beach and Merimbula. See Wilsons Promontory, affectionately known as ‘The Prom’, the southernmost point of mainland Australia with stunning coastal scenery and pristine wilderness. Explore Phillip Island Nature Park with underground viewing of adorable little penguins. Finishing up your trip in the vibrant Melbourne CBD.
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade is a world-famous wildlife attraction drawing locals, tourists, photographers and researchers to this tiny island off the southern coast of Victoria. Phillip Island Nature Parks manages the penguin parade, ensuring the conservation of the penguins and their habitat.
Tours take visitors to the park to wander through world-renowned wetlands and along scenic boardwalks. As the sun sets, the beach comes to life as the Little Penguins emerge from the surf in groups, or ‘rafts.’ Their endearing waddle and distinctive calls are an enchanting sight attracting thousands of visitors annually.
The experience offers an educational insight into the life and behaviour of the world’s smallest penguins, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. The Little Penguins, standing at around 33 cm tall, are native to southern Australia and New Zealand. This natural phenomenon has captivated visitors for a century and continues to be a cornerstone of the island's tourism.
Phillip Island Nature Parks is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of the Little Penguins and their environment. The organisation runs the Penguin Parade Phillip Island, employing a range of measures to ensure the protection of the penguins, including habitat restoration, predator control, and research initiatives.
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade experience is designed to minimise human impact on the penguins and visitors can choose from various viewing options. Guided ranger tours are also available and provide a deeper insight into the penguins' behaviour and the island's ecosystem.
In addition to the penguin parade, Phillip Island Nature Parks manages the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre, which features interactive displays about marine life and the island’s rugged coastline. They’ve also partnered to take visitors on a two-hour cruise to one of Australia's largest colonies of Fur Seals, at Seal Rocks off Phillip Island.
The Penguin Parade is at Summerland Beach every day at sunset, with Little Penguins (Fairy Penguins) as these adorable creatures waddle their way up the beach to their burrows.
The famous Phillip Island penguin parade is each night at sunset - around 6.00 pm in winter and later in summer, around 9.00 pm.
Put aside two hours for the entire experience. The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island lasts for around an hour, but it’s worth getting to the site an hour before sunset to choose the best vantage point.
Phillip Island is a 90 to 120-minute drive from Melbourne, depending on traffic. Allow a further 20 minutes from the bridge to get to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
Apart from the amazing little penguins and unique fur seal colony, Phillip Island has eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, emus, cassowaries, koalas, echidnas, and even Tasmanian devils.
Phillip Island Wildlife Park, set on 60 acres is home to over 100 species of Australian animals and many migrating birds visit the island.
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