Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour from Melbourne: 12 hours

Little penguins return to shore after dark, and you're there to watch them do it.

A 12-hour day tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island combines wildlife encounters at Moonlit Sanctuary, coastal stops at Cape Woolamai and The Nobbies, and the Penguin Parade at sunset, when little penguins emerge from the ocean and cross the beach to their nesting grounds. Small groups of up to 24 travel with an expert guide and hotel pickup from Melbourne. A multilingual audio guide app is available in 16 languages. Photography is not permitted at the Penguin Parade itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Moonlit Sanctuary1h 30m · entry included
2. Penguin Parade2h · entry included

Phillip Island wildlife and coastal tour

• Photo stop at Brighton Bathing Boxes
• Visit Moonlit Sanctuary and feed kangaroos
• Travel to Phillip Island with guide commentary
• Stop at Cape Woolamai surf beach
• Dinner stop in Cowes seaside town
• View ocean and wildlife at The Nobbies
• Watch little penguins at Penguin Parade

The experience

The day starts early with a photo stop at Melbourne's Brighton Bathing Boxes, the city's most recognizable beachfront landmark, before heading toward Phillip Island. Your guide shares local stories during the drive, setting the context for what you'll see. At Moonlit Sanctuary, you get close to native Australian wildlife: kangaroos and wallabies are there to feed, and the sanctuary holds a range of other animals you can explore at your own pace.

Once on Phillip Island, the route takes you through the island's coastal landscape. Cape Woolamai appears during summer visits, a dramatic surf beach with rolling waves and wide ocean views that show the raw side of the coast. The Nobbies follows, one of the island's most spectacular vantage points, where your guide points out the offshore seal colony and brings the landscape into focus. A dinner stop in the seaside town of Cowes (summer only) gives you time to choose from local restaurants and absorb the island's rhythm before the evening's main event.

The Penguin Parade is the centerpiece. As the sun sets, little penguins emerge from the ocean after a day at sea and waddle across the beach toward their nesting grounds. A natural event that happens every evening, weather permitting. This is the moment the whole day builds toward. Note that photography is not allowed during the parade itself, and large bags, strollers, prams and luggage cannot be brought into the viewing area.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from selected Melbourne accommodations.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• expert guide in English.
• entry to Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
• multilingual audio guide app in 16 languages.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Single day tourGuide in English · 11:00Standard Penguin Parade: View the Phillip Island Penguin Parade from public boardwalks and viewing stands. There is no maximum number of people. Pickup is included.

Book 2 tours and get a city tour free.Guide in English · 07:00Enjoy the best of Melbourne with two day tours, the Great Ocean Road and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, plus a free Melbourne City Sights tour (RRP $85 per person). Duration: 3 days. Day 1: Great Ocean Road Day Tour. Day 2: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour, and choose any day for your City Sights Tour. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 11:00Last departure this season: 18 Apr 2027

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, Cantonese, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

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?Book the single day tour for a self-contained Penguin Parade experience, or choose the 2 Tours + City Tour bundle if you're staying multiple days and want to spread Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, and Melbourne across separate outings.

Traveler reviews

4.86★★★★★★★★★★

4,113 verified traveler reviews

5 ★3,681

4 ★335

3 ★57

2 ★20

1 ★20

Read all the reviews ›

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.

What time does the tour leave Melbourne and when do we get back?

The tour runs for 12 hours total and includes hotel pickup from selected Melbourne accommodations, so your start time depends on your hotel location. Your guide will confirm the pickup window when you book.

Can I feed the kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary?

Yes, feeding kangaroos and wallabies is part of the Moonlit Sanctuary stop. You'll have the opportunity to get close to these native animals during the visit.

What happens if the penguins don't come ashore on the night of my tour?

The Penguin Parade is a natural event and penguins return to shore every evening, but weather and ocean conditions can occasionally affect timing or visibility. The tour includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if conditions prevent the parade from occurring as expected, the operator will work with you on a resolution.

Is the Penguin Parade viewing area accessible with a stroller or large bag?

Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage and walkers cannot be brought into the Penguin Parade viewing area. Plan to travel light for the evening portion of the tour, though the air-conditioned vehicle stores your belongings during the parade.

What languages does the audio guide support?

A multilingual audio guide app is available in 16 languages, including German, Italian, French, Russian, Spanish and more, so you can follow along in your preferred language throughout the day.

Are there dining options included, or do I need to pay for dinner?

Dinner is not included in the tour price. During the summer stop in Cowes, you'll have time to choose from local restaurants and pay for your own meal before the Penguin Parade.