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Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Wildlife Tour - Hot Tips & Insider Advice from a Local Guide
- Cloe Prosdocimo
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Wildlife Tour - Hot Tips & Insider Advice from a Local Guide
Meet Your Local Guide
Hi, I'm Cloe, and I'm a tour guide with Go West Tours! We run local tours from Melbourne to the top scenic spots in Victoria. Is it your first time in Australia, and you want to see our iconic animals? Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, little penguins and more? Then Phillip Island is the tour for you!
Most tourists are solely interested in seeing the Penguin Parade, but that’s only one of the many highlights of this region. If you’re short on time and want to book the express afternoon tour, then you can - 👉 Click here. Personally, I think the 2-hour bus trip from Melbourne is a bit of a slog if you're only seeing the Penguin Parade, then turning around for another 2-hour drive home. That's why I recommend our full-day Phillip Island tour. More stops, more Aussie animals, more fun!
What to Expect on the Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Wildlife Day Tour
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour is a full-day tour that starts in Melbourne and drives through the scenic Gippsland region on the way to Phillip Island. It’s perfect for travellers who want to see a variety of native Australian animals and enjoy the Penguin Parade, without the burden of having to book accommodation on the island or drive 2 hours back to the city in the dark.
On this tour you will see:
Brighton beach boxes
Moonlit Sanctuary - a chance to see kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, emus, snakes, lizards, quokka, tasmanian devils, dingoes and more
Nobbies scenic boardwalk
Penguin Parade!
My Favourite Part of the Tour
My favourite thing about this tour is getting to see guests from all over the world experience our wacky native animals for the first time. Guests are always impressed with the array of animals and birdlife at Moonlit Sanctuary, and your guide will give you all the best tips to beat the crowds and see the most penguins at the parade.
Insider Tips to Make the Most of Your Day
Bring extra warm clothes with you! Even the hottest days in Melbourne can have an unexpected cool change, and jackets/jumpers from the souvenir store are expensive (the souvenir blankets are a cheaper option if you don’t feel warm enough).
You can buy food for the kangaroos and wallabies for $3 a pot at Moonlit Sanctuary. On hot days and school holidays, sometimes the kangaroos can be full or lazy, so share a pot of food between 2-3 people, it will be plenty!
Don’t get caught up in needing to be right at the front of the Penguin Parade to get the “best seats”. People arrive hours early to be right up the front, but the seated viewing area isn’t even the best place to view the penguins. You’ll get the best view of the penguins on the boardwalks on your way back to the visitors centre. Your tour guide will give you all the best tips on where to see the most penguins, so listen closely.
Penguin Parade Ticket Options Explained
There are a few ticket options for the Penguin Parade. The standard option is general admission. If you don’t like crowds you can upgrade to Penguins Plus for a slightly more secluded viewing area. The most premium upgrade is Underground viewing. This is a great option in winter to get out of the cold and potential rain, but you can’t see the beach or the sunset from the underground viewing area, so I recommend Penguins Plus over the underground. For those on a budget, you will still see plenty of penguins with a general admission ticket - this is the ticket type I would choose for myself to save the extra $$ for souvenirs or beers!
Who is this Tour Good for?
This tour is great for people of all ages. Tours such as the Great Ocean Road or Grampians have long drive times that can be tiring for small kids. This tour is our best kid-friendly option, with lots of time off the bus and a chance to interact with wildlife. It is also one of our tours that is suitable for people with limited mobility; wheelchairs are available to use at Moonlit Sanctuary and the Penguin Parade. Keeping in mind our 24 seater mini buses do have a few small steps to get on and off the bus, and there is no excess storage space for prams, walkers or wheelchairs, these will have to be left at home.
Self-Drive or Guided Tour? Here’s the Honest Answer
A common question people have is, should I self-drive or take a guided tour? The Phillip Island Penguin Parade is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Victoria. This means it is often booked out during peak periods. Booking a tour gives you the freedom to sit back and relax, knowing that everything is taken care of. Your guide will also have a wealth of knowledge about the areas you visit and will be able to give you the insider tips on how to beat the crowds. Most importantly, you can have a nap after your big day out while your guide gets you safely back to Melbourne.
Ready to Experience Phillip Island the Easy Way?
If you’re looking for a fun, smooth experience with friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, I recommend booking the tour below.
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade day tour is a full day of experiencing the great natural beauty and wildlife experiences that Victoria has to offer. Jump aboard a bus, sit back and relax while your experienced tour guide takes you on a hassle-free adventure.
Written by Cloe Prosdocimo
Victorian Tour Guide & Travel Writer for Wander Explore Discover
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