Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour: Wildlife Golden Hour Pickup

Thousands of Little Penguins waddle ashore in the dark while you watch from the viewing platform.

A small-group guided tour of Phillip Island departing from your accommodation, combining the Nobbies Centre's golden-hour wildlife boardwalk with entry to the world-renowned Penguin Parade at dusk. The tour runs 5 hours and includes pickup and return from Phillip Island or San Remo, a local guide, complimentary sparkling wine, and general viewing access to the penguin return. Dinner at the Penguin Parade is at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Nobbies Centre1h · entry included
2. Penguin Parade2h · entry included

Phillip Island Penguin Express Tour

• Pickup from accommodation
• Explore Cowes seaside village
• Visit Nobbies Centre at golden hour
• Drive through wildlife-rich region at dusk
• Watch Little Penguins at Penguin Parade
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The tour begins with pickup from your Phillip Island or San Remo accommodation and settles you into a midi coach with a guaranteed window seat and WiFi for the drive ahead. Your local guide steers the route through the island's coastal landscape, stopping first in Cowes to walk the sandy beach along The Esplanade and browse the village shops at a pace that suits the group. From there, the coach heads to the Nobbies Centre as the sun descends over Bass Strait, where you walk the elevated boardwalks with 360-degree ocean views. The golden hour light frames wallabies grazing on clifftops, Cape Barren geese, seabirds, and echidnas in the coastal vegetation. The boardwalk also overlooks Seal Rocks, where up to 16,000 Australian fur seals are visible. Back on the coach, complimentary sparkling wine arrives as the sun sets over the Southern Ocean.

The drive to the Penguin Parade crosses one of Phillip Island's most wildlife-rich regions as twilight deepens. Your guide points out wallabies and other native animals becoming active at dusk from your window seat. At Summerland Beach, you arrive as dusk settles and have time to explore the Visitor Centre facilities. The onsite restaurant is available if you want dinner (at your own cost). Then you settle into the general viewing platform to watch the spectacle: hundreds to thousands of Little Penguins emerge from Bass Strait and waddle across the sand to their burrows. Your guide provides expert commentary on penguin behavior and the conservation work protecting Victoria's largest Little Penguin colony. The return journey takes you back to your original pickup point, completing the five-hour loop.

What’s included

• Small-group tour with a maximum of 15 guests and a local guide in English.
• pickup and return from your Phillip Island or San Remo accommodation.
• a guaranteed window seat on the WiFi-equipped midi coach.
• entry to the Penguin Parade general viewing platform.
• the Nobbies Centre golden-hour boardwalk experience with wildlife viewing.
• complimentary sparkling wine served on board after sunset.
• and access to Cowes village for beach walks and local shops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Way Tours

Is this one for you?The five-hour commitment leaves room for a morning or afternoon activity elsewhere on the island, but rules out a full day trip to Melbourne or the Dandenong Ranges. Book this if you're based on Phillip Island or nearby and want to see the penguins without the logistics of a long drive from the city.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What wildlife will I actually see on the Nobbies boardwalk?

The Nobbies Centre boardwalks overlook Seal Rocks, where up to 16,000 Australian fur seals gather. You'll also spot wallabies on the clifftops, Cape Barren geese (one of Australia's rarest waterbirds), seabirds, and echidnas in the coastal vegetation during the golden hour.

How many penguins return to shore at the Penguin Parade?

Hundreds to thousands of Little Penguins emerge from Bass Strait and waddle across Summerland Beach to their burrows each evening. The Penguin Parade protects Victoria's largest Little Penguin colony.

Is this tour only for people staying in Melbourne?

No, pickup is included only from Phillip Island or San Remo accommodation. The tour does not depart from Melbourne, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to the island first or stay locally.

What's included in the tour price?

Entry to the Penguin Parade general viewing, pickup and return from your accommodation, a local guide, complimentary sparkling wine after the Nobbies, WiFi on the coach, and a guaranteed window seat. Dinner at the Penguin Parade is at your own cost.

How big is the group on this tour?

The small group stays at a maximum of 15 guests with one engaging local guide, so you get authentic travel without the crowds of larger tours.