Penguin Parade image

Penguin Parade

Tourist attraction Nature preserve Wildlife park Wildlife rescue service

One of the Top rateds in Summerlands


Address

1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia

Website

www.penguins.org.au

Contact

+61 3 5951 2800

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (9.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Sunday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Monday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Tuesday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Wednesday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Thursday: 4 to 8 pm
  • Friday: 4 to 8 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: penguins (106) experience (39) beach (27) Penguin (25) viewing (24) penguin (23) photos (22) amazing (19) great (19) sunset (17)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Habibul H. 2 years ago on Google
    First of all you need to be patient to see the penguins. They arrive after the sunsets. Too cold out there. Make sure u take your jacket, blankets and bunny. The penguins are too adorable. Friendly staffs there. The best part is beautiful atmosphere and amazing view. Specially on the way back the bush looks out of the world with the lights. Apart from penguins u can also see the kangaroos. They are also cute enough to make your day. If you are visiting Phillip Island, u don't miss this exciting event.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anish N. 8 months ago on Google • 20 reviews
    As of me, it was the first visit. Very creative and informative displays and decoration. I really felt good after seeing the effort done for keeping the habitat of the penguins safe. The staff were friendly and helpful. The only thing is that you need to have patience to see the penguins. Have some warm jackets or blankets to keep you safe from cold. I would suggest to people who want to visit here, go for the very first row and sit left hand side of the sitting place for better view. I couldn't see from the sitting place due to the crowd standing even though the people were advised to sit. However, I had good sightings when I was returning back from the path walk. I suggest the sitting arrangement must be improved so that everyone can enjoy the penguins coming back from the ocean. Will recommend everyone to visit, especially if you kids.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Oryna I. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience! You will see penguins exiting the water in the evening and going to feed their kids. Beware: it is forbidden to take photos of them. Also, it is usually dark, so the seeing is not the best. As well, the guards are rather strict, and you should sit quiet all the time. Might be hard for very young children.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tua A. 3 years ago on Google
    Make sure to be prepared, as in check the weather. Bring an umbrella and extra layers or thick coat because it gets really cold. The penguin showing is quite late , around 8.30pm, it depends as the penguins only come out when night falls when they feel safe. You are not allowed to take any photos of the penguins. They were so small and adorable , but expect to wait awhile. We chose general viewing which was the cheapest option and about $30 , but I was able to see the penguins closely on the walk back. It's definitely an experience , something different to enjoy in Melbourne.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yu Xuan Y. 1 year ago on Google
    An amazing place, you get to see the mesmerising sunset sky before the penguins arrive. It is hard to see the penguin come in from the beach but once they make their way back to the bushes you can see them clearly. One thing to note is that flash photography is not allowed so it can be tough to get a nice picture of the penguins. After looking at the penguins you can tilt your head up a little a enjoy the vast amount of stars. It is extremely cold during winter too!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin Nguyen (. 3 months ago on Google • 352 reviews New
    We booked the Ultimate Adventure Tour and are we glad we did! They took us down to a beach that our group had down to ourselves. We all had night vision goggles as the Little Penguins scurried up the beach within feet from us. We also got a chance to walk through the Little Penguin colony back to the main building. Be sure to book early as the Ultimate Adventure Tour may fill up months early! Of our 18 days in Australia, this made the top 3 on our list of anything we did!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elaine Q. 2 years ago on Google
    The penguins are so cute. They come slowly in batches. The surrounding areas are wildlife nature reserves. You can see many different animals in their habitat such as wallabies, porcupines, geese and all sorts of birds.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kelvin L. 4 months ago on Google • 363 reviews
    You must book and reserve your tickets during school holiday. For general viewing, do not expect to see thousands of penguins walking up the beach. But regardless, it was a great experience to see and learn about the nature and the animals. The main building is amazingly beautiful. Lots of information, space for kids to play/learn.

  • 5/5 Raquel “Rocky” S. 7 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    The nightly Penguin Parade is an incredibly special natural event. If you love wildlife and conservation, this is the place for you. The staff is extraordinary and the views are stunning. Take as many photos and videos as you'd like all the way up to sunset. If you're reading this, I hope you have as much fun here as I have! See you all next time :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Robbie c. 11 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience. Good place for kids especially. Good food Plenty of free parking available Wheelchair accessible Please bring extra layer of clothes Need Beanie when wants to see penguin Buy ticket in advance is good option. You can see some birds. Your kids would love this.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tejasvi K. 1 year ago on Google
    It took us approximately 2 hours from Melbourne. Please check the weather before you go and definitely pre book the tickets if you are going on a weekend or public holiday. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Had a really nice day... it drizzled quite a bit. But the little penguins 🐧 made it all worth. Must visit if you are near Melbourne. Take a beach blanket and a jacket to encounter these cute beings. Saw some people breaking rules when the rangers were not around as we headed back.. and clicked pictures 📸 of these penguins 🐧... please don't do that.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kangaroo J. 1 year ago on Google
    Great experience which the family thoroughly enjoyed. Get their early to get good seats if in general admission. Make sure you prepurchase tickets well in advance because tickets do sell out quickly parking is plentiful and their is a gift shop and restaurant on site. No photography allowed after sunset to protect the penguins.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Priyanka A. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience. Rangers are extremely knowledgeable and more than happy to answer our questions. Better to go early to catch the best seats. There are 3 types of seats available, book accordingly. Carry a good jacket with a hood and a nice blanket to sit on as it's quite chilly even in spring. If you are lucky, you can catch glimpses of sea lions and other wild life. They provide you with an estimated time of arrival of penguins. Strictly no photos are allowed after sunset as camera flashes can harm penguins' eyes which are sensitive to blue light.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paul J. 1 year ago on Google
    P...p...p...pick up a Penguin! An absolute must do experience in Phillip Island! I love Penguins more than my own mother, and this didn't disappoint. I visited late August 2022 and we saw probably around 1,500 via the 'Underground' experience. The Penguins were incredible! Despite them not speaking English, I felt like I was invited to their family get together and having a great yarn with them! Especially Nigel, he was a riot! This is such a worthwhile experience. You have to do this when you visit Phillip Island. Better than meeting Phillip himself.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kate 4 months ago on Google • 99 reviews
    It's important to remember to bring warm clothes, as temperatures can drop in the evening, especially with the chilly winds blowing in from the ocean. The penguins typically start arriving around 9:15 Pm, and you'll be watching the parade from the specially prepared amphitheater located right on the beach. While anticipation is high, it's important to manage expectations, as only a few penguins may actually make their way ashore, and they might be difficult to see from a distance. Additionally, taking photos is prohibited, as flash can harm the penguins' sensitive eyesight. Unfortunately, some visitors disregard this rule and still take flash photos, which can be frustrating for those trying to enjoy the experience responsibly. Despite these challenges, the Penguin Parade remains a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Phillip Island, offering a rare opportunity to witness these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Salim H. 5 months ago on Google • 83 reviews
    The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is a magical spectacle. Witnessing adorable little penguins returning to shore at sunset is heartwarming. The well-organized facilities and informative guides enhance the experience, making it a must-visit attraction for nature lovers and those seeking a unique wildlife encounter.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jack A. 5 months ago on Google • 63 reviews
    It surpassed my expectations. Three recommendations: 1) Purchase tickets in advance--they sell out, especially on weekends. 2) Get there early. I spotted a few wallabies on my way to the beach and it's a great view of the ocean while you wait. 3) If you're in the general viewing area, sit in the lower left corner of the bleachers. Penguins will pass close to you on your left side. The best part was walking back to the visitor center after the viewing ended. The boardwalk passes over the penguins' nesting area and they're all out walking around. Very cool to see them up close and to hear them.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jawara P. 5 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
    Went here with friends to have a natual experience with penguins. The wind was quite strong so bring your jacket. The waiting time could be boring, but it will pay off when you get to see the penguins coming out of the sea. All pics after sunset were taken using night mode. NB: 1. bring your binoculars. 2. Sit on the beach 3. No camera flash after sunset 4. flashlights are not allowed
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wendy H. 3 months ago on Google • 160 reviews New
    Penguins swim up onto beach to return to nests after feeding at sea . What's not to love about tiny penguins waddling. No photos or videos are allowed after dark, unfortunately, due to people not following no flash rules . You can see penguins in burrows and take photos before dark . Other animals to see , wallabies, geese . Education centre. Unfortunately, the worst hot chips we have ever had , from the bistro ! Book well in advance, different $ for different experiences.

  • 5/5 HANON T. 9 months ago on Google
    Highly recommended! I booked normal seat ticket ( I didn’t know there is a premium seat), but that was enough because we can see penguins very close when we were on the way to go back to the entrance. No need to buy premium seat tickets. Also, I didn’t take any pictures of penguins because by right they don’t allow us to do so after sunset. However, some tourists were taking picture with flash. I saw so many times and frustrated at them. I think their operation doesn’t work enough to prohibit taking picture of penguins. It could be better. Anyway, that was really fun experience to see small penguins so close.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew L. 8 months ago on Google
    Finally made it to penguin parade after being in Melbourne for almost 20 years. The actual sight seeing was more waiting then seeing - probably give yourself a 45 min wait on the general stands before the tiny fairy penguins come onto shore. It’s about 50m away so good eye sight is a must! No phones at all during the event. Also suggest that you bring lots of layers to wrap yourself up. The seaside wind is strong and being in the cold for 90 mins is a long time!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mario B. 10 months ago on Google
    Amazing natural show, top tips: Get there early as there are 2 concrete stands, on the right stand sit at the bottom left hand side right on the beach, on the left stand sit at the bottom right as penguins use the open part to get to their burrows. Bringing binoculars is also great as you can view bigger groups of penguins further up the beach. Make sure you have warm clothing as the wind chill is bad. Winter times shows are earlier than summer time as sunset controls their arrival.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bali M. 7 months ago on Google
    It was a memorable experience. Need to wait until it's dark for the penguins to emerge from the ocean. It was adorable seeing them scurrying up to their burrows in groups. We were constantly reminded NOT to use phones cameras or any device from when we were instructed and especially when the penguins appeared. This was for the penguins well being. If you were found using your phone etc you'd be asked to leave. We were at the general viewing and it was fine. Grateful the rain held off. Access to viewing point is wheelchair accessible and seating is plentiful. Some sat on the sand also. Ensure you wear warm clothing as it does get cold!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bruno L. 9 months ago on Google
    Great place for kids to see the beloved penguins in person! Recommend upgrading to the underground viewing (sold out) to have a closer viewing. If not, come early and sit on the sand (if you don't mind getting dirty) to get up close and personal (sit on the sides). The boardwalk on the way back is the best place to see the penguins going home!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Winnie C. 8 months ago on Google
    Love this place so much. But very disappointed that people just can't follow the rules like no photo shoot or videos when the penguins come in. We even saw a guys go across the fence to pick something when the penguins walk in. Really feel sorry for the workers there who try work very hard to protect our little cutie This is the present from nature. Just wish people can be more understanding and follow the instructions and rules.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kirat M. 1 year ago on Google
    A great experience for families! Seeing the baby penguins was super cute and a bucket list item. A great activity to do if you’re on Phillip Island already. However, I personally would not drive the 2 hours from Melbourne just to see this. I wish it had been a little more interactive, not just seeing penguins coming out of the water. A penguin museum or perhaps a feeding session would have been splendid.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hock Sing T. 9 months ago on Google
    Penguin parade from the ocean back to shore about 6:45pm. Rangers will make sure no digital recording from the audience as lighting will disturb Penguin. If get caught? Then will be asked to leave he place immediately There are proper amphitheatre seating at beach. We chose to sit on the beach to be nearer to the Penguin when they marched in. To our disappointment after first 30 penguin appeared, Seating at the general viewing area could only see the Penguin coming in far away unless seating near watch tower. But only handful Penguin went through this way. Most Penguin passed through the Penguin plus area but also at a distance of 10 feet away. In order for savings (as Penguin plus cost at least 50% more than general viewing area), we wait at the junction of general viewing and Penguin plus. This was the best place to see lot of Penguin parade in and within 3 feets from us. Penguin parade will continue until 2am to 3am in the morning. We went back to visitor centre for dinner and warm soup about 7pm. Yes, only 15 minutes was enough for us. Strongly encourage to wear windbreaker or sweater as temperatures at the beach in September drop to 12 Celcius at 7pm. We have nice dinner, buy souvenirs and photos inside the visitor centre until we left at 8pm
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hari Pradeep P. 10 months ago on Google
    This place is amazing. I never knew that these penguins were the smallest penguins. I saw several times the penguins in TV and some aquatic animal centers like Aqua world in the UK. They are all very, very big. These are almost like small cat. It was told that these penguins go to sea for their food in the morning and come back to their homes (burrows) in this Philip Island. It was amazing how they recognized this place after their hunting for food and going exactly to their homes and serving the food to their kids. Nature is beyond humans' imagination. They are really cute. It was very dark when they arrived, and we were not able to capture them well due to the restrictions over mobile cameras to show to my family members. Of course, we should not interfere with their life. The place is really nice, very windy and super chilling. Besure to have a full winter wear like caps, ear shields, good shoes etc. Drive safe in the dark.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lu L. 7 months ago on Google
    Very good experience. Fairy penguins flock back to the beach and nest from the sea, extremely cute. But due to the crowd, numerous street lights, and the partition of the boardwalk, they should still be affected by some factors. Because someone forgot to turn off the flash when taking photos, it is prohibited to take photos after sunset, even if you confirm that the flash has been turned off. The siren of the working vehicle are constantly flashing, I don't know if this will affect the eyes of the little penguin. Many staff members on site have been reminding those who take photos and videos to stop. Is there a better policy for taking photos? For example, selling or renting cameras without flash? Because many people do like to take photos as a souvenir.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark G. 1 year ago on Google
    The Penguin Parade is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. The parade takes place every evening at sunset and involves hundreds of little penguins waddling up the beach to their burrows in the sand dunes. The penguins are absolutely adorable, and watching them come in from the ocean in small groups and make their way up the beach is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It's amazing to see how they navigate the waves and the rocks and make their way home. The Penguin Parade is well-organized, with a large viewing area and a boardwalk that provides a great view of the penguins as they come up the beach. There are also plenty of knowledgeable guides on hand to answer any questions you might have about the penguins and their habitat. Overall, I highly recommend the Penguin Parade of Phillip Island to anyone visiting the area. It's a unique and memorable experience that you won't want to miss!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Frances S. 2 years ago on Google
    Worth the time we waited to see the little penguins. Advice when you booked 8:30. Be there at 7pm to get the best seat like actually near the penguins almost able to touch but of course not allowed… love philip island
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna Jacinta M. 1 year ago on Google
    I loved it. I was in general admissions and we watched them come in from the beach they are very little so you can see them waddle up. However, the best part is after they come up from the beach when you watch from the boardwalk as they make it home. We then got some things at their souvenir shop, all the proceeds go to research and conservation. It was really worth it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Venkata M. 1 year ago on Google
    We decided to buy the underground viewing due to the intense weather- it was cold, rain and windy. The view from under ground viewing was at our eye level which was an excellent experience. We were happy with that extra spend to have enjoyed watching the penguins waddle to their nest from so close proximity. I would sincerely recommend visiting these dwarf beauties return home.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nathan A. 2 years ago on Google
    So amazing to watch the penguins just waddle past. Get the plus package if you're short sighted like me as I think it's well worth it. The Rangers are great and informative and actually enforce the rules. No cameras, keep quiet as not to scare the penguins etc. Bring a beanie and a coat as even in autumn it was quite cold. Get there about 5pm and goes until about 7pm
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 half p. 5 months ago on Google • 125 reviews
    Great experience. No camera or videos allowed after sunset. But you might be lucky to catch an early one before they tell you to put them away. No flashes allowed. Great education, also interactive activities for kids, loads of photo opportunities before sunset. Get there early. I did the penguin plus.

  • 5/5 Mufaddal V. 4 months ago on Google • 42 reviews
    🐧🌊 What an incredible time I had watching the adorable little penguins gracefully swimming in the waves! 😍 Their cautious journey from the water to the bushes was both amusing and delightful. 😄 The struggle they faced was so entertaining! 🤩 The venue offers two types of viewing decks, one with regular tickets and another with premium options available through prior bookings. 🎟️👌 Ample parking is available nearby, and there are convenient amenities like restaurants, cafes, and washrooms on-site. 🚗🍽️☕ Highly recommend making a visit! 🌟

  • 4/5 Low Wee H. 8 months ago on Google
    First, make sure you buy the tickets in advance online so you don't get disappointed. IIRC the visitor centre opens at 4pm, and depending on the sunset time of the day, you can expect to actually see the penguins around 6.45pm. However if you got the general tickets, because of the large crowd, you need to make your way to the beach, 5-10 mins walk, so that you can get a good spot. We arrived at our spot around 5.30pm, and then waited till almost 7pm before we saw the penguins. The staff will remind you, repeatedly, not to take any photos or videos. Personally I don't see any problem with that. I guess it is because we simply can't trust tourists to switch off flash on their cameras. Don't expect a huge contingent of penguins to waddle past in front of you on the beach. In reality, it will be pockets of penguins, 10+ at most at one time. And because they already had yellow/orange spotlights illuminating the beach, the penguins will tend to go to darker spots outside the main viewing area. You will likely get a better view of them as you walk back on the boardwalk. They built their nest quite near the boardwalk, so you can see them better.

  • 5/5 Sbnd 7 months ago on Google
    This was my first penguin encounter, I had seen a penguin very far away in a cruise ship at Milford sound (NZ), it was just a glimpse.... Also I wanted to see similar penguin parade in omaru (NZ) but the place was at least 3 hours from Christ church and Dunedin, so I couldn't go there at night, also that place was relatively cooler and windy than Melbourne. This penguin parade was the best encounter I had, in the beginning it was too cold, we had to wait till sunset, in general stands, a huge space was reserved near the best visibility spot, but still it was enough room for everyone to sit. In my opinion the second stand is the best place to go and sit to have a nice view. As we reached 5 hours earlier still the special or the VIP view stand was booked out... So I suggest to book the tickets well in advance. As the sun sets, in yellow light neat the stands, penguins start coming in groups of 3, 4 or 5 also they wait for other penguins of their group to come before going to their nests. The nests are in dark with dim lights on the pathway off the penguins. But out of the range of light there were many penguins arriving at the beach they took different pathways to reach their nests, When these penguins are going on the pathway we can have a closed view and can hear the small babies waiting for their parents to come. While sitting on the deck one penguin came really close to me, I also saw two penguins fighting for nest....

  • 5/5 Vishweshwar R. 8 months ago on Google
    Once in lifetime experience of watching these amazing creatures pass by you into their natural habitat. Don't miss it if you are around Melbourne. Just a tip even basic ticket will give you a chance to see penguins in close quarters, no need to shell big bucks for better experience. Very well managed and great staff. Avoid photography though.

  • 4/5 Maggie 7 months ago on Google
    This was interesting !! Came here with 2 families (8 of us in total) and we enjoyed it but didn’t love it. Plenty of parking, beautiful built centre with great detail/ information about penguins, great souvenir store and there is a restaurant which looked nice (needs more promotion as we may have eaten here). Entry was at 7:15pm to the boardwalk/beachfront for viewing where you see the penguins. We entered around 7:30pm and then waited over 1 hour for the penguins to appear. Wait is too long and if I were to do it again I would enter just before the penguins pop out. Position yourselves on the beach (take a blanket to sit on). You’ll be amazed how last minute arrivals squeeze in at the front and get best seating. Penguins are tiny (33cm tall) and you can just see them. Not many come out, I was expecting 100s but we might have seen 40. Then when you walk back through the boardwalk you see them everywhere. That was very cute. The staff (especially Sally and Rachel) are great and patient. We did get conflicting information on where to sit which was funny. Everything was run to perfection, the only downside for me personally was the number of penguins you see coming out and the drive back to the city is long and late. It’s something I can now check off my bucket list.

  • 5/5 Thomas H. 5 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience! Highly recommend! Don't use your cameras or the flashes on your cameras as it can damage their eyes. Get the free gallery pictures from the QR code instead. Much easier! Take some warm clothes and a blanket and something to sit on!

  • 5/5 alan y. 8 months ago on Google
    21Sept23 It is a must go attraction when you are at Philips Island. It is really freezing when waiting for the penguin returning from the sea, please remember to put on very warm clothes to handle the evening cool wind from the sea. Ticket is $30 per person, better book online in advance. Definitely worth where you can together with the wild penguin in close proximity.

  • 5/5 Rae-Anne D. 8 months ago on Google
    This is a must do experience for all ages. We chose the tiered seating option. Get there early to get a good seat. We sat on the right side so couldn't see the penguins coming out of the ocean but we were in a prime position to see the penguins going to their burrows. You can't take photos after sunset so what I have is from their website. There is also lots of good information at the Penguin Centre.

  • 5/5 Effendy 1 year ago on Google
    The best place to get up close and personal with the penguin. The centre is fully self funded and rely on visitor contribution. The Melbourne weather can be quite unpredictable, so best to pack warm clothes as you will be facing the artic ocean and have to wait until the sun came down before the penguin will start to waddle in. But once they are in you can get up close and personal with them. You will have to be very quiet to observe them in their natural habitat. So if you haven't seen the penguin, it is highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Deborah 2 years ago on Google
    Love it we have been a few times with children and overseas visitors. Everyone loves it. It is fantastic that with the lock downs you can now see it online. I was there for the first online session. I go back and watch it every now and again as you see something different every time you watch. I can't wait to get there in person again to watch some day. If you go in winter don't forget to keep warm and take your camera as you can get amazing photos. Lots of parking in the car park and some times you see the penguins in the car park.

  • 5/5 Amanda N. 2 years ago on Google
    We had great weather for viewing. So cute and amazing facilities and interactive displays. Take a cushion because we waited an hour for penguins to start coming onto the beach. And you can't take pics of the penguins.

  • 5/5 Kerbray 2 years ago on Google
    An amazing experience. Lovely weather luckily and some great views with our tickets. The penguins are everywhere when they arrive, so there's plenty of opportunity to see them up close no matter where you sit or stand. There's often more than 1000 little penguins during the evening, and its a wonderful experience watching them come in. No photography (especially no flash) allowed when the penguins arrive.

  • 5/5 Hunter A. 2 years ago on Google
    We purchased the Underground tickets. I have to say it was an amazing experience. Ranger's told us to expect penguins at 5:45 and they were right. We arrived at 5:00. Waiting around for 45min wasn't that bad. I do recommend you bring something to sit on as the concrete step can get very cold. I went to the general viewing area and its nice. It gets very cold and wet sitting in the open so do come prepared if you choose that. The underground plus is also outside and cold. You do get very close seating along the penguins main walk way so its worth it if the weather is good. Dont take a camera as its not going to be used so save the disappointment. The penguins are very cute and full of character. Watching them walking along the walkway was an experience we would do again. Oh bring something to occupy the kids because our 45min wait could turn into much longer or shorter on another day.

  • 5/5 Jenny 2 years ago on Google
    What a fascinating night!! I was lucky enough to have booked one of the premium seats up front, and some penguins came less than 2 feet away from me. If I recall correctly, no photos were allowed, hence why I couldn’t find anything from the actual parade. I do remember that I was freezing though! I made the mistake of only bringing an extra longsleeve. Make sure to bring something warm, as you may have to wait until 11pm. That being said, penguins are all around the the visitor welcome site. Overall, Phillip Island was stunning, especially in December.

  • 5/5 BOLLCAST 2 years ago on Google
    I couldn’t capture any penguin 🐧 because that was restricted because the flash of camera might hurt the eyes of penguin Trust me I had never witnessed some creature like this Like they are truly wonderful creation of Allah trust me Their parade is kinda cute And hats off to these people who took care of these beautiful creation of god

  • 5/5 Leah H. 3 years ago on Google
    Loved our penguin experience. We were very lucky with the weather. We bought general viewing tickets and loved what we were able to witness. We even saw a bandicoot (first one for me!) There were about 1500 little penguins counted tonight.

  • 4/5 Little T. 2 years ago on Google
    I was in the general viewing grandstands and although it had a spectacular view of the beach, it was not a good place to see the penguins come out of the water. The penguins have decided they don’t like to go home via these grandstands and are using other locations that are not visible from the grandstands. On the other hand, seeing the penguins up close from the boardwalks was an amazing experience. So overall, i would recommend a visit to the Penguin Parade for any one who hasn’t been yet.

  • 5/5 Faye S. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome experience. Everyone should go. People who work there r amazing

  • 5/5 Aaron L. 1 year ago on Google
    If you want to see penguins in a fairly natural state, cruising back to their nests after a hard time out feeding at sea, you really can’t beat this. Specifically the penguin plus experience where you get very close to them. The underground viewing would also be good for an extra $10. There are hundreds of penguins waddling past in a very cute way, many of them stop and have rests of call to their mates. Be aware it is very cold and exposed in winter, and not especially comfortable seats. But it’s a really great setup in most respects.

  • 5/5 Laura V. 9 months ago on Google
    First time visiting the Penguin Parade. Amazing how many penguins we got to see come in from the ocean and make way back to their nests. Right in the middle breeding season so they were very vocal. Bring warm jackets, blanket and a small picnic to enjoy the time out.

  • 5/5 Cheryl S. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely loved our experience. I paid extra for the underground viewing and so glad I booked it. We got a close up view of the penguins which my son absolutely loved. Sounds like we got lucky because we saw heaps of penguins, they just kept coming in.

  • 5/5 Megan C. 1 year ago on Google
    The penguin parade was so amazing! We paid for the Penguin Plus tickets and are so happy we did. Our tickets said to arrive at 745 and we arrived around 730 to use the bathroom and head down to the seating. Lots of people were already in the first few rows by then. The penguins arrive after sundown and in small groups over the course of about an hour. Many people left after the first wave of penguins arrived so we were able to move down a few rows. And SO many more penguins came after that first group. The staff were very clear about no photography and did a great job of managing the rule though some still tried to sneak photos and videos. My kids even commented on how people who snuck photos were all adults. Please just follow the rules. It makes it more enjoyable for everyone when the staff doesn’t have to step in every few minutes to tell someone to put their phone away. Also, don’t forget to dress warm! Lots of people had on shorts and it was very chilly and windy once the sun went down. We had long pants+2 fleece jackets and could have used more layers.

  • 5/5 Rachel 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience. Rangers are extremely knowledgeable and more than happy to answer our questions. Better to go early to catch the best seats. There are 3 types of seats available, book accordingly. Carry a good jacket with a hood and a nice blanket to sit on as it's quite chilly even in spring. If you are lucky, you can catch glimpses of sea lions and other wild life. They provide you with an estimated time of arrival of penguins. Strictly no photos are allowed after sunset as camera flashes can harm penguins' eyes which are sensitive to blue light.

  • 5/5 Rachael H. 11 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience. The little penguins are stunning and these guys make it possible to watch them at arms length. It’s amazing. Super well communicated, great facility, cafe and shop. Short toilet waits even in peak period. Taxidermy display was super compelling and mostly not too weird.

  • 5/5 Rebecca F. 2 years ago on Google
    We did the underground experience and it was amazing you get to see the little penguins wander pass the window. Would recommend to anyone

  • 5/5 Chara L. 10 months ago on Google
    A must go in Melbourne. Penguins were super adorable, though nowadays both filming and shooting are not allowed anymore. Suggest to buy a normal ticket, and sit aside the sand path, then you’ll see these lovely creature walking by besides you. One day trip is also suggested, if you live downtown and want a relaxing tour.

  • 5/5 Christien A. 11 months ago on Google
    This was a dream come true for most of us. While the drive from Melbourne was far and long, the Penguin plus was amazing. Yes the line up wasn't smooth, but we held our breath for the amazing experience on the other side. Definitely need to sort out ticket scanning!!! E.g have a Penguin plus line

  • 4/5 Drew B. 9 months ago on Google
    Nice refurbishments to the centre and great place to visit with family from overseas. My only qualm is that they have one person asking people to sit down in their seats while dozens of people stand in front of your children. It’s a great place to tick off the list for visiting tourists but it’s difficult to visit with children when viewing the penguins on the boardwalk. Adults literally pushing our children out the way while some crawled under our legs to take photos with the flash on.

  • 5/5 Alex F. 10 months ago on Google
    It was an amazing experience witnessing the penguins so up close but the staff on site he didn’t allow me to take a photo. Bring along a blanket or a sweater if you go there in winter. I never knew that these penguins were the smallest penguins. Worth it in every way.

  • 5/5 Curious George x Dinosaur in AU, 好奇猴子X一隻恐龍的澳洲日常 (. 9 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience every time I been there. The way they plan the park to nature life, the way they set up for visitors, it is always well thought. Thank you once again for all the volunteers who work in there. I really appreciate and hope you do really well to keep bringing more opportunities to show us more knowledge of nature life around the world.


Call +61 3 5951 2800 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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