Melbourne Wildlife Tour: Phillip Island Penguins & Sanctuary

A full day in one private car, from native animals to penguins returning at dusk

This is a private full-day tour of Melbourne and Phillip Island with a dedicated guide and car, starting from your hotel or port and ending after the penguin parade. You visit Moonlit Sanctuary to see dingoes, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras and parrots; walk the boardwalk at the Nobbies to spot wallabies and Cape Barron geese; and watch the world-famous penguin parade as the sun sets. The guide handles all routing and timing, and returns you to your accommodation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Moonlit Sanctuary1h 30m · entry included
2. Cape Woolamai20m · entry included

Full day wildlife and Melbourne tour

• Pickup from hotel or port
• Visit Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife park
• Stop at Cape Woolamai beach
• Watch surfers at the beach
• Enjoy gelato and souvenirs
• Walk boardwalk at Nobbies, Phillip Island
• See wallabies and Cape Barron geese
• Watch the Penguin Parade at sunset
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The day runs about ten hours from pickup to drop-off, built around the penguin parade timing at Phillip Island. Your guide collects you from your hotel or the port and drives a private car with a large sunroof that opens the view as you head south. On the way, you stop at Moonlit Sanctuary to walk among indigenous Australian marsupials (dingoes, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras and parrots) before heading to Phillip Island itself.

At the Nobbies, the southerly point of Phillip Island, you walk the boardwalk overlooking the wild ocean. This is where you spot swamp wallabies and Cape Barron geese in their natural habitat, and watch surfers on the beach below. There's time to eat at the beach, grab gelato or pick up souvenirs before the main event. As the sun sets, you head to the penguin parade viewing area (your guide can advise on the best option), and watch the little penguins return from the ocean and make their way back to shore. After the show, the guide takes you back to your accommodation.

The route is customizable: your guide works with you on what matters most for your day, and can add stops or surprises along the way. Because it's a long day finishing late, it's not recommended for young children, though infants can travel in a pram or stroller if needed. All entrance tickets to the attractions and meals are at your own expense.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a car with a large sunroof.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• snacks during the tour.
• hotel or port pickup and return to your accommodation.

Options for this experience

2 options

Winery toursGuide in English · 29 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 23:30Pickup is included

A larger vehicle is available if requiredGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 13:00, the last at 15:00For 8 passengers, a larger vehicle is provided at your expense. Animal park or winery visits for 3 to 8 people: I usually use an SUV suited to 3 passengers, but for a bigger group I hire a 7-seater. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and Saturday29 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 23:30

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ozz Private Tours Melbourne

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see native Australian wildlife and the penguin parade without arranging separate transport or timing. Your guide handles the route, the stops and the logistics so you focus on the animals and the ocean.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on this Melbourne tour?

Moonlit Sanctuary holds indigenous Australian marsupials including dingoes, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras and parrots. At the Nobbies boardwalk on Phillip Island, you'll see swamp wallabies, Cape Barron geese and other local creatures in the wild. The penguin parade at sunset is the day's centerpiece. You watch the little penguins return from the ocean as darkness falls.

How much time do I spend at each stop?

The day is structured around the penguin parade timing at sunset, so your guide adjusts the pace at Moonlit Sanctuary and the Nobbies boardwalk to fit. You have time to eat and walk the beach before the parade begins. Travel time between stops is included in the ten-hour total.

What is the Nobbies boardwalk like?

The Nobbies is the southerly point of Phillip Island with a boardwalk that overlooks the wild ocean. From there you can see the beach below where surfers ride, and spot wallabies and geese on the surrounding land. It's an open-air walk with fresh ocean breeze and views across the water.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point?

No. Your guide picks you up from your hotel or the port and handles all driving for the day, so you don't need to use public transport or arrange separate rides. The car is private and seats your group.

What happens after the penguin parade?

Once the penguin parade ends, your guide drives you back to your accommodation. Because the parade happens at sunset and the day runs about ten hours total, you'll arrive back tired but having seen Melbourne's wildlife from the sanctuary to the ocean.