Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne
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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
4.9/5
Based on 214 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne worth booking?
Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne is a 12-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $171 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 214 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (214)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $171 per person
The perfect Phillip Island tour for those wanting more than just the Penguin Parade, as we also indulge in local food and wine, spot native wildlife, and take in the breath-taking views of the hidden side of the Island.
What you get
About this experience
The perfect Phillip Island tour for those wanting more than just the Penguin Parade, as we also indulge in local food and wine, spot native wildlife, and take in the breath-taking views of the hidden side of the Island. Your day begins at the Melbourne Arts Centre, where you’ll meet your local guide and settle into our premium midi-coach. We travel in small groups of no more than 15 guests. Our first stop is the coastal haven of San Remo, the gateway to Phillip Island. Then, enjoy a cellar door wine tasting and grazing experience at the award-winning Phillip Island Winery, followed by a shared-plate lunch by the bay. Next, explore charming Cowes at your own pace, with time to wander beaches and boutiques, or choose to spot Koalas at the conversation reserve. We continue to The Nobbies for golden hour, with sweeping ocean views and wildlife, paired with a glass of sparkling wine. The day finishes at the world-famous Penguin Parade, with general viewing entry included.
What's included
Included
- Expert Local Tour Guide - with insider knowledge of Phillip Island
- Wood-Fired Pizza & Sides Grazing Lunch - at our Sea-Side Restaurant
- Sparkling Wine or Beer - at our Nobbies Golden Hour Location for Sunset
- Small Group Travel on our Premium Midi-Coach with Free WiFi
- Penguin Parade Entry - with Boardwalk and Viewing Platform Access
- Guided Wine Tasting & Grazing Platter - at the Phillip Island Winery
Not included
- Dinner
What you'll see and do
Arts Centre Melbourne
Begin your Phillip Island adventure with a complimentary Melbourne barista coffee from the Arts Centre. Board your luxury midi-coach and join fellow travellers for a personalised small-group experience through Victoria's spectacular coastal region to Phillip Island.
15 minutes here
San Remo
Welcome to San Remo, where the iconic Phillip Island Bridge welcomes you to Bass Coast. Stretch your legs along the foreshore, watch resident Australian pelicans, and capture your first coastal photographs of this famous Victorian fishing village.
30 minutes here
Phillip Island
Welcome to Phillip Island, home to a small population of 15,000 which swells well beyond this number during busy holiday seasons.
Pass by without stopping
Phillip Island Winery
Arrive at boutique Phillip Island Winery for premium cellar-door wine tasting featuring award-winning Gippsland wines. Enjoy guided tasting of six local wines, accompanied by generous grazing boards of Victorian meats, cheeses and artisan breads, followed by wood-fired pizza feast with sea-salt fries and gourmet salads. Note: On select days, meals are served at our partner Phillip Island seaside restaurant with an identical high-quality menu.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Cape Woolamai
Pass by one of Phillip Island's three main settlements as we make our way to Cowes.
Pass by without stopping
Cowes
Explore Phillip Island's main township with beaches, local shops, and relaxed coastal streetscape. Your guide highlights local Cowes favorites before free exploration time.
60 minutes here
Flynns Beach
Stop at this pristine Phillip Island beach for golden Bass Strait sands, crystal-clear waters, and fresh Victorian sea air.
15 minutes here
The Nobbies Centre
Arrive at The Nobbies' clifftop boardwalks during golden hour. Spot seabirds, wallabies, and Australian fur seals from spectacular Bass Strait views while enjoying a glass of celebratory sparkling wine as day turns to dusk over Phillip Island.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Penguin Parade
Experience the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade with general viewing tickets. Explore the interactive Visitor Centre, enjoy dinner from the onsite cafe if you wish, then take your place to witness thousands of Little Penguins return from Bass Strait at sunset, with guided commentary as they waddle through. Australia's most popular wildlife attraction.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Melbourne
Return back to Melbourne after a fulfilling day of nature, wildlife observation, and wine. We Dropoff back at the Melbourne Arts Centre or city center hotels on request.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
- Meet outside Protagonist Café at Arts Centre Melbourne (100R St Kilda Rd) - look for the giant spire. - Easy access via trams in Free Tram Zone. - Just 5 mins from Flinders St Station or 5–10 mins walk from most city centre hotels. - Post-tour we can dropoff to city-center hotels upon request.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
- Meet outside Protagonist Café at Arts Centre Melbourne (100R St Kilda Rd) - look for the giant spire. - Easy access via trams in Free Tram Zone. - Just 5 mins from Flinders St Station or 5–10 mins walk from most city centre hotels. - Post-tour we can dropoff to city-center hotels upon request.
Options you can book
Standard Tour + Penguin Plus
Penguin Parade - Penguin Plus
Standard Tour
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Local Way Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 214 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
214 verified traveler reviews for Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice parts
Yuri our guide was excellent. A pizza and salad lunch was included and it was quite good. The views were lovely. Lots of wallabys. We stopped at a mead maker instead of the winery and it was quite good. The purveyor was lovely and it was inside this lovely multipurpose space. We enjoyed the koala sanctuary. The staff were nice and knowledgeable. We saw sleeping koalas and possums. The penguin march is an absolute mess. The tourists are really, really badly behaved. At the koala sanctuary, the signs say to be quiet and then there are screaming children, loud pushy adults and 10x worse at the penguins. It was hard to enjoy the penguins because people are so loud and do all the things the staff say not to do. On the way back, it is a very dark cattle call of people yelling, pushing, screaming young people back to the parking lot. The private penguin viewing may be worth the extra cost.
via Viator
Fantastic Phillip Island Tour with Ned!
An unforgettable day trip to Phillip Island! We saw adorable koalas, pelicans, wallaby, gray geese, enjoyed a spectacular winery tasting, and finished with the amazing Penguin Parade. Everything was well organized and perfectly timed. A special thanks to our guide, Ned, who was friendly, knowledgeable, punctual, and always helpful. He made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: We're delighted to hear your Phillip Island tour was such a memorable one. It sounds like you enjoyed an incredible day, from meeting Australia's unique wildlife and sampling local wines to ending the evening with the unforgettable Penguin Parade. We're so pleased everything ran smoothly and that the itinerary gave you the chance to experience so much in one day! Thank you for your recommendation and for booking with us at Local Way Tours :)
via Tripadvisor
Honeymoon with the penguins
We had a wonderful day with beautiful weather & our awesome guid Uri, funny funny friendly guy. He gave us useful tips & advice to ensure we got the most out of our tour. Thank you Uri.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a lovely review, and congratulations on your honeymoon! We're thrilled to hear you had a wonderful day and that the beautiful weather made your visit to Phillip Island even more special. Yuri will be so pleased to know he helped make your experience memorable. We hope the penguins were the perfect highlight of your honeymoon, and that the memories you made will stay with you for years to come. Thank you for choosing to celebrate such a special occasion with us, and we wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!
via Tripadvisor
Lovely day trip from Melbourne!
Sue was an exceptional tour guide. Views were great and the penguins were SUPER cute! The pizza and wine was also amazing!
Response from the operator: G'Day! Thanks so much for your review. We're glad you enjoyed yourself!
via Tripadvisor
A great day of different...
A great day of different experiences traveling from Melbourne to Phillip Island. Our guide, Sue, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The time at the winery was especially enjoyable with great wines, delicious food and conversation with our fellow travelers. We ended the evening with the penguin parade where we were able to see many little penguins make the journey from the ocean to their burrows. We are very glad we chose this day trip!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review! We're happy to hear you enjoyed yourself with Sue while exploring the beautiful Phillip Island
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $171 to $410
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 75
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne cost?
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Prices start at $171 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 Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 214 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine 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 Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine Tour from Melbourne?
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Around 75 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 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Phillip Island Small-Group Penguins & Wine 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 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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