Melbourne City Highlights & Penguin Parade: 12-14 hours

City landmarks and coastal boardwalks, then penguins waddling ashore at dusk

You get Melbourne's main landmarks (street art, gardens, cathedrals, and civic buildings) in the morning, then travel to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade at dusk. The guide handles all navigation and entry fees. You just show up and move between the stops. It's a long day, but it covers two very different sides of Victoria without you arranging transport or timing yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Collins Streetpass by
2. Hosier Lane15m
3. National Gallery of Victoriapass by
4. Shrine of Remembrance30m · entry included
5. Melbourne Cricket Ground15m
6. Parliament House of Victoriapass by
7. St Patrick's Cathedral20m
8. Fitzroy Gardens20m
9. Old Melbourne Gaol10m
10. Lygon Streetpass by
11. Melbourne Museumpass by
12. Queen Victoria Marketpass by
13. Cape Woolamai30m
14. Penguin Parade2h · entry included

Melbourne city tour and Penguin Parade

• Join morning Melbourne City Discovery Tour
• Visit Melbourne Cricket Ground forecourt
• Walk through Hosier Lane street art
• Drive past Flinders Street Station
• Pass by St. Paul's Cathedral
• Pass by National Gallery of Victoria
• Visit Shrine of Remembrance and view city
• Admire Old Treasury Building
• See Parliament House of Victoria
• Stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral
• Visit Fitzroy Gardens and Cook's Cottage
• Brief stroll at local distillery
• Pass by Lygon Street
• Pass through Royal Exhibition Building
• Drive by Queen Victoria Market
• Meet next to Immigration Museum after lunch
• Travel to Phillip Island for Penguin Parade
• Stop at Cape Woolamai surf beach
• Enjoy dinner stop in Cowes
• View local seal colony
• Watch Penguin Parade at sunset

The experience

You spend the morning walking through Hosier Lane's constantly changing murals, then by afternoon you're standing at the Shrine of Remembrance looking out over the city. By evening, you're on a boardwalk watching penguins wade ashore in the dark. It's the kind of day that doesn't quite fit together until it does. The full-day Melbourne city sightseeing tour packs the urban landmarks: Flinders Street Station, St. Paul's Cathedral, the MCG forecourt, Fitzroy Gardens with Cook's Cottage: into the first half, then pivots completely to nature on Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade as the sun goes down.

The morning moves at a steady pace through the city's heritage and art. You'll see Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and pass Queen Victoria Market without stopping (though the guide points out what's there). Fitzroy Gardens gets a proper stop. The Conservatory is worth the walk, and Cook's Cottage sits quietly in the middle of it all. There's a brief craft spirits tasting at a local distillery, and Lygon Street slides past the window with its Italian cafés. The Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO site, gets a drive-by. By lunchtime you've covered most of what makes Melbourne's architecture and street culture recognizable, and the guide has given you the context for why each place matters.

After lunch near the Immigration Museum, the tour heads to Phillip Island: about an hour's drive south. The coastal boardwalks at The Nobbies come first, with views across to a seal colony. In summer, there's a stop at Cape Woolamai beach and a dinner break in Cowes. Then comes the Penguin Parade itself. You walk the boardwalks as the light fades, and the little penguins, the world's smallest penguin species, start coming ashore to their nesting grounds. It's not a controlled show. It's their routine, and you're watching it happen. The visitors' centre has exhibitions on the species, though photography isn't allowed during the parade itself. The whole thing takes time (you're not rushed through), and the return to Melbourne happens in the dark, so you're looking at a 12 to 14-hour day depending on the season.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, WiFi is on board, and all internal transfers, entry fees and the guide are included. Large bags and strollers can't come on the bus, so pack light for the boardwalk sections. Infant seats are available if you need them. The tour runs year-round, though summer adds the beach stop and dinner in Cowes. Winter skips those and heads straight to the parade.

What’s included

• Your day includes entry fees for all Melbourne attractions and the Penguin Parade, all internal transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, and WiFi on board.
• Infant seats are available if needed.
• Lunch is not included, but there's a break to buy food near the Immigration Museum, and in summer there's a dinner stop in Cowes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Go West Tours

Is this one for you?This tour works well if you want to see Melbourne's main sights and the Penguin Parade in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the evening wildlife moment. The guide handles the logistics and the long drive, so you just move from one stop to the next.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full tour?

Between 12 and 14 hours, depending on the season. Summer tours include a beach stop and dinner in Cowes. Winter tours go straight to the Penguin Parade after the boardwalk.

What's included in the price?

Entry fees for all attractions, the Penguin Parade entry, all internal transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, and a guide. Lunch is not included.

Can I take photos at the Penguin Parade?

No. Photography of any kind is not permitted during the Penguin Parade itself, though you can photograph the boardwalks and other parts of the day.

What can't I bring on the bus?

Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage and walkers cannot be brought on board. Pack light for the day.

Is lunch included?

No. There's a lunch break near the Immigration Museum where you can buy food, and in summer there's a dinner stop in Cowes.

Are there stops in the city where we get out and walk?

Yes. Hosier Lane, Fitzroy Gardens, and the boardwalks at Phillip Island are proper stops. Most other landmarks are drive-bys or brief photo stops.

What if I'm not fit enough for walking?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walks are short and at a relaxed pace, and you can skip any stop if you need to stay on the vehicle.

Is the Penguin Parade guaranteed?

The penguins come ashore every night, so the parade happens. Weather can affect visibility and comfort, but the tour runs year-round.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.