Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Melbourne, Australia

High interest

Booked 5+ times today.

12 to 14 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Jing_C ·

May 2026

A well-organized trip. Our driver/guide Lisa is amazing. I would remind everyone please do not take pictures of the penguins. Any light from your phone or camera will harm them. There are beautiful professional pictures for you to download for free.

· Jenny_M ·

Jul 2026

We were comfortable and entertained the entire time. Rhys was a great guide. I highly recommend this tour!

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Overview

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife conservation park to see Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Explore the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy views of the rugged south coast and often seals as well.

Full-day wildlife tour to Phillip Island from Melbourne
See the penguin parade when penguins emerge from the ocean for the night
Enjoy the views of Phillip Island's rugged coastline from the Nobbies boardwalk
Option to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary

What's Included

Friendly & informative tour guide
Pickup from selected hotels
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary & guided tour of the exhibits
WiFi on board
General admission at the Penguin Parade

Meals other than as stated
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup is only available from the list of hotels provided upon checkout. Your pickup will be between 11:00am-12 midday (during daylight savings times, AEDT) or 10:00am-11:00am (during non-daylight savings times, AEST) depending on which location you select. Your exact meeting time will be provided after a booking is placed. This tour returns to Melbourne at approximately 9pm-midnight depending on the season.

Itinerary

Your day begins with pickup from one of a number of Melbourne hotels. Meet your group and guide and settle into your air-conditioned vehicle for the journey south: There’s onboard Wi-Fi if you’re not in the mood to talk.

Make a stop at the Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife conservation park, where you can spot native Australian animals, including wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, and dingoes. You can also enjoy closer encounters for an additional fee.

Upon arrival on Phillip Island set out on a tour of such landmarks as the Nobbies rock formations, where seals are often seen, and Cape Woolamai Beach. There’s time to check out the exhibits at the visitor center before the evening penguin parade.

On Summerland Beach, marvel at the spectacle of hundreds of little penguins waddling across the beach to their burrows.

After the return journey to Melbourne, your tour ends back at your departure point.

Phillip Island (Pass By)

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cape Woolamai Beach

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Nobbies

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Penguin Parade

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate

Photography and video are NOT PERMITTED at the Penguin Parade.
Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board.
If travelling with an infant, please contact Tour Operator at info@bunyiptours.com directly and request infant seat.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Victoria_R

What a fun day exploring and getting up close and personal with many of the exotic Australian Animals! Our tour guide Aleks was the best! She gave us a lot of history about the different areas we visited that day and included some fun stories. We never felt rushed and she made our day very enjoyable. She gave us some good info on where to stand or walk to see different animals…she also made sure that our bus was visible and easy to find at each stop—loved her twinkling lights on the bus at night so we could find it easy too— very much appreciated! I really enjoyed our time at the moonlit sanctuary and feeding the kangaroos and wallabies. The informational show the staff puts on was very interesting too. We enjoyed seeing the beach swim boxes and beaches. The cliff area was interesting where the penguins also live, & she showed us some wild kangaroos too, but my favorite excursion was the penguin parade on Phillips Island! Aleks told us what was the best scenario so we had time to get dinner, shop, and see the penguins come out of the ocean. She also told us to walk over to one side on way out to hear and possibly see the penguins in their burrows. The entire experience is one I will always cherish as a lifetime memory! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys seeing animals in nature! It was amazing!

Reviews

4.8

based on 945 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Phillip Island is a must-see

Det_S, Jul 2026

Phillip Island is worth going to see, and I have learnt a lot about Melbourne because of Ben. Thanks for all the info and trivia you shared.

We were comfortable and...

Jenny_M, Jul 2026

We were comfortable and entertained the entire time. Rhys was a great guide. I highly recommend this tour!

A nice day seeing the...

Norah_H, Jun 2026

A nice day seeing the sights at Brighton Beach, the Moonlit Sanctuary, and Phillip Island. The sanctuary was my favorite, getting to see the animals close up. Not too many penguins, so that was a little disappointing, but you can’t control Mother Nature. Our guide was terrific!

A 10/10 experience

Krish_K, Jun 2026

It was a wonderful experience from start to finish. I had the opportunity to see Australia’s unique wildlife and visit some truly breathtaking scenic locations. The Penguin Parade was an unforgettable highlight, and the entire experience was made even more enjoyable thanks to our tour guide, Tim. His insightful commentary and interesting information about the places we visited added great value to the tour and made it both engaging and memorable.

Hand-Fed Kangaroos and 860 Penguins: A Phillip Island Day to Remember

Nathan_L, Jun 2026

Woody, our tour operator, was a dynamo: a skilled driver, knowledgeable guide, and clear communicator for a group representing visitors from Asia, Europe, and North America. He clearly loves Melbourne, Phillip Island, Victoria, and Australia, and has a real passion for conservation, especially the native animals and the penguins of Phillip Island. The wildlife sanctuary was such a hands-on treat. You walk freely among a few dozen kangaroos and wallabies (some areas are off limits so they can rest and get away from us pesky humans), and you can buy food to feed them straight from your palm, which was an amazing experience. I expected to view wildlife from a distance, not interact with it this closely. We upgraded to the on-site koala experience (it was off-season, so they had room), and got to take pictures with and pet the back of “Cyclops,” a female koala. The seven-minute session moved fast: the staff are pros at snapping a ton of photos in both portrait and landscape, and even managed to sneak in a short video. Note: Victoria state law doesn’t allow picking up or holding a koala, so if that’s on your list, you’ll need to do it in another Australian state. It’s hard to put into words what it’s like watching the penguins come ashore. As we settled into our seats, they were already arriving in waves, and it’s startling how close you are to them. The board at the entrance reported 860 penguins the previous night, and there were at least that many the night we visited. They keep coming in waves, and just when you think it’s over, another group arrives. We upgraded to the Penguins Plus tour, which gave us a smaller platform with fewer seats on the right-hand side of the bay, closer to where the penguins come ashore. The platform was lower to the ground, and there wasn’t a bad seat in the house; we had a clear view of the water and the shoreline. The boardwalk ramp up to the Penguins Plus seating area is barely three feet off the ground and well lit. After the waves of penguins came in, we watched them cuddle together and waddle into their little burrows.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Reading your experience brought a smile to our faces, especially your description of the Penguin Parade. You're right — it's one of those experiences that's difficult to put into words until you've seen it for yourself. Watching the little penguins emerge from the ocean and make their way home never fails to leave an impression. We're also so pleased to hear that Woody helped make the day special. His enthusiasm for Victoria, its wildlife and the places we visit is completely genuine, and it's wonderful to hear that came through during your tour. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to him. It sounds like you made the most of the day, from meeting some of Australia's unique wildlife up close to enjoying the Penguins Plus experience in the evening. We loved reading about your encounter with Cyclops too! Thank you again for choosing us and for sharing your experience in such a thoughtful way. Reviews like yours are a pleasure to read, and we're delighted that Phillip Island became such a memorable part of your Australian adventure.

The Island that Time Forgot — a Conservationist’s Treasure

Brett_G, Jun 2026

The bus ride takes you on a scenic tour of Melbourne’s southern suburbs and deposits you on boardwalks for grand walk-abouts of Phillip Island. The Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes are a cool sight to behold. It’s nice knowing they’re being preserved as part of Australia’s cultural heritage. Viewing the small penguin parade is for sure a major highlight of one’s visit to Phillip Island. Our Go West driver/guide Tom is well-versed on the more distant and contemporary history of Melbourne / Phillip Island. Tom is a knowledgeable, friendly chap who made for a wonderful tour host. Try to pick a warmer, sunnier day, if you can. Overcast skies and southerly winds can make for a cold, uncomfortable evening on the island if you’re unprepared for such weather conditions. All in all, well-worth the time and money!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks very much for your review! We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed your Phillip Island experience and that Tom helped make the day both enjoyable and informative. It's wonderful to know that his knowledge of Melbourne and Phillip Island, along with his friendly approach, added to your experience throughout the journey. It sounds like you were able to enjoy many of Phillip Island's highlights, from the iconic Brighton Beach Boxes to the spectacular Penguin Parade. We're glad these experiences helped make the day a memorable one. Phillip Island certainly likes to remind visitors that it's a coastal destination, and your advice about dressing for the conditions is a great tip for future travellers! We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Tom, who will be delighted to hear your feedback. Thank you again for travelling with us and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back on another Victorian adventure in the future.

What a wonderful world

yair_m, May 2026

It brings to your knowledge some of natures wonderful moments.witnessing the merging of the tiny Penguins out of the wave ,and their funny marching up the hill.

Awesome experience

Jing_C, May 2026

Professional & got trick for penguin parade

Tassanan_K, Apr 2026

Alex (I do apologize if I spell ur name incorrectly) is professional in guide tour. She is on time and have got a trick for the course, especially penguin parade. The tour price is much expensive than another but we could get 24 seats minibus which picking up & drop you at the decided hotel in the list. We can communicate the agent anytime by Viator chat. There is not much stops for toilet along the trip. If you would like to go toilet, you may need to tell the driver in advanced. There is no USB charging port nor bottle of water available on the bus.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks very much for your review! We’re really pleased to hear you enjoyed your Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour. It’s great to know that Aleks made a positive impression and helped guide the day smoothly, especially when it came to making the most of the penguin parade experience. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the facilities and comfort on board, as well as the timing of stops. This is helpful for us as we continue to review and improve our tours. We’re glad you found the smaller group size and pickup arrangements convenient, and that you were able to enjoy the overall experience. Thanks again for your review, and very best wishes for your onward adventures.

Lucy our tour guide was...

Adjoa_B, Apr 2026

Lucy our tour guide was very professional and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the tour. Will go again with Lucy

Philip Island adventure

Valsa_J, Apr 2026

Excellent tour. Our tour guide Micheal was great. He explained everything very well. He was friendly and helpful. He was very knowledgeable about the history and interesting facts about animals and their habitats. Overall a very pleasant experience with Micheal.

The trip had sufficient...

Aridrini_K, Apr 2026

The trip had sufficient number of experiences well paced. The driver/ tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and provided clear instructions and helpful tips to make the whole experience more enjoyable

Amazing Wildlife!

Victoria_R, Apr 2026

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a fantastic time on our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour. It’s fantastic to know that Aleks made your day so memorable — her knowledge, organisation, and those thoughtful touches (like making the bus easy to find!) really do make a difference. We’re so pleased you enjoyed the variety of experiences along the way, from Moonlit Sanctuary and the beach boxes to spotting wildlife and, of course, the unforgettable penguin parade. It sounds like a truly special day. Having experienced Phillip Island with us, we hope you might join us again one day to explore more of what Victoria has to offer. Thanks again for your kind words & very best wishes for your onward adventures.

Loved it

Kristine_L, Apr 2026

We enjoyed the small, casual tour. Peter with Go West tours was funny, knowledgeable and kept us on task. Great day!

Best Tour Experience in Melbourne

Xiaowen_W, Apr 2026

An amazing day tour! The guide, Ben, was excellent—he gave a thoughtful introduction to Melbourne's culture and attractions. The itinerary was very well-organized, with plenty of time allowed for taking photos and sightseeing at each stop. The guide also thoughtfully prepared little stools for us—absolutely loved it!

All the animals

Erik_P, Apr 2026

We had a great time. Rhys was a fantastic guide. We saw loads of animas. Great recommendations for how to enjoy the penguins.

Loved the Moonlit Sanctuary and Penguin Parade tour!

kellylh85, Apr 2026

I highly recommend this tour. I have done this tour twice now and would book it again. First, you stop at the beautifully colored bath houses on the beach, then you drive on to the Monlit Sanctuary where you can pay a couple dollars to get a cup of food to feed the kangaroos and wallabies. You can also pay a small amount of money to interact with the koala. They also have other animals you can walk around and see; wombat, dingo, Tasmanian devil. Then you go on to the beautiful stops along the coast headed out to Phillips island for the penguin parade. Then when you arrive at the penguin parade you can eat dinner, the fish and chips was real good. Then you spend about 2 hours outside (cold) for the penguin parade watching the penguins surf up on the waves and waddle to their burrows. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear you’ve enjoyed our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour not just once, but twice — that’s the biggest compliment we could ask for! It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the variety of stops along the way, from the colourful beach boxes and Moonlit Sanctuary to the beautiful coastal views before the penguin parade. It sounds like a truly memorable day. We’re so pleased you loved watching the penguins come ashore — it really is a special experience, even with the chilly weather! Having experienced Phillip Island with us, we’d love to welcome you back again one day to explore more of what Victoria has to offer. Thanks again for your kind words & very best wishes for your onward adventures.

Wonderful trip in a chill day

sabina_s, Apr 2026

It was a wonderful time, with well Behaved, well educated Guide Lucy, she made us comfortable and Guide to do what is easiest for us.

The Philip Island tour...

Erin_F, Apr 2026

The Philip Island tour was a great experience. Our tour guide Mark provided great commentary along the way about Australian history as well as facts about the animals and landscapes we saw. The penguins were definitely the highlight - so great to see them up close!

Excellent guide/driver, but very crowded venue.

Tamara_C, Apr 2026

Our guide/driver, Rhys was fantastic. He was funny, professional, and very efficient at getting us around on our full day itinerary. We appreciated each of the stops that we made, and his advice was helpful in making the most of those opportunities. With that said, we found the Penguin Parade to be very crowded, noisy, and chaotic. There were thousands of people, many of whom blatantly disregarded rules about photography, personal space, and general respect for other people. The parade across the beach was at a bit of a distance, in dark conditions. We did see a handful up close by the boardwalks, but the crowds were pretty miserable.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your great review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a good time on our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour. It’s fantastic to know that Rhys made your day so enjoyable — his professionalism, efficiency, and sense of humour really do make a difference, and we’re glad his tips helped you make the most of each stop. We appreciate your comments about the Penguin Parade experience as well — it is a very popular attraction, but we’re glad you still got to enjoy some up-close moments along the boardwalk. Having experienced Phillip Island with us, we hope you might join us again one day to explore more of what Victoria has to offer. Thanks again for your kind words & very best wishes for your onward adventures.

Penguin viewing tour

Kalinga_Y, Apr 2026

This is totally about the tour. Not worth . Animals behavior cannot predict . We were lucky as we upgraded general penguin viewing to premiem ,able to see few penguins . General viewing platforms didn't find any penguins .. Only unique place we travelled is beach boxes on the way to Phlip Island . All other places were to spend time only. We were informed to meet at the hotel Rendezvous at 11 am,but bus arrived at 11.30 am. 🫤 Tour guide lady was excellent👍👍 ,very friendly and helpful . Must give *****five stars to her.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed your guide — she’ll really appreciate your kind words. Wildlife sightings at the Penguin Parade can vary each evening, as the penguins return naturally from the ocean, and unfortunately numbers can’t be guaranteed. However, all visitors to the Penguin Parade will be able to see plenty of penguins if they follow the guidance provided by our guides. Regarding pickup, your confirmed pickup time was 11:50am, and our vehicle arrived within the scheduled window. We’re sorry if there was any confusion on the day, but we're a little perplexed about this, as we have an emailed message from you acknowledging the accurate pickup time(!)

Our guide, Rhys, was...

Zeyad_E, Apr 2026

Our guide, Rhys, was fantastic. Highly recommend this trip. You don’t just see penguins but also wallabies in the wild.

It was a jam packed but...

Barbara_J, Apr 2026

It was a jam packed but relaxing day. We got to see so much and our guide Mike was funny and informative.

Philips Island tour with penguins and other Australian animals

Heather_K, Mar 2026

What a great tour! We saw a little bit of everything—beach boxes, beautiful beaches, native Australian animals and of course the penguins! Moonlit Sanctuary was worth the trip alone, but add in the cute little penguins, and it is a must do tour! Chris H was an enthusiastic guide who gave us lots of interesting information about the animals and the history of the areas we visited. Be prepared for much cooler conditions by the water. Wear pants and a jacket or you will be too cold to sit and watch the penguins waddle up the beach. You have time for lunch at Moonlit Sanctuary and dinner at the Penguin area. I highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad to hear you had such a great time on the Phillip Island tour and enjoyed the variety of experiences — from the Brighton Beach Boxes and coastal views to the wildlife encounters and, of course, the adorable penguins! It’s wonderful to know Moonlit Sanctuary was a highlight for you, and we couldn’t agree more — it’s such a special place, especially combined with the Penguin Parade. A big thank you as well for your kind words about Chris H. His enthusiasm and knowledge really help bring the day to life, so we’re delighted he made your experience even more enjoyable. We also appreciate your helpful tip about dressing warmly — it definitely makes a difference when watching the penguins by the coast! Thank you again for your review, and we hope to welcome you on another Bunyip adventure in the future! 🐧😊

Must-Do Phillip Island

Susan_R, Mar 2026

It is a full day to Phillip island from the Melbourne business district but so worth it! David, our tour guide, is fantastic - very accommodating and knowledgeable. This is a must-do destination to one of the MOST beautiful and pristine coastlines in the world. The penguin parade is adorable for “children” of ALL ages. We cannot say enough good things about this tour company and our tour guide David.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear you found the Phillip Island tour well worth the full day — it really is a special destination with such beautiful coastal scenery and unforgettable wildlife experiences. It’s fantastic to hear that David helped make the day even more enjoyable with his knowledge and accommodating nature. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. And we couldn’t agree more — the Penguin Parade truly is a magical experience for visitors of all ages! Thank you for travelling with Bunyip Tours, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future! 🐧😊

Great day out

Shradha_P, Mar 2026

Great day with lots to see and do with a relaxing pace set by David N. The day did not feel rushed. David N is a great tour guide.

Once in a lifetime experience to see the Fairy Penguins

Nithya_S, Mar 2026

Can't miss once in a lifetime opportunity to see 13 inch tall fairy penguins at Philip Island. Peter was our guide he was patient and took his time to explain about all the details. We had already booked tickets, but no way to get to Philip Island, book this tour at the last movement and so glad we did

Penguin Parade

Jayne_G, Mar 2026

Great tour seeing some of Australias wildlife. Great tour guide in Lisa she was so welcoming. Highlight was seeing the cutest penguin parade

Great!!

Katia_A, Mar 2026

Our tour guide Alisha made the difference , she is incredible and so friendly. I would recommend it to everyone .

A little belt full day...

louisecz, Mar 2026

A full day tour to see all the wonderful animals before the big penguin parade event. Our tour guide, Tim, did a perfect job in guiding us with great warmth and enthusiasm!

Likely to Sell Out