Phillip Island Tour

Join the Phillip Island Penguins Tour and see the best of Phillip Island. Located on Victoria’s South Coast, Phillip Island is home to 32,000 Little Penguins. Every night, hundreds – sometimes thousands – of these little blokes come ashore, and it’s the famous Penguin Parade. This full-day tour includes nature walks along the island’s beautiful beaches and boardwalks, where you can see some of the local Aussie wildlife and the Penguin Parade. Our guides will show you the best viewing areas in each Penguin Viewing Area.
See the spectacular coastline and rugged shoreline on this Phillip Island Tour. Our expert guide will show you around this amazing place and give you plenty of opportunities to see adorable wildlife in its natural environment. Whether you want wildlife action or just want to chill on the beach after sunset, our wheelchair accessible tours cater for many. Join Wildlife Coast Cruises and get amongst it on Phillip Island!

Phillip Island Penguins Tour Highlights

Why Go to Phillip Island

Head to Phillip Island for the ultimate Australian animal adventure! Just south of Melbourne this is a must see for animal lovers! Join a guided ranger tour at the Phillip Island Koala Reserve, walk along rugged surf beaches, see wild kangaroos and wallabies and finish the day with the famous Penguin Parade.
Phillip Island is 140km south of Melbourne and has a population of just over 7,000 people and over 100 different animal species. Despite its small size the island is full of natural beauty and has scientific, historical and archaeological significance.
Drive 1 hour 45 minutes from Melbourne to Phillip Island. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a ranger from Phillip Island Nature Parks who will guide you on a guided tour of the Koala Reserve. During your visit, you will receive information about koalas, the history and significance of the reserve, and the last remaining natural woodland on the island.
Phillip Island was a special place for the Yalloc Bulluck, one of the largest clans of the Bunurong people, for hunting, fishing and foraging. They would make the trip to the island during the summer months and the “egging season”. With the native wildlife still present today, it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular. You can still see remnants of the Yalloc Bulluck’s foraging activities today, particularly in the midden at the Penguin Parade and Summerlands National Park. Phillip Island Nature Parks is committed to increasing visitor awareness and conservation of these cultural areas.
As you enter Summerlands, you will notice there is no housing in this area as it is all National Park. Here, you will see small wooden artificial burrows where penguins have stayed on land for the day’s rest. We will walk along the boardwalks of ‘The Nobbies’ to find Little Penguins in their burrows. The boardwalks will take us to ‘The Blowhole’, where the waves crash against the dark volcanic rock. The rugged cliffs and formations of this peninsula are perfect for dramatic photography, especially with Seal Rocks in the background; on sunny days, you may even see an Australian colony of fur seals sunbathing. If you don’t want to walk the boardwalks, the Nobbies Information Centre is a warm and cozy alternative. Here, you can browse the gift shop, have a warm drink or explore the ‘Antarctic Journey Experience’. Admission to the Antarctic Journey is $18 per person and is a WWF attraction. Hence, your ticket purchase goes directly towards the protection and conservation of these amazing creatures in the deep Southern Ocean.
From the Nobbies, we start our off-road adventure and get up close to the rugged coastline and Wallabies along the way. Your informative tour guide will help you spot the Little Penguins and teach you all about their habits and characteristics. Did you know they have over 3,000 feathers?
As the sun sets, we move on to the Penguin Parade. The Little Penguins emerge from the sea after sunset to avoid aerial predators. At this point, we ask that no photography be taken. We fully support this request as we believe you will enjoy this natural wonder without the distraction of trying to get that perfect photo – just soak it up! If you also want to see the Great Ocean Road, consider our 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tour, which combines both destinations. Leave the planning and driving to us and just relax and enjoy the ride.

What you need to bring?

Our central meeting point for this tour will be Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45AM (winter) / 13:45PM (summer).

***If you cannot find your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a more exhaustive list of locations.* It is strongly recommended that you 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, then contact our office on 03 9393 1300.

What To Pack

Tour Inclusions

Gallery

What To Bring

Important Notes

Check Availability & Book​

FAQ

Yes, the tour is for families, and kids can see an array of wildlife and nature. But parents need to supervise their kids especially during the Penguin Parade to ensure the penguins safety and comfort.

Victoria’s first National Surf Sanctuary, Phillip Island, has many coastal wonders. A day trip from Melbourne or a weekend away.

Phillip Island is an Australian wildlife experience like no other. While the penguin parade is famous, expect a trip full of nature, local food, wine and sea air. Easy to get to by car.

Best time to visit Phillip Island is during the warm months November to March. Summer is lovely and you can do everything this part of Australia has to offer!

Cowes Main Beach, Ventnor Beach, Red Rocks Beach, San Remo Back Beach and Silverleaves Beach on Phillip Island are calm and great for swimming and paddleboarding.

Phillip Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge so easy and convenient to get to by car. The drive from Melbourne or Gippsland is a great opportunity to stop at all the scenic spots, attractions, wineries and restaurants along the way.

Forrest Caves (Phillip Island) water temperature is 15°C. If sunny weather, water is warm enough to surf with a well fitted spring wetsuit. Some surfers may wear gloves and boots.

Yes, bookings are required all year round for the Guided Ranger, Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing tours.

The Penguin Parade visitor centre opens at 5 PM, and the penguins come ashore at sunset. Arrive about an hour before they do.

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