Ticket options
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| General Viewing | Tiered seating on the beach, walk the boardwalks after | Budget, families |
| Penguins Plus | Viewing platform closer to the penguins’ path | Better views without a big price jump |
| Underground Viewing | Eye-level windows on the sand dunes | Kids and close-ups |
| Guided ranger tours | Small groups, private beach area, binoculars or headsets | Wildlife fans |
Prices change by season and option, so check the official site, Phillip Island Nature Parks. A combined pass also covers the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies.
What time do the penguins arrive?
The penguins come ashore just after sunset, so the time changes through the year: often after 8:30pm in summer and around 5:30–6pm in winter. The visitor centre opens before that. Be in your seat about an hour before sunset; the parade itself lasts roughly an hour as groups (“rafts”) of penguins land and waddle to their burrows.
How to get to Phillip Island
Guided tour
Most visitors join an afternoon tour from Melbourne. Tours usually add the koalas, the Nobbies boardwalk and sometimes a wildlife park, and return around 11pm. Expect roughly A$110–200 per person depending on the ticket included.
Find tours & tickets in MelbourneBy car
The drive is about 140 km via the M1 and the Bass Highway, around 2 hours. Driving lets you explore the island’s beaches and the Nobbies at your own pace, but the drive back at night needs care: watch for wildlife.
By public transport
V/Line coaches run from Melbourne to Cowes, the main town, but there is no public transport to the Penguin Parade itself, so you’d need a taxi or to stay overnight.
Other things to do on Phillip Island
- Koala Conservation Reserve: treetop boardwalks to see koalas in the wild.
- The Nobbies: clifftop boardwalks and views of Seal Rocks, home to a large fur seal colony.
- Churchill Island: a heritage farm reached by a bridge.
- Cowes: a seaside town with cafés and a calm swimming beach.
- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit: home of the MotoGP.
Tips
- Bring a warm jacket, even in summer: the beach is very windy after dark.
- Photography is banned to protect the penguins’ eyes; enjoy the moment.
- Stay on the boardwalks after the parade and look down: penguins walk right under them.
- Book in advance in summer, Easter and school holidays.
Make it part of a longer trip with our Melbourne itinerary.
More Melbourne guides
- Melbourne travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Melbourne
- Melbourne itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Melbourne
- Best time to visit Melbourne
- Melbourne Airport to the city
- Great Ocean Road day trip
- Australia ETA and eVisitor
FAQ: Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Is the Penguin Parade worth it?
Yes, it is one of Australia’s most memorable wildlife experiences, especially for families.
Can you see the penguins every night?
Yes, the penguins come ashore every night of the year, although numbers vary by season.
Can you take photos at the Penguin Parade?
No. Photos and video are not allowed at any viewing area, because camera light can harm the penguins.
Can you do Phillip Island as a day trip?
Yes. Most tours leave Melbourne in the early afternoon and return late in the evening.
Plan your trip to Melbourne
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
