Puffing Billy Train and Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour
Melbourne, Australia
- 11 to 12 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Puffing Billy train ticket (Oneway, around 30-60mins)
- Penguin Island standard viewing platform ticket
- Guide
- Meals and attractions not mentioned in the itinerary or specified as self-paid
- Guide tip $5 per person
- The Maru Koala and Animal Park is a self-propelled attraction (some days will visit Moonlight Zoo)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
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End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Puffing Billy Railway
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Maru Koala and Animal Park
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
The Nobbies
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Nicola_P
Great all day trip, pick up was punctual. The Puffing Billy train surpassed all my expectations, the scenery was so beautiful and it was great fun sat on the train with your legs dangling on the outside. Loved Philip Island too, it was so beautiful and we did see some penguins. Ricky our tour guide was amazing, he was very knowledgeable, gave some great advice and also made us laugh.
Reviews
4.1
based on 31 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Anyao_R, Jul 2026
We had a wonderful day on the Puffing Billy and Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour. Shin was an excellent guide—professional, attentive, and very patient. He always made sure every guest was safely back on the bus before leaving each stop. He also gave us great advice on the best places for photos and the best viewing spots, and was always happy to help take pictures for everyone. His friendly attitude made the whole trip enjoyable. The only suggestion I have is that it would be even better if the optional stop at Maru Wildlife Park could be replaced with a visit to the Brighton Beach Boxes.
Susradha_P, Jul 2026
From pick up to drop off along with the full tour was amazing. Our tour guide Mr Simon was just amazing
JoseLuis_D, Jun 2026
We had an amazing trip and Daniel went above and beyond for the group. The journey and ticket buying was seamless. The energy he brought was great and the tidbits of history/trivia during the ride were all interesting. He was also very helpful with and gave good tips and insider knowledge in taking good pictures at Penguin Parade.
Vimal_H, Jun 2026
It was a great experience, mostly because of our tour guide Daniel Yang!! Highly recommended if travelling to Melbourne.
Mark_C, Jun 2026
It was a long day but each stop was full of fun...would be 5 stars but only a few penguins (not really something they can plan)
Beach, small zoo, train and penguins... all in 11hours.
Daniel, our driver and guide, was well spoken in English and chinese. He was able to direct us for the best views on the train and where to see the most penguins.
Even when some kids were noisy, he calmy carried on. He drove safely the whole day.
Phaison_N, Jun 2026
今天玩得很开心！这是一次充满快乐和收获的旅行。非常感谢导游，您的讲解非常完美，我很喜欢。
The guide suggested the best and most worthwhile things for this tour, and the two of us followed their advice. We ended up having such a wonderful time
我们是泰国来的，这次旅行非常棒！我们一定会再来的，非常感谢您的服务。非常感谢 Thank you so much! ขอบคุณมากครับ To Samon
Pornchanok_T, Jun 2026
Full in the big van that is understanding but our guide only provide basic information even sometimes not clearly about the time appointment. the most thing I would really wanna comment is he has less willing to help and service mind at all. We forgot some need stuff in the car, instead of helping he complaint about that and have no direction of management many things such as accompany that have variety of nationality
yingentania, Jun 2026
This tour is very nice in time management as we can visit all the places we want efficiently and our driver Daniel has very good service and kind
Jessica_M, Jun 2026
Unfortunately, I would not recommend this tour. The guide repeated every explanation first in English and then in Chinese, which made the tour unnecessarily long. On top of that, her English was difficult to understand, so the explanations often felt confusing and poorly delivered.
What could have been a short and engaging presentation turned into lengthy and repetitive speeches that were hard to follow.
I was also disappointed that the guide openly expected tips at the end of the tour. In my opinion, tips should be earned through good service and left entirely at the guests’ discretion. In this case, I did not feel the service justified a tip.
Overall, the experience did not meet my expectations, and I would not choose this tour again.
Janice_F, Apr 2026
An excellent trip , our guide was really good and gave clear instruction all the way through this 9 hour day trip , he was always there to meet us at the end of each excursion. Puffin Billy train was good fun and seeing the penguins come in from the sea and home to their burrows was a wonderful experience . A fair bit of travelling but comfortable transportation .
Nicole_B, Apr 2026
A wonderful, but full day out. Puffing Billy is a must do when visiting Melbourne. The penguins were also amazing.
George_B, Mar 2026
DO NOT use Viator. This is a rip off and VIATOR is A RIP OFF. I will never use VIATOR again!!!! They let the tour operator Aaron CHEN provide erroneous info about the length of this trip. It IS 13+ hrs not the original stated 10-12hrs first listed in description. We paid for the tour then discovered we would NEVER get back to our departing Ship in time. When I called the operator, Aaron Chen he requested my “back acct numbers” instead of refunding uber costs directly to the CC provided upon ticket purchase. DO NOt take this tour unless you plan to return 13-14 hrs after pick up. Ricky Lee, the driver starts he has NEVER returned before 1130pm-midnight. VIATOR does NOT back their tour provided service, even with documentation of the deliberate false info by Viator Help; the fact that, CHEN, the owner tried up obtain access to my bank account after SCREAMING at my over the phone, VIATOR refused to refund money for the excursion we were unable to complete. Not to mention that one stop (as stated in description) you have to pay extra for and you arrive.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, and we would like to clarify a few important points:
Firstly, regarding the tour duration — the timing of the return is largely dependent on the penguin arrival schedule at Phillip Island. The little penguins come ashore at varying times each day, and if their arrival is later, the overall tour will naturally finish later as well. This is a natural event and unfortunately not something we can control.
Secondly, when you advised that you needed to return earlier, we did offer a solution by covering your Uber cost so you could leave ahead of the group. In order to process this reimbursement, we requested your payment details. However, you declined to provide this information due to concerns about security. We fully respect your caution, but without receiving the necessary account details, we were unfortunately unable to complete the refund. We would genuinely like to understand how we could have processed the reimbursement without the required information.
We always aim to be transparent and supportive in resolving issues, and we remain open to working with you toward a fair outcome.
Conor_M, Feb 2026
A packed day of experiences and adventure, we discovered a lot more than a simple snapshot of Australia. Aaron our guide was very knowledgebale and conciensious, having put a lot of effort into making sure everyone had a great day and value for our money.
Karyn_D, Feb 2026
Whilst Evan was a very good driver and the sites were worth visiting, as one of only 3 non Mandarin Chinese passengers, (2 Vietnamese) the whole trip was directed at them. After the 1st information issued at length in mandarin and concise in English I timed the following 2 sets of information announcements. These lasted 18 minutes in mandarin (6 in English) and 16 minutes in mandarin (3 in English) There were obviously inside jokes going on in mandarin because of the laughter which we obviously felt left out of.
Lunch was directed to a Chinese restaurant or McDonald’s no other choices advised when there is a high street about 5 mins walk with more choice.
At Cowes we were not given any information in English other than to be back at the bus on time (driver was more interested in a call about his broken tv).
As an English native speaking holiday maker I feel I should have been advised that this trip was tailored to the Mandarin Chinese population.
Alex_C, Jan 2026
Not an 8-10 hour trip at all & does not start at 8:30. Text the day before to advise pick up time 9:40. On the bus we are told we will get back to our drop off location at midnight. A lot of time spent on the bus.
The tour guide was nice enough, clear instructions for the most part. Bus was in need of a bath. Would have been great to look out the window & see the sights but it was covered in dirt. Tissues & other rubbish shoved down between seats. Desperately needs a bath. We spent over an hour at three different spots that we really did not need that much time to explore. The spot at nobbies where you walk on the board walk does not have a bathroom.
Penguins were very cute & we were grateful for that experience but overall I would not go again if I had this information. Getting back to our drop off location in the city then having to get a cab home & finally make it back at 1am. Insane.
Laura_O, Oct 2025
This trip is not suitable for young children. The Puffing Billy Experience is just a train ride - you don't really see anything. Our guide parked up a ridiculously steep hill, no consideration with a toddler. We were promised lunch in our ticket - we did not get this. They took us to Services for McDonalds, which is not good enough! We spent the majority of the day on the bus - and it was a long day. When we finally arrived to watch the penguins, we had to give our guide a $5 each in order for him to give us our tickets. Seeing the penguins were amazing, but it is not a full day trip.
TAEHONG_J, Oct 2025
I chose the English guide, but all but two of my family are Chinese, and the guide only uses Chinese. There is only a simple English introduction
Zahra_R, Oct 2025
We had fun on the Puffing Billy Train Ride. Loved sitting with my legs hanging out. The scenery was also lovely. The train seats were also comfortable.
The penguin parade was not what I imagined. It was dark and the penguins were far away and it was hard to see. It was not worth the money I spent on the activity. I would have rather seen them in an aquarium where u can get a good look at them. Photos and videos were not allowed and even if they were, nothing would come out clearly.
Alexandra_I, Oct 2025
I booked a tour starting 8.30am, I received an email that the pickup is at 10.30am and it is 11am and we are still not out from Collins street. There is no mention of summer or winter hour in your presentation. The bus number was wrong.
Also I booked an ENGLISH tour group and we are in an all Chinese one, made to listen to the english version on my phone. Although the driver lady is nice, the information on this activity is wrong.
If I would’ve had all this infos in advance, be sure I wouldn’t book it with them, I would’ve looked for one in English, with an earlier starting hour.
PremLata_P, Sep 2025
The Puffing Billy ride through the forest for an hour was great. Even the weather was very cold and raining but we all enjoyed on board.
Russell_H, Aug 2025
Great excursion from the centre of Melbourne. Our guide, Ricky Lee, was superb. Very informative but also very funny. Gave us great tips for viewing the Little Penguins.
Baqer_B, Jul 2025
the trip was very interesting and the atmosphere was great, also tye driver was so friendly,
thank you guys
Nicola_P, Jul 2025
Great all day trip, pick up was punctual. The Puffing Billy train surpassed all my expectations, the scenery was so beautiful and it was great fun sat on the train with your legs dangling on the outside. Loved Philip Island too, it was so beautiful and we did see some penguins. Ricky our tour guide was amazing, he was very knowledgeable, gave some great advice and also made us laugh.
kylie_a, Jun 2025
Awesome experience....puffing Billy,lunch,Australian animals and the penguin parade......worth while.xxxxx
Good Value and well organised....English and mandorine tour guide.
Teddy_S, Jun 2025
This was an amazing experience on an old steam engine train. The views were amazing. I would definitely recommend!
Dhaivat_V, May 2025
It was an amazing experience and lifetime memories with a great guide/ driver Mr Lei Jhong BD Holidays. He took really great personalised care of us
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌟
We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with us — it truly means the world to our team. We hope to welcome you back again soon for more unforgettable adventures in Australia!
Jonathan_D, Apr 2025
Actually primarily cater for chinese tourist but overall my experience is very good with them! Our guide (english name John) was very accommodating and is quite chill. Great services
Lisa_C, Apr 2025
A really complete experience. We saw a lot of things !
The tour is in mandarin but the guide translated for me.
Don't forget to bring cash for the tip ( mandatory) and if you want to do the Maru animal park.
Amanda_r, Mar 2025
Just know this is a primarily Chinese tour but the guide is amazing and translates everything for you. This was the only tour I found that offers train, koalas and penguins parade and that was a big factor in why we chose it. The animal park is a separate admission of $33AUD and additional $30 if you want to get up close to the koalas. That was literally just to take pictures while petting it and no other show or commentary with that. But feeding the kangaroos was quite amazing along with other up close animals. The penguins was not what I expected but overall still an amazing and unforgettable experience.
EGOR_L, Sep 2025
Great tour. The route is perfectly planned, all locations have enough time to inspect, visit toilets, souvenir shops, etc. The group is small (up to 20 people), moving clearly on schedule without delay. Guide Evan takes the utmost care for every tourist, tries to help and prompt details. I don't speak very good English, but I was clear in the guide's speech, both all the organizational and all the information about the locations.
The route is full, bringing many positive emotions from each location - stunning views, contact animals, penguins. All tickets (train, penguins) are already included in the price; the wildlife park is purchased separately if you wish, but you must go there. In terms of price, it is also one of the best options on the market.
Given the lack of Russian-speaking guides, this is probably the best offer for a Russian tourist (as well as tourists from other countries).
Thank you and wish the company further development.
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Puffing Billy Train and Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour
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