Phillip Island Private Tour: Penguin Parade at Sunset

Cape Woolamai, penguin burrows at the Nobbies, and penguins arriving at dusk

A fully private, guided tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island with a local guide and luxury vehicle for up to six passengers. You visit Cape Woolamai's ocean headland and surf beach, explore the Nobbies to spot penguin burrows and wallabies, then watch little penguins stroll in off the beach at the Penguin Parade at sunset with general viewing tickets included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Penguin Parade1h · entry included
2. Nobbies Centre30m · entry included
3. Cape Woolamai30m · entry included

Phillip Island wildlife and scenery tour

• Travel to Phillip Island
• Visit Cape Woolamai beach
• Gaze over peninsula vistas
• Explore island landscapes at sunset
• View Nobbies and Summerlands Peninsula
• Watch penguins arrive at sunset

The experience

The tour departs Melbourne and heads to Phillip Island, where a local guide shapes the day around what you want to see. You'll stop at the Nobbies Centre on the Summerlands Peninsula to look for penguin burrows, Cape Barren Geese, and Swamp wallabies hopping across the landscape, with views south toward Bass Strait. Cape Woolamai comes next: a majestic headland with a stunning ocean surf beach where you can watch local surfers when the swell is up. The guide points out the island's landscapes as the sun moves lower, and if the sky clears, you'll have a chance to spot the Southern Cross and the Milky Way.

The day ends at the Penguin Parade visitor center at sunset, where you watch little penguins arrive from the ocean and stroll back to their burrows on the beach. General viewing tickets are included, so there's no separate entry fee. You'll have bottled water throughout the drive in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the whole experience runs nine hours from pickup in Melbourne.

What’s included

• Local Melbourne guide.
• luxury air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• general viewing tickets to the Penguin Parade.
• pickup from Melbourne for up to six passengers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Marks Private Melbourne Tours

Is this one for you?At nine hours, the tour leaves the rest of your day free if you're based in Melbourne, though it's a full commitment if you're fitting it between other activities. The private format means the guide adjusts the pace and stops to your group's interests, so you're not locked into a fixed itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What wildlife will I actually see on Phillip Island?

The Nobbies is where you'll spot penguin burrows, Cape Barren Geese, and Swamp wallabies. Cape Woolamai offers views of local surfers and the ocean headland. The Penguin Parade at sunset is the main event. You watch the little penguins come ashore and head to their nests on the beach.

Does the tour include entry to the Penguin Parade?

Yes, general viewing tickets to the Penguin Parade are included in the tour price, so you don't pay separately at the gate.

Can I customize what we do on the day?

The tour is fully private and customized to your interests, so the guide will work with you to shape the stops and timing around what matters most to your group.

How long is the tour and when does it start?

The tour runs nine hours from Melbourne, with pickup included. It's timed to end at the Penguin Parade at sunset, when the penguins arrive.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes pickup from Melbourne, a local guide, a luxury air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and general viewing tickets to the Penguin Parade. It accommodates up to six passengers.