Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Melbourne, Australia
- 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Admission to Phillip Island Nature Park with Penguin Parade (general viewing)
- Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
- Comprehensive live commentary in a fun and social atmosphere
- Experienced local driver guide to assist you throughout the day
- Air-conditioned premium coach travel and comfort
- Meals not included, guests will have an opportunity to support locals and buy lunch along the way.
- Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
- Travel insurance is highly recommended
- Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Immigration Museum400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45am (winter) and 13:45pm (summer).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Melbourne
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Phillip Island Nature Parks - Koala Conservation Reserve
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Cape Woolamai (Pass By)
3
Cowes
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
The Nobbies Centre
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
6
Melbourne
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin.
- Child and infant fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Child protective seats are free of charge, subject to availability and must be requested at time of booking.
- Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person. Our vehicles are not wheelchair, prams or child stroller accessible please refrain from bring on tour.
- Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 38 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
Featured review
Wendy_G
Paul was our guide and he was fantastic - patient, efficient and incredibly knowledgable having spent much time on the island growing up and as an adult. The sights were spectacular. We did regret not upgrading to Penguins Plus at the viewing - much less activity in the general seating area - but Paul told us where to go to make the most of it. The penguin experience was quite fun but the entire day was just lovely - highly recommend!
Reviews
4.8
based on 839 reviews
Shahin_M, Apr 2026
This was a wonderful excursion and a must do. Phillips island is a quaint location and worth the short trek from Melbourne. Nice sightseeing spots for pictures and beautiful views. The penguins were the highlight of course. Take layers of clothing and a beanie hat. It was windy and a regular hat or cap will blow off your head. It can get quite chilly at night by the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your excursion to Phillip Island and found it to be a must-do. It's wonderful that you appreciated the scenic spots and the beautiful views, with the penguins being the highlight. Your tips about layers and a beanie hat are very helpful for future visitors. We hope you have many more memorable adventures ahead!
Janet_L, Apr 2026
We were very disappointed on how few penguins there were. Long bus ride. Cramped seats. We were enthused by the title “Penguin Parade.” I think we saw ten.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We’re sorry the penguin numbers and seating didn’t meet expectations. We’re glad you still found the tour enjoyable.
RosaElena_L, Mar 2026
We had a great guide and she did a great job. But, we were kind of deceived because we didn't see lots of Penguins... For the largest colonie of blue pinguins, we didn't see more than 30 going out of the sea and close to their nests. This was our second time in the island. The first time it was great with so many Penguins. But that's nature. It was only deceiving to have a long journey not to see what we saw the first time around 5 years ago. But definetely, I recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for joining our Phillip Island highlights tour! We’re glad you enjoyed the guide’s efforts and still saw penguins despite the weather. We understand it can be disappointing when nature doesn’t match past visits, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope your next visit brings even more penguin magic!
SteveDebbieSalsbury, Mar 2026
It was a great day! Paul was our tour guide and he was awesome. Once he parked the bus he offered to take whatever guests that wanted a tour of whatever stop we were at. This was helpful as he knew what to look for and where to look. He also wasn’t in a rush at the end of the day giving us ample opportunity to observe the penguins on their journey back up to their Knowles. Got to see lots of wallaby’s along the way. The koalas were adorable.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful day! We’re thrilled Paul’s knowledge and care made each stop so engaging. It’s lovely to hear you enjoyed the koalas, wallabies, and the magical Penguin Parade. We’re delighted the pace allowed you to soak it all in, hope to welcome you again soon!
Gunnar40, Mar 2026
The koalas were great. But watching the penguin parade in bad weather without possibility to take pics were so so. However, er saw quite a few penguins...
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for joining our Phillip Island highlights tour! We’re glad you enjoyed the koalas and were able to see the penguins despite the weather. We appreciate your feedback on the conditions and photo opportunities, it helps us improve. We hope the wildlife encounters still left you with special memories!
Kenneth_L, Feb 2026
It is a long two hour drive from Melbourne, but our driver gave us lots of Australia information. The drive back is quite late(11:45 pm) You need the full day in Melbourne for this trip
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for joining our Phillip Island adventure! We're glad you enjoyed the insights along the way. It’s a full-day experience, and we appreciate your note on timing, it helps future guests prepare for the journey!
Elaine_H, Feb 2026
It was a very pleasant journey. It was my first time entering Australia with my parents. We were lucky to have this tour guide, Sam Derrick from the UK, if I spelled his name correctly. He is a very nice, energetic, and caring guy. You could really feel his positive energy, and it made the whole trip very fun.
He introduced a lot about Melbourne’s history, shared fun infos about koalas, and took us to many beautiful scenic spots where we took a lot of great photos. I would definitely recommend this tour to travelers traveling with friends, family, or a partner:)
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re so glad you and your parents enjoyed your first trip in Australia with Sam’s energetic and caring guidance. His positive energy and insights make the journey extra special, and we’re delighted you’d recommend the tour to others.
Tuvia_B, Feb 2026
The koala habitat was very nice
The penguin parade was very disappointing (We saw about 12 penguins)
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the koala habitat. We’re sorry to hear the penguin parade didn’t meet your expectations; we appreciate your honesty and will look into ways to improve the experience. Your input helps us enhance future tours.
Nazanin_A, Jan 2026
Good experience and well planned tour. Anthony is an excellent tour guide, well informed, nice and friendy
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a good experience and found the tour well planned. Anthony will be proud to know you appreciated his knowledge, friendliness, and professionalism. We look forward to welcoming you back on another fantastic tour!
Olga_B, Jan 2026
The tour with Fiona was a pleasure. We saw penguin parad, many koalas, birds and even echidna. Really good tour, well organized.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your tour with Fiona was such a pleasure and that you got to see penguin parade, koalas, birds, and even an echidna. It sounds like a truly memorable and well-organized adventure. We appreciate your kind words and are glad you enjoyed the tour!
Charles_F, Jan 2026
This is a once in a life time experience. Watching the little penguins waddle out of the ocean was amazing.
The rest of the tour included stops at a nature preserve where koalas and other Aussie animals reside and stops at various scenic locations. The seashore reminded us of the coast of western Ireland.
Bring warm clothes! It was 85° in the day but when the sun set and the wind kicked in off the ocean it was chilly! Also, if you can upgrade to "Penguin Plus" do so.
Our driver, Fiona, was a wealth of knowledge. We really enjoyed her.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! Watching the little penguins waddle out of the ocean sounds truly magical-what a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It’s great to hear that the tour included wonderful stops at a nature preserve with Aussie animals and scenic locations that reminded you of western Ireland. Your tip about bringing warm clothes is very helpful, especially since the temperature drops after sunset. We're glad Fiona's knowledge and friendly demeanor enhanced your journey, and we appreciate your recommendation to upgrade to "Penguin Plus." Thanks again for your detailed and enthusiastic feedback!
Barbara_S, Jan 2026
Overall a fun but long day to see the fairy penguins. Guide was patient and capable. However, we could not hear him over the speaker system on the bus as it was muffled so we missed a great deal of the interesting stories and information related to our itinerary. Details for this excursion could have been better improved on the website, such as time when we would be stopping for lunch. The website just stated lunch on own.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We truly appreciate your honest review. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the penguin experience and found your guide capable, though we regret the muffled speaker and limited website details impacted your day. Your feedback helps us improve both our tours and our communication, and we thank you for sharing it.
David_H, Jan 2026
Wonder experience as far as the penguins but leader was very disorganized and did not what out for his group
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We appreciate your honest review. It’s wonderful to know the penguin highlight was memorable, though we regret the organization of the group did not meet expectations. Your feedback is important to us, and we’ll work on ensuring our guests feel well looked after throughout the tour.
Michael_W, Jan 2026
If you come in on a cruise ship be aware you are dropped off in the city when most of the transportation ends at midnight. Unless you’re lucky enough to get a friendly driver to drop you at port you are on your on your return. The scenery to Phillips Island was beautiful. Our driver had no commentary for the first of 2 hours we drove while we spoke with others who traveled on a sister bus and their driver shared a lot of information Also the bus microphone had a lot of static so was very hard to hear.
If you are totally doing it for the Penquin viewing reconsider. We went in January and it was very cold and we maybe saw 12 come out of the water.
The trip for us was a disappointment and we love Viator tours but I don’t recommend Todd one.
.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you experienced, especially regarding transportation and the commentary during the trip. Your comments about the microphone static and the limited penguin activity are appreciated and will be shared with our team to improve future tours. We understand how important a seamless and enriching experience is, and we're sorry this trip didn't meet your expectations. We value your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
Ana_A, Jan 2026
Great tour, guide was amazing and the staff from the tour operator was really helpful. We left a mobile phone in the bus and they called us immediately and offered different alternatives for us.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide and staff made your experience memorable. We're also glad we could assist quickly when you left your mobile phone on the bus. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we're happy we could help. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next adventure!
Promila_K, Jan 2026
It was a wonderful experience - the driver gave good information throughout trip and explained what to expect.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed the Phillip Island highlights and found the driver’s information helpful.
Anne_G, Dec 2025
It was really really cold, even though in the middle of the summer take plenty of warm clothes even a hat
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! Great tip about packing warm clothes, glad you enjoyed the tour despite the chill.
Darrin_K, Dec 2025
This could have been a much better experience. We made it to places but were rushed everywhere. We DID have enough time to have dinner without a big rush. SO many people at the penguin parade (to be expected) and we did get to see some in the burrows before it got dark..
Our driver, David with Autopia, was just going through the motions. Very gruff, strict rule NOT allowed to eat or drink anything in the coach (fabulous when we're in it for 5 hours) and no sense of humor. Kept telling parents and their kids to "zip it" when he was talking. You can't just say "please be quiet when I'm speaking"? He clearly doesn't enjoy his job anymore. He also did not let us know there were burrows along the boardwalk section at the Nobbies. Says he did, but we didn't hear that, nor did the rest of the families we spoke with. We also spent an extra half hour waiting for a couple that had the upgrade with the ranger talk. They should have made other travel arrangements or we shouldn't have been told to be back right at 10pm if he knew they were going to be late. In his defense, he didn't think it would be a full half hour, but more time stuck on the bus.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Phillip Island Penguin & Koala Highlights tour. We’re glad you enjoyed seeing the wildlife, and we’ll take your comments on pacing and guiding to heart as we continue improving 🐧🌿
Priyanka_A, Dec 2025
We had a wonderful experience on the guided bus tour to Phillip Island with our guide Cray. The tour was very well organized from start to finish, making it a relaxing and enjoyable day without having to worry about driving or planning logistics.
Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging, sharing interesting facts about the island’s history, wildlife, and local culture throughout the journey. The bus was comfortable and clean, and the itinerary was thoughtfully planned with enough time at each stop to explore without feeling rushed.
The highlights were definitely the stunning coastal views and the famous Penguin Parade, which was an unforgettable experience. Everything was clearly explained in advance, so we knew exactly what to expect and where to be.
Overall, this tour is a great option for anyone visiting the area, especially families or first-time visitors. It’s excellent value for money and a stress-free way to see one of Victoria’s most iconic destinations. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re delighted you had such a wonderful Phillip Island experience! Cray’s guiding, the coastal views, and the Penguin Parade truly make the day unforgettable 🐧🌊
Amanda_R, Dec 2025
A really great tour and experience with a very knowledgeable guide who gave lots of detailed information about history of area and wildlife
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re so glad you enjoyed the Phillip Island Penguin & Koala Highlights tour! Wonderful to hear our guide’s knowledge made the day even more enriching 🐧🌿
Sankalp_D, Dec 2025
It was a good experience with the icing on the cake being able to see a wake up Koala 😁 walking past close to us. The Penguin parade was a bit of disappointing as we were seated far away and were not able to view them up close. It was very windy and cold and would recommend carrying extra warms clothes to better enjoy the day. Time management could be improved.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re delighted you had a good experience and loved the koala encounter. Thank you for your helpful suggestions on seating, timing, and dressing warmly.
Ana_R, Dec 2025
Peter, our guide and driver, is exceptional! He is so kind, helpful and knowledgeable. I wish there had been more koalas to see, they are so adorable! The little penguins walking up the hill after dark was so amazing to watch. Will do this tour again.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Peter, our guide and driver, is truly exceptional! He is incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. I only wish there had been more koalas to see—they are just so adorable! Watching the little penguins walk up the hill after dark was an absolutely amazing experience. I would definitely do this tour again.
Richard_H, Nov 2025
What a fabulous day out. Lauren our driver was excellent with her commentary. The penguins have to be seen to be believed. Nature at its very best. Another 30 mins would have been even better.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re delighted you had such a fabulous day on Phillip Island! Lauren will be thrilled her commentary added to your experience, and we’re so glad the penguins made it unforgettable.
Scott_F, Nov 2025
What an amazing trip. Our driver Joel was brilliant. His attitude, knowledge and patience is brilliant.
We had a short stop to see Koalas, then dinner in Cowes (the corner burgers are amazing) then off to The Nobbies for a quick look where you might see seals and penguins.
Then off to the highlight... the penguin parade. These little guys are so cute but wary so be patient. You are not allowed to take pictures as this scares them but the staff have QR codes where you can download loads of pics for free.
It can get cold so wrap up but enjoy it.
Just a wee footnote. Some people are rude, try to take sneaky pics and videos so the staff have to constantly patrol the seating area. Also many stand up and block your view so a seat near the edge is best.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re delighted you had such an amazing trip with Joel! It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the wildlife stops, the penguin parade, and Joel’s knowledge and care along the way. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips!
Jeanne_D, Nov 2025
The koala reserve was a lovely surprise. Wouldn’t have missed the penguin parade! Our guide was so knowledgeable and informative!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the koalas and the unforgettable penguin parade. Our guide will be thrilled to hear your feedback.
Alina_v, Nov 2025
Wonderful experience! I enjoyed the koalas and the sanctuary, walking on the boardwalk at the Nobbies, and the penguin parade!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the koalas and the sanctuary, the walk at the Nobbies, and the penguin parade. It's always a pleasure to know our guests have memorable experiences. We look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures soon!
jean_w, Nov 2025
When we booked it, it showed a kind of burrow with a glass front that we were to be in...there was nothing like that there
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for your feedback. We’re sorry the experience didn’t match expectations. We’ll look into this and appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
Gita_s, Nov 2025
It was an unforgettable experience. Totally recommended for everyone!
The penguins, the landscape, and our driver, Tom, were great storytellers!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for the glowing review! We're thrilled the penguins, scenery, and Tom’s storytelling made the day truly unforgettable. So glad you’d recommend it to others!
J_D, Nov 2025
Tour guide was very knowledgeable, he made our trip very enjoyable. He told us the best seat. This is a “Must Do” for anyone visiting Melbourne..
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the kind words! We're so glad you had a great time and found the tour guide’s tips helpful, Phillip Island truly is a must-do.
Gary_P, Nov 2025
It’s a long drive from Melbourne to see this beautiful place and well worth the time. Plan on something to do to occupy yourself on the bus. Make sure you have a wire for your phone (usb, not c). The bus rows do not allow for a great deal of leg room. The penguin parade is charming and will delight all age groups
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your helpful feedback! We're glad you found the trip from Melbourne worth the long drive and enjoyed the Penguin Parade. Your tips about bringing a phone charger and preparing for limited legroom on the bus are very useful for future travelers. We appreciate your insights and hope to host you on another memorable excursion soon!
From $129.33
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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