
Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne worth booking?
Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne is a 9-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $110 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $110 per person
Experience the Phillip Island Penguin Parade on a half-day afternoon tour from Melbourne, perfect for travellers short on time. Skip the full-day tour and travel direct to Phillip Island, arriving in time to explore the coastal scenery at The Nobbies before sunset. At The Nobbies, stroll scenic boardwalks overlooking rugged cliffs and ocean views of Bass Strait. Take in views toward Seal Rocks and, if conditions are right, watch the blowhole in action along this spectacular coastline. As evening falls, witness the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade, where hundreds of little penguins return from the ocean and waddle across the beach to their burrows. This unforgettable wildlife experience is a highlight of any visit to Victoria. This Phillip Island afternoon tour from Melbourne is ideal for those wanting a shorter, more direct experience without a full-day commitment. Pickup is also available from San Remo for guests staying on or near Phillip Island.
What you get
About this experience
Experience the Phillip Island Penguin Parade on a half-day afternoon tour from Melbourne, perfect for travellers short on time. Skip the full-day tour and travel direct to Phillip Island, arriving in time to explore the coastal scenery at The Nobbies before sunset. At The Nobbies, stroll scenic boardwalks overlooking rugged cliffs and ocean views of Bass Strait. Take in views toward Seal Rocks and, if conditions are right, watch the blowhole in action along this spectacular coastline. As evening falls, witness the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade, where hundreds of little penguins return from the ocean and waddle across the beach to their burrows. This unforgettable wildlife experience is a highlight of any visit to Victoria. This Phillip Island afternoon tour from Melbourne is ideal for those wanting a shorter, more direct experience without a full-day commitment. Pickup is also available from San Remo for guests staying on or near Phillip Island.
What's included
Included
- All fees and taxes
- General admission into Penguin Parade
- Return transport to/from Melbourne
Not included
- Dinner
- Snacks
What you'll see and do
Phillip Island
Depart Melbourne mid-afternoon and travel directly to The Nobbies, including a short comfort stop on the way.
150 minutes here
The Nobbies Centre
At The Nobbies, you can explore the boardwalks and enjoy panoramic coastal views of Bass Strait, stroll along the clifftop boardwalks with views out to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. You'll be able to take in an array of stunning sights as you explore the boardwalks, and if you're lucky, you might even see the blowhole in action!
45 minutes here
Penguin Parade
Experience the amazing sight of little penguins waddling home from the ocean to their burrows at Phillip Island. Home to the largest little penguin colony in the world, you can watch these amazing seabirds every night of the year from our general viewing platform and boardwalks.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Melbourne
Following the Penguin Parade, relax as we make our way back to Melbourne.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
Please wait at the Bus Stop outside the Mail Exchange Hotel - 688 Bourke St
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please wait at the Bus Stop outside the Mail Exchange Hotel - 688 Bourke St
Options you can book
Tour Plus Penguins Plus
Penguins Plus Upgrade: Superb up-close viewing from the tiered seating in Penguins Plus
General Viewing
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- hi, de, ko, pt, yue, en, it, fr, es, ar, vi, ja, zh-CN, nl
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Explore Australia Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Impressive journery
Antony is amzing guide, althought it was raining all the day but his energy and enthusiasium have brought us a great vibe. he is super nice and helpful.
via Tripadvisor
It was an amazing...
It was an amazing experience to see all those little penguins. Brooke planned and explained everything perfectly. Dress warm!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🐧💜 We’re delighted to hear you had an amazing experience seeing the penguins. Brooke will be thrilled to hear that she helped make the experience so enjoyable and seamless. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again soon! 🌟
via Viator
I dont know because we didnt end up going
We were set to go to Philip Island, unfortunately we missed the tour bus because of miss communication. On thier tour description and tour ticket we received they set the meeting point at one location which is incorrect. The tour company did message me once asking to confirm the pick up had changed but I never replied meaning I never saw the message. They reached out on whats app the day off at the time of pick up because they didnt see us. We then took an Uber which was a bad idea. With the traffic even though the tour bus did extend the wait time but we still missed the it by 3 min. Sadly we did not get to see the penguins, which was largely the reason we came to Melbourne. My advice check, check and recheck the pick up location.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are very sorry you missed the tour and understand how disappointing that must have been, especially as seeing the penguins was a highlight. We did try our best to contact you regarding the pick-up, but unfortunately the timing did not work out. We hope to have the chance to welcome you on another Explore Australia Tours adventure in the future so you can enjoy the penguins and the stunning coastal views.
via Tripadvisor
We loved every bit of this tour!
Would like to thank Mark for the tour today. Mark was very accommodating and we were extremely grateful to be able to be picked up and dropped off at San Remo. Mark had the knowledge of Phillip Island, the animals and history of the area. I highly recommend this tour to everyone of all ages. The Nobbies was beautiful, Woolamai beach was stunning and Cowes is a great stop for dinner but our highlight was seeing the cute penguins at Penguin Parade! This tour did not disappoint :) Thanks Mark and Explore Australia for this beautiful tour. We’ll be back again in the future.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed every part of the Phillip Island tour and that Mark helped make the day so special with his knowledge and care. It’s wonderful to know you loved the scenery at The Nobbies, Woolamai Beach, and Cowes, but of course, the penguins at the Penguin Parade were a highlight. We really appreciate your recommendation and kind words. Thank you for travelling with Explore Australia Tours, and we look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $110 to $225
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Explore Australia Tours, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.2.
See everything Explore Australia Tours runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne cost?
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Prices start at $110 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 Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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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 Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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Around 2 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne 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 From Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Cider & Chocolate tour, Melbourne: Epic Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch - Gin/Beer Upgrade, 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.
What is included in Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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Included: All fees and taxes; General admission into Penguin Parade; and Return transport to/from Melbourne. Not included: Dinner; and Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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Please wait at the Bus Stop outside the Mail Exchange Hotel - 688 Bourke St Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne offered in?
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It is offered in Hindi, German, Korean, Portuguese, Cantonese, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Dutch. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Melbourne. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Philip Island Penguin Parade Full-Day Tour from Melbourne?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Tour Plus Penguins Plus, General Viewing. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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