Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Seal Rocks from Melbourne
Two Wildlife Hotspots in One Day: Seals, Cliffs & Penguins at Dusk
You travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island, spend the afternoon on clifftop boardwalks overlooking fur seal colonies and flowering sea bird gardens, then settle in to watch hundreds of little penguins return to shore at dusk. Park entry, transport, guide and WiFi on board are all included. The tour wraps around 9pm-midnight depending on season.
Step-by-step itinerary
Phillip Island wildlife and Penguin Parade
- Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island
- Visit Nobbies and Seal Rocks boardwalk
- View fur seal colony and sea bird gardens
- Explore Penguin Parade visitor centre
- Walk paths to spot resting penguins
- Watch little penguins waddle ashore at dusk
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel or central Melbourne pickup, air-conditioned transport with WiFi on board, a friendly and informative tour guide, general viewing entry fees at the Penguin Parade, and all park entry fees.
- You'll spend the afternoon exploring the clifftop boardwalks at the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, then settle in for the nightly Penguin Parade as dusk falls.
- The tour returns to Melbourne around 9pm to midnight depending on the season.
Times
- Every day 14:45
Before you book
Operated by Bunyip Tours
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
So you've got one day and you want to see actual penguins, not in a zoo, but doing their thing on a real beach. That's the whole point of this Phillip Island tour from Melbourne. You're not just driving out and back. You're hitting two separate spots that most people don't know exist together, and the timing is built so you catch the penguins when they actually come ashore, which is at dusk. The day starts with a pickup from Melbourne, then you head down to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks first, where there's a clifftop boardwalk that opens up to Phillip Island's wild south coast. You're standing there looking out at one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies: hundreds of them on the rocks below, and the boardwalk takes you through natural sea bird gardens. If you go in spring, there are flowering displays all over the place, which sounds like filler until you're actually standing there.
After the Nobbies, you head to the Penguin Parade itself. There's a brand new visitors centre where you can learn what these little penguins actually do. They feed at sea all day and come back to their burrows at night to mate, care for their young, and moult. You get time to walk the paths and boardwalks, and sometimes you'll spot one that stayed behind, just tucked into a burrow. Then as dusk falls (and this is the part everyone comes for) bands of little penguins splash out of the water onto Summerland Beach and waddle up toward their burrows. It sounds simple, but watching it happen, hundreds of them moving across the sand in the fading light, is genuinely something. Your guide is there the whole time, friendly and informative, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters because you're sitting in it for hours. The tour returns to Melbourne around 9pm to midnight depending on the season, so you're not getting back at some crazy hour.
One thing to know: photography and video aren't allowed at the Penguin Parade itself, so you can't film the penguins coming ashore. That's a rule the park enforces to protect the birds and keep the viewing experience calm. You also can't bring large bags, strollers, prams, luggage or walkers on board the vehicle, so travel light. Service animals are fine, and if you're traveling with an infant, specialized infant seats are available. The whole day is designed so you don't have to arrange transport, park entry, or figure out timing yourself. It's all included, and the guide handles the logistics.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see little penguins in their natural habitat without arranging your own transport, park tickets or timing. The full-day structure is what lets you hit both wildlife sites and still catch the penguins when they actually come ashore.
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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 day tour?
The tour runs the full day from Melbourne, returning around 9pm to midnight depending on the season. Total time on the road and at attractions is roughly 8–10 hours.
Can I take photos at the Penguin Parade?
No. Photography and video are not permitted at the Penguin Parade to protect the penguins and maintain a calm viewing environment.
What's included in the tour price?
Park entry fees, general viewing entry at the Penguin Parade, air-conditioned transport, a friendly and informative guide, and WiFi on board.
Can I bring a stroller or large bag?
No. Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage and walkers cannot be brought on board the vehicle. Travel with a small day pack only.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.
What time do the penguins come ashore?
The Penguin Parade happens at dusk, which varies by season. The tour is timed to catch this event, and you'll be there as the light fades.
Is there a visitors centre at the Penguin Parade?
Yes. There's a brand new visitors centre where you can learn about the little penguins' daily lives and behaviour before the parade begins.
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. There are boardwalks and paths to walk, but the pace is relaxed and you can move at your own speed.
What if I'm traveling with an infant?
Specialized infant seats are available on the vehicle. However, large prams and baby capsules cannot be brought on board.
Is public transport available to get to the tour?
Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer not to arrange a private pickup.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Seal Rocks from Melbourne
8h–10h · EN
from AU$ 135 per person
≈ US$ 96 in your currency
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