Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

Hundreds of Little Penguins waddle ashore at dusk, and you're standing on the beach to watch it happen.

A full-day wildlife tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island combines four distinct stops: Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (with a koala presentation and wallaby walk), Cape Woolamai Surf Beach on the southern coast, Seal Rocks and the Nobbies (home to Australia's largest fur seal colony), and the Penguin Parade at dusk. Hotel pickup from Melbourne is included, as is entry to Moonlit Sanctuary and general admission to the Penguin Parade. The tour runs 12 to 14 hours and travels by air-conditioned coach with a live English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Moonlit Sanctuary1h 30m · entry included
2. Cape Woolamai30m
3. Penguin Parade2h · entry included

Phillip Island Wildlife and Penguin Parade

• Visit Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park
• See koala presentation and wallabies
• Stop at Cape Woolamai Surf Beach
• Explore Nobbies boardwalks and seal colony
• Enjoy Penguin Parade at dusk

The experience

The day starts with Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where a ranger leads a daily koala presentation and you walk among wallabies: some with joeys visible in their mothers' pouches. The park gives you time to encounter kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, reptiles and bird life up close, though close contact with koalas or wallabies carries an additional fee paid directly at the sanctuary.

From there the tour moves to Cape Woolamai, a spectacular beach on Phillip Island's southern coast exposed to ocean swells (visited during summer season only). The water here often holds dolphins or seals, and the beach itself is a break from the wildlife park rhythm. Next comes Seal Rocks and the Nobbies, where boardwalks offer panoramic coastal views and a chance to spot Australia's largest fur seal colony lazing on the rocks or hunting offshore.

The Penguin Parade closes the day. Your guide gives you time to explore the visitor centre, wander the paths and boardwalks looking for penguins in their burrows, and then position yourself for dusk when hundreds of Little Penguins emerge from the ocean and cross the beach to their sand dune burrows. Photography and video are not permitted during the parade itself. Large bags, strollers, prams and luggage cannot be brought on board. If you're traveling with an infant, contact the operator directly to request a specialized infant seat.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Melbourne.
• entry to Moonlit Sanctuary and a guided tour of the exhibits.
• a ranger-led koala presentation.
• access to Cape Woolamai beach, Seal Rocks and the Nobbies boardwalks.
• general admission to the Penguin Parade.
• an air-conditioned coach.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• and WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to1h before

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

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, 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 19 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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bunyip Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting Melbourne without a car and want to experience four different habitats (from wallabies and koalas to the Penguin Parade) in a single day with hotel pickup included.

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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.

What animals will I actually see on this Phillip Island tour?

Moonlit Sanctuary holds koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, reptiles and bird life. At Seal Rocks you'll spot Australia's largest fur seal colony from the boardwalks. Cape Woolamai's waters often have dolphins or seals. The Penguin Parade features hundreds of Little Penguins returning to shore at dusk.

Is the Penguin Parade included in this tour, or do I pay separately?

General admission to the Penguin Parade is included in the tour price. Your guide gives you time to explore the visitor centre and the boardwalks before the parade begins at dusk.

How long is this tour, and what time does it start and finish?

The tour runs 12 to 14 hours total. Hotel pickup from Melbourne is included, though specific departure and return times depend on your pickup location and the operator's schedule.

Can I get close to koalas or wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary?

You walk among the wallabies and may see joeys in their mothers' pouches. Close contact with koalas or wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary requires an additional fee paid directly to the sanctuary, not included in the tour price.

What should I know about visiting Cape Woolamai?

Cape Woolamai is a spectacular beach on Phillip Island's southern coast with impressive ocean swells. The tour visits this stop during summer season only, so it may not be included if you're traveling in winter months.

Can I take photos during the Penguin Parade?

Photography and video are not permitted during the Penguin Parade itself. You can photograph the visitor centre, the boardwalks and the surrounding landscape, but not the penguins during the parade.