Penguin Parade Tours
Phillip Island is brimming with memorable wildlife experiences, but its headline act is the nightly Penguin Parade. Each night at dusk, thousands of little penguins—the largest colony in Australia of the world’s smallest penguin breed—can be seen along the shores of Summerland Beach, waddling back to their beachside burrows after a day at sea.
The Basics
Watching the nightly Penguin Parade is a popular pastime for visitors to Phillip Island, and a dedicated viewing area and elevated boardwalks allow spectators to admire the birds without disturbing their natural activity. There are three self-guided viewing options available: general viewing, which allows access to the viewing stand overlooking the beach; the penguins-plus viewing area, which offers a much closer look at the penguins; and the underground viewing area, which lets you view the penguins at eye level. Guided Penguin Parade tours offer greater insight into the penguins and their daily routine.
Many Phillip Island tours and day trips from Melbourne include entrance to the Penguin Parade, often alongside other island attractions such as the Nobbies, the Phillip Island Wildlife Park, or Churchill Island.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an admission fee to enter the viewing area, and advance bookings are essential. Children under 4 are free.
- There is a visitor center, café, restrooms, and free parking at the Penguin Parade site.
- Bring warm clothing as it can get chilly along the seafront at night, even in the summer.
- In order to protect the penguins from flashes and lights, no photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade.
- The Penguin Parade viewing areas and boardwalks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
The Penguin Parade takes place at Summerland Beach on Phillip Island, 87 miles (140 kilometers) south of and less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne, off the Mornington Peninsula. Once on the island, it’s a further 20-minute drive to Summerland Beach, depending on traffic. The site is easy to find, off the C473 road and just five minutes from the Nobbies. There is no public transport to the beach, so if you don’t have your own car, it’s best to join a tour.
When to Get There
The Penguin Parade takes place daily year-round at sunset, which can be as early as 5:15pm in June or as late as 8:45pm in December. It’s recommended to arrive an hour before sunset to ensure a good viewing spot—seats are not allocated.
Wildlife Experiences on Phillip Island
Animal lovers will find plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities around Phillip Island. Head to the Koala Conservation Centre to spot koalas, wallabies, and echidnas free-roaming in natural bushlands; admire Australia’s largest colony of fur seals at Seal Rocks; or set sail on a whale-watching cruise from Cowes Jetty (May–October only). You can also spot Aussie animals such as kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park or meet farmyard animals and watch sheepshearing demonstrations at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
Address: 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerland, VIC, Australia 3922, Australia
Admission: Varies
9 Tours and Activities to Experience Penguin Parade
Sort by:Featured

Phillip Island Tour Including Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Farming, surfing, and penguin parades make Phillip Island one of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations. With this tour, see a lot of what the island has to offer while letting someone else take care of planning and driving. Start with coastal sightseeing—heading off the island as far as the Kilcunda Coastal Reserve—and continue to seal colony lookouts, a cheese factory, a sheep farm, and more. Finish by watching penguins waddle home after sunset.
…More
From
$152.90
From
$152.90

Private Tour: Phillip Island, Penguin Parade and Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park from Melbourne
Journey to Phillip Island for a day filled with spectacular vistas and amazing wildlife encounters. On this private tour from Melbourne, visit the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park to observe sleepy koalas in their natural habitat and meet several Australian native animals such as wallabies, kangaroos and colorful birds and reptiles. As dusk falls, witness one of nature’s most adorable spectacles at the Penguin Parade, when hundreds of tiny fairy penguins waddle out of the ocean and make their way across a local beach to their burrows. Enjoy the personalized attention of your guide and request customized stops to suit your interests.
…More
From
$479.07
Price varies by group size
From
$479.07
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Phillip Island Helicopter Tour
Soar over the golden sands and rugged sea cliffs of Phillip Island on exhilarating various helicopter flights. Choose between seven sensational itineraries and see the surf hotspot of Cape Woolamai, the famous Grand Prix Circuit or Port Phillip Bay on the Mornington Peninsula. Soak up magnificent aerial views of landmarks like the Red Rocks Point, the Nobbies and San Remo Bridge, or spot wildlife wonders like the penguins at Summerland Beach or the Australian Fur Seals lounging on Seal Rocks.
…More
From
$75.61
From
$75.61
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Phillip Island Penguin Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne
See the Penguin Parade and other natural treasures of Phillip Island on a full-day tour from Melbourne and St. Kilda. Hand-feed kangaroos under staff supervision and learn about Australian wildlife such as koalas, wombats, and wallabies at the Maru Koala and Animal Park. See Cape Woolamai and the Nobbies, then get ready to watch the penguins parade home around sunset. Upgrade to include admission tickets to the Eureka Skydeck and Edge Experience in Melbourne.
…More
From
$113.69
From
$113.69
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

2 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Penguin Parade
This exclusively private two day tour includes paid entry to some of the island most popular attractions, including the Penguin Parade, Churchill island and the koala conservation centre. Plus, also choose one ''Optional Extra'' on each day of the tour (e.g. Wildlife Park, Winery etc)
We make a stop for wild wallaby spotting, visit some stunning beaches, a winery and undertake some beautiful walks.
**Please note that our visit includes your entry ticket to the 'standard viewing platform' at the Penguin Parade. Upgraded tickets to 'Penguins Plus' this will be an additional $30 p/person & subject to availability.
We have a modern comfy fleet of vehicles 2018 models complete with USB chargers, air conditioning and tinted UV protected windows.
Departure times vary during the year and range from 9:00am - 11:30am.
And as our tours are fully tailored to the guest experience, we recommend you to discuss these tour options pre-booking.
…More
From
$747.10
Price varies by group size
From
$747.10
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Melbourne Attractions Pass Including Melbourne Zoo, Hop-on Hop-off Bus and SEA LIFE Aquarium
Enjoy the Melbourne attractions and activities that interest you most with this flexible attractions pass. There are multiple options to choose from to suit your schedule—select a pass that offers unlimited attractions for a set number of days, or select a flexi pass that offers a set number of attractions within a longer time period. Then explore Melbourne however you wish, choosing from more than 25 experiences such as the zoo, Eureka Skydeck, a city sightseeing tour, a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train or entry to Healesville Sanctuary.
…More
From
$85.46
From
$85.46
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

E-Bike hire Super Cruzer in Phillip Island
Our E Bikes allow you to explore destinations that a standard bike can't access. (i.e. Beach, non paved roads)
These remote loactions open up possibilities to view local wildlife, fauna and flora and beautiful views at your own leisure.
…More
From
$54.89
From
$54.89
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Day Tour of Phillip Island Nature Parks & Penguins
Experience Phillip Island’s best scenery and most adorable critters on this day trip that makes it easy to get around without renting a car. There’s fun for all ages at the Antarctic Journey exhibits and Churchill Island heritage farm, plus some of the best views in Victoria from the Bass Coast and Summerland Beach. See wildlife in action at the Koala Conservation Center and with premium seating at the famous Penguin Parade, a nightly phenomenon where penguins waddle across the beach to their burrows.
…More
From
$134.41
From
$134.41
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Phillip Island Full Day Tour from Melbourne
Discover the beautiful Phillip Island on a full-day tour from Melbourne. Take a walk along the coast at Cape Woolamai then head to Cowes Town for a delicious picnic lunch at the Esplanade. End the tour by observing the world’s smallest penguin in its natural habitat during the famous “Penguin Parade” that has made Phillip Island so popular.
…More
From
$50.89
From
$50.89
Things to do near Phillip Island
- Things to do in Victoria
- Things to do in Mornington Peninsula
- Things to do in Melbourne
- Things to do in Yarra Valley
- Things to do in Ballarat
- Things to do in Great Ocean Road
- Things to do in Burnie
- Things to do in Hobart
- Things to do in Seven Mile Beach
- Things to do in Adelaide
- Things to do in Sydney
- Things to do in Tasmania
- Things to do in South Australia
- Things to do in Port Arthur
- Things to do in New South Wales