Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Melbourne, Australia

High interest

Booked 3 times today.

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

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Anonymous ·

Jan 2026

Awesome experience seeing some sights and wildlife with an awesome guide. Bus was on time and comfortable, the tour wasn't rushed and enjoyed some beautiful beaches and learning about and seeing the penguins in the wild. Highly recommend!

· Bob_S ·

Jan 2026

Michael was such a great guide; very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He kept us on schedule for such a long tour. The coastal stops had breathtaking views and a chance to wade in the water. Loved seeing the animals at the animal sanctuary that we don’t have in our country. And the penguin parade is an absolute must do while you are here. Thanks to Michael for making our day!

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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

Phillip Island Nature Parks 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

Supplied by

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

Susan_R

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.

Reviews

4.8

based on 909 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

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

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!

Five stars would recommend!!

Anusha_P, Mar 2026

I toured with Rhys and he was really knowledgeable about the animals and locations. He also provided great recommendations of restaurants and art museums to do for the rest of our time in Melbourne. Even though it was a long day it was well balanced with sightseeing and down time

Most highly recommended!

Nicole_W, Mar 2026

I had a fantastic time on the tour yesterday. John is a great guide, super knowledgeable and organized, caring and personable. The views on the beach stops were incredible and really enjoyed seeing the different indigenous animals at the sanctuary. Most highly recommend.

Beautiful penguin

Stephanie_G, Mar 2026

Looking at the penguin was really beauty and Lis know alot of knowledge which is a good thing. I would do this tour again

Highly recommend

Erin_H, Feb 2026

Plenty of activities and information throughout the tour. I had a great time feeding the kangaroos and Wallabies and the tour guide was great!

Such a fun excursion! We...

Richard_M, Feb 2026

Such a fun excursion! We upgraded for the penguin parade and is was so worth it! The day excursion was also super cool (fed kangaroos and wallaby’s). Learned a lot all day and highly recommend this excursion!

Excellent trip!

Ronnie_W, Feb 2026

A great experience. Highly recommended. The guide was very informative. The moonlight sanctuary was my favorite, but the penguins were exciting too

We had a great time with...

Akriti_V, Feb 2026

We had a great time with our guide - Mel - who was warm, welcoming, funny and super knowledgeable!! We travelled with our kids and they just loved her. 10/10 would recommend this tour!

Great Tour!

Kolin_J, Feb 2026

Had the best time on my tour with Jess! It was great getting to interact with Australian wildlife, meet new people and get to see some spectacular views!

Phillip Island Tour

Kim_S, Feb 2026

We had a wonderful day on this tour. Starting with Brighton Beach, we traveled to Moonlite Animal Sanctuary, and the Nobbies. The highlight was the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. We saw lots of animals and learned so much from our wonderful tour guide Lucy. She shared so many wonderful facts snd history about the area and also specific information about the native animals. I highly recommend this tour and Go West.

Little Blue Penguins, Puns & Perfect Views

Jennifer_M, Feb 2026

Our Phillip Island Penguin Parade and wildlife tour was the highlight of our visit to Australia. Our guide Red was the best I’ve ever had—fun, full of energy from beginning to end, and his singalongs and quick, witty jokes kept everyone laughing the whole day. He shared great tips, took photos for us, and showed us the best place to watch the penguins (including where to spot them hiding). Hand-feeding kangaroos and wallabies at Phillip Island Wildlife Park was unforgettable, seeing Australian animals up close, and the views from The Nobbies and Anzac Beach were incredible.An amazing experience all around — can’t recommend this tour highly enough.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Red made your Phillip Island tour so memorable — it sounds like his energy, humor, and tips really enhanced the day. We’re thrilled you got to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, enjoy the stunning views at The Nobbies and Anzac Beach, and of course, see the adorable penguins. We hope to welcome you on another Bunyip adventure in the future!

A wonderful day but long....

Doris_B, Feb 2026

A wonderful day but long. Really enjoyed the wildlife park we went to before the Penguin parade. Seeing the Penguins was special. Dress warm and bring rain gear, depending on forecast.

Nice tour

Bryan_C, Feb 2026

We had an excellent tour guide, Chris N. He was very informative about the areas we were traveling through and kept us informed along the entire journey. The stop at the bathing boxes was very convenient for a bathroom break. The stop at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park was very nice. We opted to pay for an upgrade to be able to pet a Koala and enjoyed the experience with Cyclops ver much. Chris took us to a couple of locations along the coast for a beach visit and views. The beach stop was just long enough to get a few photos, watch a little bit of the surfers and dip your toes into the waters of Bass Strait. We were able to observe some penguins during the day at our stop at The Nobbies which was very nice. Along our way while in the bus we were able to see Wallabies, eagles and echidnas in the wild which was very nice as well. The Penguin Parade stop was a bit of a let down (not the tour operators fault). While we were there we saw about 25 of the penguins come ashore and head up to their nests. The biggest disappointment was the horrible behavior of the tourists at both the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade. It’s as if they thought that the penguins were some type of trained circus animals there for their entertainment and not animals in the wild that simply tolerates the people being around them. Quite a few of the visitors ignored the instructions of the wildlife staff. Most of them cannot sit quietly and observe the penguins. Cell phones were not allowed but many people violated that instruction and the talking was very loud. There is a walkway back up the hill that people use and the penguins walk up to their nest parallel to it. Quite a lot of the tourists were hovering over the penguins to take photographs and were simply harassing them as they walked. You could see the penguins we’re trying to get away and some of them simply had to lay down from the exhaustion from climbing up the hill and being harassed the entire way.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback! We’re glad to hear that Chris N helped make your Phillip Island day so informative and enjoyable — from spotting wildlife along the way to the stops at Moonlit Sanctuary, the bathing boxes, and The Nobbies. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. We completely understand your concerns regarding the Penguin Parade. While we do our best to guide and educate all guests, the behavior of some visitors can unfortunately impact the experience. Your observations are valid, and we truly appreciate you sharing them. Respecting these amazing little creatures is so important, and it’s feedback like yours that helps us continue to promote responsible wildlife viewing. Thank you again for travelling with Bunyip Tours — we’re glad that, overall, you still had a memorable and wildlife-filled day.

Wonderful seeing penguins

Anita_D, Feb 2026

It was a great day, full of wildlife experiences, which is what we love. Wild wallabies, birds, and of course penguins! the best part is seeing them next to the walkways on the walk out, so don’t stay at the waterfront long, and if you aren’t front row on the stands on the far Left or right then you won’t see a lot in the dark anyway. Graeme, our driver was fantastic!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed a day full of wildlife experiences, from spotting wallabies and birds to, of course, the magical Penguin Parade. It’s great to know you found those moments along the boardwalk especially memorable. We’re also very pleased to hear that Graeme helped make the day even better — we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back on another Go West Tours adventure in the future!

A magical day

Sophia_K, Feb 2026

Thank you so much Jaimes (A!) for making our trip super fun and memorable. I would highly highly recommend this trip for anyone visiting Melbourne. Hopefully you get lucky enough to be part of Jaimes crew :)!

Guide Rhys was very...

Julie_C, Feb 2026

Guide Rhys was very informative and gave us great advice on where best to see the penguins. Incredible experience!

Beautiful bits of Australia

Jenny_B, Feb 2026

Great experience filled with the beauty of nature and wildlife of Australia. Benjamin was a friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable guide.

Phillip Island adventure

Debby_H, Feb 2026

Every stop was beautiful i either scenery or wildlife. Our guide, Red, was knowledgeable and entert, making the trip even more enjoyable

Cute penguins!

Beth_E, Feb 2026

Lovely food at La Porcheta Cowes. Listen to the instructions...really annoying when people are filming next to you and even using flash🙄 You need warm clothes!

Worth the money if travelling with Tim

Dinesh_K, Jan 2026

Good times and worth the money spent. Tim is really good as he explained us on all activities, what to expect, what to do/ not to do. He even accompanied us to locate baby penguins at Nobbies.

Michael was such a great...

Bob_S, Jan 2026

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for the review! We’re so glad to hear you had such a great day on the Phillip Island tour. It’s wonderful that Michael’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and time management helped make a long day feel smooth and enjoyable. The coastal stops, wildlife encounters at the sanctuary, and of course the Penguin Parade really do make this tour special — we’re happy you got to experience it all. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Michael. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience with us!

Penguin March a Must See Experience!!

Lori_S, Jan 2026

Prepare for very long day with something like pickup at 11:25 am and drop off after midnight. (Exact times vary by hotel.) Sitting in outdoor seating area for penguin match in mid-January was very cold & windy— dress accordingly!! Excursion was excellent experience and value overall!! Penguins were definitely adorable, a most memorable highlight. Those little guys are a must see!!! Quick stop at Brighton Beach boxes was interesting if you’ve never seen them before, which we hadn’t. Longer Moonlit Animal Sanctuary stop was less interesting as we had visited similar places in Hobart and Adelaide the week before while cruising. Moonlit did have more short conservationist talks at the different animal enclosures, which was a plus. However, kangaroos and wallabies for example were quite docile (and not hungry!) since we visited in the afternoon. Good variety of decent restaurants to choose from at dinner stop before penguin march. (Dinner on own.) Stopped and got off bus to observe an echidna along side of road, saw wallabies in wild along way, too. Time flew by, didn’t seem like all day on a bus. At least until 2 hr drive back after penguin march! Jaimes A. was excellent driver and guide. Lots of interesting talk and insights for best viewing etc. Very enjoyable long day!!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for the review! We really appreciate you sharing such a detailed and balanced account of your Phillip Island experience. You’re absolutely right — it is a long day, and dressing warmly for the Penguin Parade is essential, even in summer. We’re glad to hear that despite the length, the day felt engaging and that the time passed quickly with all the varied stops and wildlife encounters along the way. It’s great to know you enjoyed seeing the penguins, echidna, and wallabies in the wild, as well as the stop at the Brighton Beach Boxes. We also appreciate your thoughtful feedback on Moonlit Sanctuary and the conservation talks — it’s helpful to hear how different experiences resonate with travellers who’ve visited similar places elsewhere. A big thank you for your kind words about Jaimes A. We’re so pleased he made the journey enjoyable with his insights, commentary, and guidance throughout the day. We’ll be sure to pass this feedback on to him. Thanks again for taking the time to leave such a comprehensive review — we’re glad the tour was memorable and great value overall.

Awesome experience seeing...

Anonymous, Jan 2026

Nope

Julie_G, Jan 2026

Moonlit sanctuary was fun but they don’t give you enough time to walk around. Too much time spent at the filler scenic stops. Be warned you can’t take photos at the penguin experience once it’s dark- which is basically the entire time. The staff spend their time yelling at everyone. Not enjoyable when you pay for a ticket to be there.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed Moonlit Sanctuary, though we’re sorry the time there felt limited. The additional scenic stops are scheduled to manage traffic flow and ensure timely arrival at Phillip Island, particularly on busy days. Photography restrictions and staff enforcement at the Penguin Parade are set by Phillip Island Nature Parks to protect the penguins and are not controlled by tour operators. We appreciate you sharing your perspective and regret that parts of the experience didn’t meet your expectations.