Penguin Parade
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Take care when driving on Phillip Island especially at dawn, dusk and at night when wildlife is most active. To report injured wildlife, call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300. |
Phillip Island is home to the largest little penguin colony in the world. You can experience the magic of watching these amazing seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows any night of the year from our viewing platforms and boardwalks.
Bookings are essential – please book tickets to the Penguin Parade in advance to avoid missing out.
Little penguins need your help!
Join the Penguin Foundation today and help raise vital funds for research and conservation projects focused on little penguins and other species, as well as the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured penguins.
Adopt a little penguin, koala, Eastern barred bandicoot. hooded plover or a short-tailed shearwater and join the thousands of people dedicated to the protection of these amazing animals. Every cent raised by the Penguin Foundation goes directly to research, conservation and wildlife rehabilitation projects, with over $3.4 million raised so far.
Established in 2006, the Penguin Foundation is dedicated to protecting the little penguins of Phillip Island, Australia. Phillip Island is home to approximately 40,000 little penguins. Habitat loss, man-made disasters (such as oil spills) and the effects of introduced foxes and other pests can have a devastating effect on little penguin survival.
The Penguin Foundation holds a Deductible Gift Recipient status, and all contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Chicks Café
Open 5 pm-close
Shearwater Restaurant
Open 5 pm-close
A 15% public holiday surcharge will apply on public holidays.
As our main star attraction, the Penguin Parade offers a wide variety of activities suitable for all ages. Whether you're looking for a self-guided experience or to be led by one of our knowledgeable rangers, we have an option for you. Please remember that everyone, including infants, requires a ticket to attend. Bookings are essential – please book tickets to the Penguin Parade in advance to avoid missing out.
GENERAL VIEWING
Enjoy tiered seating in our general viewing grandstands overlooking the picturesque Summerlands Beach.
Limited seating: If you are visiting in December or January, please arrive at recommended times shown on tickets as seats are limited and not guaranteed. Standing space is available. Click here for expected penguin arrival time.
Adult (16 years+) - $32.00
Child (4-15 years) - $16.00 (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $80.00
Australian Pensioner (ID required) - $22.40
PENGUINS PREMIUM
The new Penguins Premium viewing platform is inspired by the natural elements of the surrounding landscape, the new platform mirrors the coves of Phillip Island’s spectacular southern coastline and offers visitors unprecedented, up-close viewing of the little penguins as they waddle along the most popular pathway at the Penguin Parade.
Adult (16 years+) - $80.00
Child (4-15 years) - $40.00 (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $200.00
PENGUINS PLUS
Get up close and personal with the little penguins from our extra special Penguins Plus grandstand.
Adult (16 years+) - $80.00
Child (4-15 years) - $40.00 (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $200.00
UNDERGROUND VIEWING
Go underground and watch the little penguins waddle right past the window – some might even come up to the glass to say g'day!
Adult (16 years+) - $90.00
Child (4-15 years) - $45.00 (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $225.00
GUIDED PENGUIN TOUR
Join your guide for an informative journey through the penguin colony, enjoying their commentary via your personal headset.
Guided Penguin Tour (12 years+) - $100.00 (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE TOUR
Be one of the select few to venture out to a secluded beach away from the Penguin Parade on this fully accredited Eco Tour, perfect for lovers of both nature and adventure. Reasonable fitness required, including the ability to walk on soft sand, descend and ascend 20 stairs, and walk up to 1.5 km in each direction on uneven surfaces.
Ultimate Adventure Tour (16 years+) - $120.00
In an unlikely scenario of unusually lower penguin numbers or higher than predicted tides the Ultimate Adventure Tour will be replaced with a Guided Penguin Tour
FAMILY WILDLIFE TOUR - available Fri & Sat, available nightly through the school holidays
Join the ranger for a fun and educational tour that starts with a talk about the wildlife of Millowl (Phillip Island), and enjoy reserved seating in our tiered general viewing area overlooking the picturesque Summerlands Beach. Explore the secrets, sounds and signs left by the native animals that call the Penguin Parade home. Then settle in to watch the little penguins waddle home and ask your own ranger any questions you have. Each family gets to take home a Penguin oil spill jumper.
Adult (16 years+) - $85.00
Child (4-15 years) - $42.50/persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - $212.50
Australian Pensioner (ID required) - $59.50
Save with a 3 Parks Pass
Visit our Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island Heritage Farm for a discounted price.
Valid pensioner cards
Pensioner ticket prices apply to Australian Pensioner Cardholders and Seniors Cardholders only. Card must be presented on entry.
Companion and Carer cards
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The card holder's companion will be issued with a ticket at no charge to all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions. Equivalent overseas cards are also valid. Entry for card holder is applicable adult, child or concession entry. |
Visitors with a Victorian Carers Card are entitled to entry at the pensioner rate to all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions. |
Student card
Unfortunately we do not offer a student rate. Child tickets are valid for ages 4-15.
Health Care card
Unfortunately we do not offer a health care card discount.
during the nightly Penguin Parade.
The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre currently opens daily at 5 pm.
Penguins arrive at sunset every evening.
We suggest you arrive approximately one hour before penguin arrival time. Download our penguin arrival time calendar for estimated penguin arrival times throughout the year.
• General Viewing - ticket holders should plan to arrive at least 1 hour before penguin arrival time.
• Penguins Plus - ticket holders should plan to arrive at least 1 hour before penguin arrival time.
• Underground - ticket holders should plan to arrive 30 minutes before penguin arrival time.
• Guided tours - each have a specific departure time, so please check your tickets.
Peak Holiday Periods
If you are planning a visit from mid-December to late January, or during a long weekend or school holidays period, please allow extra travel time as the traffic can get busy. Be sure to pre-book your tickets to avoid missing out!
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Penguin Parade address:
1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands, Victoria 3922
How do I get there?
By car: Phillip Island is located 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne. Allow a further 20 minutes from the bridge to get to the Penguin Parade. Free car parking on site.
By bus: Public transport is limited on Phillip Island. V-line operates a bus to Phillip Island’s main town, Cowes, from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne city.
Please note that the V-line bus does not go to the Penguin Parade and there are no return buses to Melbourne at the conclusion of the Penguin Parade.
By taxi: Contact Phillip Island Taxis on 03 5952 2200 to arrange transfers on Phillip Island.
Tours and Transport: Contact a Visitor Information Centre in Melbourne or on Phillip Island for tours and transport options
Accessibility at the Penguin Parade
We are committed to offering an accessible and inclusive experience throughout the Penguin Parade and have a range of facilities for people of all abilities and sensory needs.
Please note the visitor centre opens a couple of hours before sunset when the penguins are due, approx 4 pm in winter months, and 6 pm in summer months.
Download accessibility guide here
Visitors with Mobility needs:
- Wide pathways for wheelchairs and prams
- Allocated car parking spaces for people with accessibility issues
- Ramp access through the visitor centre and along the boardwalks
- Pram parking at the penguin viewing stands
- A complimentary wheelchair for use inside the visitor centre
- Interpretive displays at wheelchair eye height
- An accessible-height ticketing counter
- Complimentary buggy service available for visitors with Mobility needs. Located at beach doors, please ask any of our staff if you or a guest requires this service.
- Exclusive wheelchair access viewing areas in General Viewing, Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing
A Changing Places facility which includes the following:
- a height-adjustable adult-sized change table
- a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system
- a centrally-located peninsula toilet
- circulation spaces as defined in the design specifications
- an automatic door with a clear opening of 950 mm at a minimum (1100 mm for beach and lake locations)
- a privacy screen
Visitors with Sensory needs:
- We are a certified sensory-inclusive site for with professionally trained staff
- Sensory bags available, equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards - these can be checked out for free by leaving an ID with our staff
- Weighted lap pads available - these can be checked out for free by leaving an ID with our staff
- Headphone Zones and Designated Quiet Areas
Look at the Penguin Parade Social Story to help prepare for your visit
Visitors with Assistance animals
Phillip Island Nature Parks welcomes visitors who use assistance animals certified by a registered authority. Assistance animals must remain on designated paths and restrained by a harness or lead.
Companion and Carer cards
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Companion Card holders are entitled to one free of charge admission for all admission ticket types. Companion Card tickets cannot be purchased online and must be arranged in advance by phoning 03 5951 2830 or visiting one of our sites. Card must be presented on entry. Equivalent overseas cards are also valid. |
Visitors with a Victorian Carer 'We Care' card are entitled to entry at the Australian Pensioner rate to all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions. Concession card must be presented on entry. |
