Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 277 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade worth booking?
Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade is a 14-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $199 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 277 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (277)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $199 per person
Experience the magic of Melbourne and enjoy two destinations in a single day! Our expert guide will take you to some of Melbourne's most iconic buildings and cultural landmarks before heading to Phillip Island to witness
What you get
About this experience
Experience the magic of Melbourne and enjoy two destinations in a single day! Our expert guide will take you to some of Melbourne's most iconic buildings and cultural landmarks before heading to Phillip Island to witness the world-famous penguin parade. Melbourne, a city bursting with lush gardens, vibrant restaurants, charming alleys, and a buzzing art scene, is waiting for you. We'll kick things off with iconic photo spots, like the MCG forecourt, Hosier Lane, Fitzroy Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance. These aren't just places; they're your ticket to unforgettable moments and Instagram-worthy snapshots. But hold onto your hats, because after the Melbourne buzz, it's time to switch gears and immerse yourself in nature. Walk along the scenic coastal boardwalks at The Nobbies and as the sun dips below the horizon, get ready for the grand finale—the Penguin Parade. It's a natural spectacle that'll leave you in awe.
What's included
Included
- Entry fees for attractions & Phillip island Penguin Parade
- On-board WiFi
- All internal transfers
- Friendly & Informative Tour Guide
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Food & Drink
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Melbourne
Join us for a morning Melbourne City Discovery Tour, followed by a trip to Phillip Island to experience the Penguin Parade!
120 minutes here
Hosier Lane
Stroll through Melbourne's most famous street art destination, renowned for its constantly changing murals and vibrant graffiti. This narrow laneway has become a cultural hotspot, showcasing Melbourne's dynamic art scene.
15 minutes here
Flinders Street Station
Take a drive past Melbourne's iconic landmark, Flinders Street Station!
Pass by without stopping
St Paul's Cathedral
Admire the stunning St. Paul's Cathedral, a magnificent architecture in the heart of Melbourne.
Pass by without stopping
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Pass by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Australia's oldest and most visited art museum, showcasing a remarkable collection of art from around the world.
Pass by without stopping
Shrine of Remembrance
Honour the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I and now a memorial to all Australians who served in global conflicts. Guests can enjoy stunning views of Melbourne from the viewing area.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Stop by Australia’s biggest stadium and learn all about our original game of Australian Rules Football. We visit the forecourt area only.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Old Treasury Building
Admire the Old Treasury Building, a beautiful heritage site showcasing Melbourne's rich history.
Pass by without stopping
Parliament House of Victoria
Appreciate the Parliament House, a landmark with remarkable architecture at the center of the city's political landscape.
Pass by without stopping
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral, a leading example of Gothic-revival architecture.
20 minutes here
Fitzroy Gardens
Visit Fitzroy Gardens, where you'll go for a quick stop at the Conservatory, a stunning display of lush plant life in the heart of the city and Cook's Cottage, the historic home of Captain James Cook's parents.
15 minutes here
Little Lon Distilling Co.
Take a brief stroll at a local distillery offering a taste of Melbourne’s craft spirits.
5 minutes here
Lygon Street
Pass by Lygon Street, famous for its vibrant Italian cafés and restaurants.
Pass by without stopping
Royal Exhibition Building
Pass through the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site renowned for its impressive design and historical significance.
Pass by without stopping
Queen Victoria Market
Drive by Queen Victoria Market, a bustling hub for fresh produce, food, and local goods.
Pass by without stopping
Phillip Island
Once we meet next to the Immigration Museum after lunch, we’ll begin our journey to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade!
180 minutes here
Cape Woolamai Beach
Stop by this stunning surf beach at Cape Woolamai! We visit this spot only during the summer.
30 minutes here
Cowes
Enjoy a dinner stop in Cowes, offering a variety of dining options! We only stop at this spot during the summer.
60 minutes here
The Nobbies
Enjoy beautiful views across the ocean while you spot the local seal colony.
15 minutes here
Penguin Parade
The nightly spectacular! See the cute little penguins waddle ashore to their nesting grounds. Stroll along the boardwalks and enjoy a world-class visitors' centre filled with interesting exhibitions on the worlds smallest penguin.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
Please wait at the corner of Flinders & Market Streets, next to the Immigration Museum. **Please do not wait at the front entry of the Museum** - Pickup is at 9am if travelling during non-daylight savings, AEST. - Pickup is at 10am if travelling during daylight savings, AEDT.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please wait at the corner of Flinders & Market Streets, next to the Immigration Museum. **Please do not wait at the front entry of the Museum** - Pickup is at 9am if travelling during non-daylight savings, AEST. - Pickup is at 10am if travelling during daylight savings, AEDT.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- hi, de, ru, ko, pt, cmn, ms, en, it, fr, es, ar, vi, th, ja
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Go West Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Photography of any kind is not permitted at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board
- The total duration of the tour is between 12-14 hours depending on the season
- The itinerary includes vehicle based sightseeing across Melbourne, photo opportunities at key locations, all internal transfers & a visit to Phillip Island
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 277 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
277 verified traveler reviews for Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Go West Tour awesome penguin parade trip
The trip is really awesome. My tour guide Johnel is so experience. Perfect time management. Detailed explanation. The little penguin is so cute and lovely. I strongly recommend this Go West Tour!!!
via Tripadvisor
JAI is awesome
Really good experience, great job!
via Tripadvisor
10/10
Amazing experience with Jai he was a great guide with a lot of fun facts. He was also very energetic and entertaining. Thank you Jai
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour, Worth the Money
I has a wonderful time on the GoWest Tours around Melbourne and the penguin parade. We got to see so many great sights, like the Brighton Beach boxes, Moonlit Safari and Phillip Island. The tour guide/driver Simon was incredible. He gave just the right amount of fun facts and info as well as tips of how to best navigate the different attractions. He really did an excellent job the entire day. Overall, I had a wonderful experience, Simon was a fantastic guide, and I would definitely recommend the experience to others!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're so glad you had such a wonderful day exploring Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island with Simon. It sounds like you made the most of every stop! It's great to hear Simon's commentary struck just the right balance, and that his tips helped you get the most out of each attraction. He'll be so pleased to know his knowledge and friendly approach helped make your day such an enjoyable one. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Simon. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience with us. We really appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another Go West adventure in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Loved it all
Alisha our guide was friendly and helpful. Service was excellent
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $199 to $219
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 97
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade cost?
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Prices start at $199 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Melbourne usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade take?
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Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Melbourne is not rushed.
Is Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 277 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 14-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade?
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Around 97 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Melbourne can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Melbourne and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-day Melbourne City Sightseeing with Penguin Parade start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Melbourne within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
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On Outty we rank every Melbourne experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour, Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting, Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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