Witness the world’s smallest penguin species returning home at dusk on Phillip Island, one of the most popular wildlife experiences near Melbourne.
Waiting for the penguins to appear
In the underground bunker, we wait. Some eyes are gazing out the window, in anticipation of what’s to come. Others are on the big screen at the back, showing footage from the camera trained at the water’s edge.
Suddenly, there’s movement. A tiny figure tumbles out of the gentle surf onto the beach. And it’s followed by several more. The little penguins gather together, nervously scanning the horizon for predators, then begin their scuttling march for home.
Why book the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Small-Group Tour?
- ⏱ Full-day trip from Melbourne with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
- 🐨 Stop at Moonlit Sanctuary to see koalas, wallabies, and other native wildlife
- 🌊 Visit Cape Woolamai and The Nobbies for dramatic coastal views and seal spotting
- 🐧 Watch the famous Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach as little penguins return to their burrows at dusk
- 👥 Enjoy a small-group experience (maximum 24 travellers) for a more personal guided tour
- 🚐 Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with onboard Wi-Fi included
- 📸 Note: photography and video are not permitted during the Penguin Parade
How Phillip Island’s penguin colony survived
This was once a scene that would happen all over Phillip Island, a 90 minute drive from Melbourne. But humans, their introduced pests and their urban development got in the way until there was only one colony left.
That colony was saved just in time – in the 1980s, the Summerland housing estate that threatened to take over the island’s south-western peninsula was bought back and given over to nature. Pest eradication measures were put in place, and boardwalks were built so that penguin-loving visitors wouldn’t trample all over the penguin habitat.
The nightly penguin parade
It has worked – nowadays, hundreds of penguins can be seen waddling home from a hard day’s fishing. And, every evening, thousands of people can watch them do so.
This can make the ordinary viewing platforms rather crowded, but a recent innovation has seen an underground viewing bunker with glass windows built, so those prepared to pay extra can watch the penguins come past at eye level.
Watching the penguins up close
The anticipation is all part of the experience. The penguins don’t rush for home immediately – they huddle and move like a small co-ordinated army. But eventually, they make a break for it, climbing up the rocks and toddling along the path towards their nests in the vegetation-covered dunes.
Some of those nests are already occupied with fluffy little chicks. The parents are taking it in turns to babysit – one goes out fishing, and the other stays home. But the families will be reunited every evening if the penguins can manage the journey of up to a mile from the water’s edge. That’s quite a journey on little legs.
The smallest penguin species
When they finally do come past the window, it’s the cutest sight imaginable. The little penguins are the smallest of all the penguin species – they’re about 30cm high – and their knees are fused so they can’t bend their legs. This leads to the back-and-forth waddling technique that’s so instantly adorable.
It also helps that some are preparing for the moulting season, so have been stocking up on food in preparation for a three week period when their wings aren’t waterproofed and they can’t go fishing. This means some of them are comically fat, and regularly flop over onto their bellies when scurrying past.
A wildlife spectacle full of joy
To find a travel experience that’s cute is one thing. To find one that is so consistently funny is another. The cooing from the viewing den alternates with the sound of laughter. And the sheer, simplistic joy continues as the penguins arrive in waves.
As one group heads for home, another gathers at the shoreline, and they keep on coming for around an hour. And, just occasionally, one stops to check out the eyes behind the glass, willing him on.
Useful information for visiting the Penguin Parade
| Visitor question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the Phillip Island Penguin Parade ticket prices? | General viewing: AUD $33; Penguins Plus: AUD $90; Penguins Underground: AUD $100; Penguins Premium: AUD $85; Guided Penguin Tour: AUD $105; Ultimate Adventure Tour: AUD $125; Family Wildlife Tour: AUD $85; 3 Park Pass (Penguins, Koalas, Churchill Island): AUD $58. |
| What are the Penguin Parade opening hours? | The visitor centre opens daily at 4:00 pm. Penguins arrive just after sunset. Check the Penguin Arrival Calendar for exact seasonal times. |
| Is there parking at Phillip Island Penguin Parade? | Yes, free parking is available at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre. |
| Is the Penguin Parade accessible? | Yes, facilities are available for visitors with mobility challenges, vision impairments and other accessibility needs. More details can be found on the Plan Your Visit page. |
| How do I travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island? | It is approximately a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Victoria. Public transport is limited, so many visitors book day tours that include transfers. |
Information verified September 2025. Please check the official website for the latest details.
More Victoria travel
Other Victoria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Why Echuca is Australia’s paddlesteamer capital.
- Why the Great Ocean Road is Australia’s classic road trip.
- Going underground at Bendigo’s Central Deborah Gold Mine.
- On the Ned Kelly Trail in Victoria’s High Country.
- Discovering Australia’s immigration history at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience.
