Phillip Island Day Trip from Melbourne with Penguin Plus Viewing Platform and Koala Reserve Visit
by Autopia Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.A$500Overview
This 9.5-hour coach tour from Melbourne focuses on wildlife at Phillip Island. The highlight is the penguin parade viewed from the exclusive Penguins Plus platform, offering a reserved seat to watch the world’s smallest penguins return to shore at sunset. The tour begins with a 1 hour 45 minute drive to Phillip Island, where guests meet a ranger for a guided walk through the Koala Conservation Reserve. The ranger provides a presentation on koalas, the reserve’s history, and the island’s natural woodland. After the koala visit, the tour includes a stop to see parts of Phillip Island’s 10,000-hectare habitat, which supports over a hundred animal species and a population of around 15,000 residents. The coach drives through the main settlements, including Cape Woolamai, New Haven, and Cowes. There is a 30-minute break to walk around Cowes Beach, a coastal town by Westernport Bay with shops and restaurants. Next, the tour reaches the Nobbies Centre for about 45 minutes. Guests can take an optional guided walk on the boardwalks to observe the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The route continues along backroads through the Phillip Island Penguin Habitat, offering coastal cliff views on the way to the penguin parade. The final stop is the Penguin Parade, lasting about two hours at the Visitor Information Centre, where guests watch the penguins coming ashore at sunset. The tour includes live commentary by an expert driver-guide and travel on an air-conditioned coach.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Koala Conservation Reserve
After a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Melbourne, the group meets a Phillip Island Nature Parks Ranger for a guided walk through the Koala Reserve. The ranger presents information about koalas, the reserve’s history, and the island’s last area of natural woodland. The guide assists the ranger and supports the group during the walk. The visit lasts about 45 minutes.
45 min
Phillip Island
Following the Koala Reserve, the coach proceeds to Phillip Island, a 10,000-hectare area home to over a hundred animal species. The island’s population is around 15,000, increasing during tourist seasons. The main settlements on the island include Cape Woolamai, New Haven, and Cowes. This stop lasts approximately 45 minutes.
45 min
Cape Woolamai
Cape Woolamai is one of the three main settlements on Phillip Island, alongside New Haven and Cowes. The population here is about 15,000, with numbers rising in busy tourist periods.
Cowes Beach
The tour stops for around 30 minutes in Cowes, a coastal township on Westernport Bay. Named after Cowes on the Isle of Wight, it offers seaside views, unique shops, and restaurants where guests can buy food.
30 min
The Nobbies Centre
At the Nobbies Rocks, guests have about 45 minutes to take an optional guided walk along boardwalks to observe the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The coach then travels along Phillip Island backroads through the Penguin Habitat, providing views of coastal cliffs en route to the penguin parade.
45 min
Penguin Parade
The main event is the two-hour penguin parade at the Visitor Information Centre. Guests watch the Little Penguins, the smallest penguin species, returning from the sea at sunset. The Penguins Plus viewing platform gives a reserved seat for a clear view of this daily ritual.
120 min
Meeting point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum - 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne. Alternatively, if you wish to change your pickup location please contact our reservations team on +61 39393 1333.
End point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum - 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne. Alternatively, if you wish to change your pickup location please contact our reservations team on +61 39393 1333.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Phillip Island Day Trip from Melbourne with Penguin Plus Viewing Platform and Koala Reserve Visit
by Autopia Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.A$500Overview
This 9.5-hour coach tour from Melbourne focuses on wildlife at Phillip Island. The highlight is the penguin parade viewed from the exclusive Penguins Plus platform, offering a reserved seat to watch the world’s smallest penguins return to shore at sunset. The tour begins with a 1 hour 45 minute drive to Phillip Island, where guests meet a ranger for a guided walk through the Koala Conservation Reserve. The ranger provides a presentation on koalas, the reserve’s history, and the island’s natural woodland. After the koala visit, the tour includes a stop to see parts of Phillip Island’s 10,000-hectare habitat, which supports over a hundred animal species and a population of around 15,000 residents. The coach drives through the main settlements, including Cape Woolamai, New Haven, and Cowes. There is a 30-minute break to walk around Cowes Beach, a coastal town by Westernport Bay with shops and restaurants. Next, the tour reaches the Nobbies Centre for about 45 minutes. Guests can take an optional guided walk on the boardwalks to observe the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The route continues along backroads through the Phillip Island Penguin Habitat, offering coastal cliff views on the way to the penguin parade. The final stop is the Penguin Parade, lasting about two hours at the Visitor Information Centre, where guests watch the penguins coming ashore at sunset. The tour includes live commentary by an expert driver-guide and travel on an air-conditioned coach.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Koala Conservation Reserve
After a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Melbourne, the group meets a Phillip Island Nature Parks Ranger for a guided walk through the Koala Reserve. The ranger presents information about koalas, the reserve’s history, and the island’s last area of natural woodland. The guide assists the ranger and supports the group during the walk. The visit lasts about 45 minutes.
45 min
Phillip Island
Following the Koala Reserve, the coach proceeds to Phillip Island, a 10,000-hectare area home to over a hundred animal species. The island’s population is around 15,000, increasing during tourist seasons. The main settlements on the island include Cape Woolamai, New Haven, and Cowes. This stop lasts approximately 45 minutes.
45 min
Cape Woolamai
Cape Woolamai is one of the three main settlements on Phillip Island, alongside New Haven and Cowes. The population here is about 15,000, with numbers rising in busy tourist periods.
Cowes Beach
The tour stops for around 30 minutes in Cowes, a coastal township on Westernport Bay. Named after Cowes on the Isle of Wight, it offers seaside views, unique shops, and restaurants where guests can buy food.
30 min
The Nobbies Centre
At the Nobbies Rocks, guests have about 45 minutes to take an optional guided walk along boardwalks to observe the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The coach then travels along Phillip Island backroads through the Penguin Habitat, providing views of coastal cliffs en route to the penguin parade.
45 min
Penguin Parade
The main event is the two-hour penguin parade at the Visitor Information Centre. Guests watch the Little Penguins, the smallest penguin species, returning from the sea at sunset. The Penguins Plus viewing platform gives a reserved seat for a clear view of this daily ritual.
120 min
Meeting point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum - 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne. Alternatively, if you wish to change your pickup location please contact our reservations team on +61 39393 1333.
End point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum - 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne. Alternatively, if you wish to change your pickup location please contact our reservations team on +61 39393 1333.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.