Phillip Island Nature Parks Visitor Numbers Double As Recovery Continues

The Phillip Island Nature Parks recently published 2022-23 Annual Report shows the call for nature-based tourism experiences is flourishing, as the business continues to recover from the pandemic.

Visitor numbers to Phillip Island Nature Parks ecotourism attractions have more than doubled in the past two years, as demand amongst domestic and international travellers surges. Visitation rose by 111% to 877,831 in the year to June 2023 and this trend has continued into the current financial year.

The Nature Parks continues to invest in research and conservation activities across Phillip Island (Millowl) with $3.97 million spend recorded in the 2022-23 financial year. 

“At Nature Parks, not only are we committed to conservation but also our unique business model, which ensures our nature-based tourism experiences fund research-led conservation and land management.”

Some additional highlights from the 2022-23 report include:

Our iconic Penguin Parade winning a silver award for Ecotourism at the 2022. Victorian Tourism Awards, recognising our ability to combine first-class ecotourism with successful conservation.
Welcoming 877,831 paid visitors across our four attractions – more than double the previous year.
A record-breaking 5440 penguins crossing the beach in October 2022 – the highest number recorded since counts began at Summerland Beach in 1968.
A record 18-night sell out of the Penguin Parade over the 2022-23 summer school holidays; and
The five-year anniversary of the release of the Eastern barred bandicoot, which was celebrated with the reclassification of the species from Extinct in the Wild on the mainland to Endangered – in an Australian first.
More than two hectares of habitat was restored.
The Phillip Island Nature Parks Annual Report 2022-23 is available here.