Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Ticket prices, times & is it worth it?

The Phillip Island Penguin Parade near Melbourne is one of the cutest wildlife encounters in Australia. Every evening, dozens of little penguins scuttle up the beach on the Summerland Peninsula, then waddle home to their nests.

In the underground bunker on Phillip Island, avid penguin-watchers wait. Some eyes are gazing out the window, in anticipation of what’s to come. Others are on the big screen at the back, showing footage from the camera trained at the water’s edge.

Don’t miss out – book your Penguin Parade ticket in advance.

Suddenly, there’s movement on the Summerland Peninsula. A tiny figure tumbles out of the gentle surf onto the beach. And it’s followed by several more. The little penguins gather together, nervously scanning the horizon for predators, then begin their scuttling march for home.

History of Phillip Island’s penguins

This was once a scene that would happen all over Phillip Island, a 90 minute drive and popular day trip from Melbourne. But humans, their introduced pests and their urban development got in the way until there was only one colony left. That colony was saved just in time – in the 1980s, the Summerland housing estate that threatened to take over the island’s south-western peninsula was bought back and given over to nature. Pest eradication measures were put in place, and boardwalks were built so that penguin-loving humans wouldn’t trample all over the penguin habitat.

It has worked – nowadays, hundreds of penguins can be seen waddling home from a hard day’s fishing. And, every evening, thousands of people can watch them do so.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade from the underground bunker

This can make the ordinary viewing platforms rather crowded, but a recent innovation has seen an underground bunker with glass windows built, so those prepared to pay extra can watch the penguins come past at eye level.

The anticipation is all part of the experience. The penguins don’t rush for home immediately – they huddle and move like a small co-ordinated army. But eventually, they make a break for it, climbing up the rocks and toddling along the path towards their nests in the vegetation-covered dunes.

Some of those nests are already occupied with fluffy little chicks. The parents are taking it in turns to babysit – one goes out fishing, and the other stays home. But the families will be reunited every evening if the penguins can manage the journey of up to a mile from the water’s edge. That’s quite a journey on little legs.

Waddling little penguins on Phillip Island, Victoria

When they finally do come past the window, it’s the cutest sight imaginable. The little penguins are the smallest of all the penguin species – they’re about 30cm high – and their knees are fused so they can’t bend their legs. This leads to the back-and-forth waddling technique that’s so instantly adorable.

It also helps that some are preparing for the moulting season, so have been stocking up on food in preparation for a three week period when their wings aren’t waterproofed and they can’t go fishing. This means some of them are comically fat, and regularly flop over onto their bellies when scurrying past.

To find a travel experience that’s cute is one thing. To find one that is so consistently funny is another. The cooing from the viewing den alternates with the sound of laughter. And the sheer, simplistic joy continues as the penguins arrive in waves. As one group heads for home, another gathers at the shoreline, and they keep on coming for around an hour. And, just occasionally, one stops to check out the eyes behind the glass, willing him on.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade prices

Phillip Island is one of the best islands in Australia for visitors. Several tour operators offer Phillip Island tours from Melbourne that incorporate the Penguin Parade. One popular day tour from Melbourne costs from $145 and also includes the Phillip Island Koala Sanctuary.

If self-driving to Phillip Island, tickets to watch the Penguin Parade cost from $27.70. That’s for the general viewing area. To view the penguins from the underground bunker, it costs $75.

5 Phillip Island experiences to book before arriving

1. The legendary Penguin Parade – watch dozens of little penguins waddle home from the sea.
2. Seal-watching cruise – visit Australia’s largest fur seal colony.
3. Phillip Island helicopter tour – fly above the beaches and dramatic sea cliffs.
4. Whale-watching cruise – with dolphins, seals and rare sea birds on the way.
5. Phillip Island Chocolate Factory tour – with more than a touch of Willy Wonka.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade opening times

The Phillip Island Penguin Parade visitor centre opens at 17.00, and the penguins tend to arrive at sunset. Visitors are advised to arrive an hour before sunset. Obviously, the exact timing of this depends on the time of year.

Other wildlife-viewing opportunities include a Phillip Island whale-watching cruise around Cape Woolamai in the winter months. That said, the Phillip Island weather is better in summer.

On a rainy day, you can explore Phillip Island’s indulgent side at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, Purple Hen Winery and Rusty Water Brewery.

Little penguins can also be viewed at Penguin Island near Rockingham in the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. If you’re lucky, you can see penguins in Sydney, too.

More wildlife experiences in Victoria

Kayaking with seals from Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.

Visit the koalas and kangaroos of Ulupna Island by the Murray River near Tocumwal.

The wildlife of Gunbower National Park.

Seeing kangaroos in Halls Gap, the Grampians.

Echidnas and more at Tower Hill in Koroit near Warrnambool.