Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve Day-Trip from Melbourne
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$360Overview
This day-trip starts with a coach departing from Melbourne city, traveling southeast for about one hour and forty-five minutes to Phillip Island. The first stop is the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, where visitors have 45 minutes to walk along elevated boardwalks among eucalyptus trees to see koalas in their natural environment. Staff provide information about the conservation efforts for these animals. Next, the tour may include a seasonal stop at Cape Woolamai beach, mainly during the summer months, weather permitting. During summer, there is also a 45-minute stop in the coastal township of Cowes, located on Westernport Bay, where visitors can explore shops and buy food. The tour continues to the Nobbies Centre, where guests walk along boardwalks overlooking the rocky coastline and may spot penguins nesting in burrows. From there, the coach travels along Phillip Island backroads, offering views of coastal cliffs on the way to the Penguin Parade. The main event is the two-hour Phillip Island Penguin Parade at sunset, held at Phillip Island Nature Park. Visitors watch the colony of about 32,000 little penguins as they return from the ocean to their burrows. Admission to both the Koala Conservation Reserve and general viewing at Phillip Island Nature Park, including the Penguin Parade, is included. The return trip to Melbourne takes about two hours, with timing depending on penguin activity and daylight hours. The total duration of the tour is approximately nine and a half hours. Travel is by air-conditioned coach with live commentary from an experienced local driver guide. Meals are not included, but there are opportunities to purchase food during stops. Photography and filming are not allowed at the Penguin Parade to avoid disturbing the penguins.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Melbourne
The coach departs from Melbourne City and travels southeast for about 1 hour 45 minutes to Phillip Island, with the first stop at the Koala Conservation Reserve.
120 min
Koala Conservation Reserve
Guests spend 45 minutes walking the elevated boardwalks through eucalyptus trees to see koalas resting in their natural habitat. Staff provide information on conservation efforts protecting these animals.
45 min
Cape Woolamai
Phillip Island's population is around 15,000 and grows during tourist seasons. Cape Woolamai is one of three main settlements on the island. The beach stop here is seasonal, mainly in summer and weather permitting.
Cowes
During summer, the tour includes a 45-minute visit to the coastal township of Cowes alongside Westernport Bay. Visitors can walk through the town, browse unique stores, and find places to buy food. This stop depends on timing and daylight hours.
45 min
The Nobbies Centre
At the Nobbies Rocks, visitors walk along boardwalks to view the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The route then continues along backroads passing the Phillip Island Penguin Habitat with views of coastal cliffs on the way to the Penguin Parade.
45 min
Penguin Parade
The main event is the daily arrival of the Little Penguins, the smallest penguin species, returning to their burrows at sunset. Visitors watch from the viewing area near the Visitor Information Centre for about 2 hours.
120 min
Melbourne
After the Penguin Parade, the coach returns to Melbourne. The return time varies depending on when the penguins arrive and daylight conditions to allow full enjoyment of the parade.
120 min
Meeting point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45am (winter) and 13:45pm (summer).
End point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45am (winter) and 13:45pm (summer).
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve Day-Trip from Melbourne
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$360Overview
This day-trip starts with a coach departing from Melbourne city, traveling southeast for about one hour and forty-five minutes to Phillip Island. The first stop is the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve, where visitors have 45 minutes to walk along elevated boardwalks among eucalyptus trees to see koalas in their natural environment. Staff provide information about the conservation efforts for these animals. Next, the tour may include a seasonal stop at Cape Woolamai beach, mainly during the summer months, weather permitting. During summer, there is also a 45-minute stop in the coastal township of Cowes, located on Westernport Bay, where visitors can explore shops and buy food. The tour continues to the Nobbies Centre, where guests walk along boardwalks overlooking the rocky coastline and may spot penguins nesting in burrows. From there, the coach travels along Phillip Island backroads, offering views of coastal cliffs on the way to the Penguin Parade. The main event is the two-hour Phillip Island Penguin Parade at sunset, held at Phillip Island Nature Park. Visitors watch the colony of about 32,000 little penguins as they return from the ocean to their burrows. Admission to both the Koala Conservation Reserve and general viewing at Phillip Island Nature Park, including the Penguin Parade, is included. The return trip to Melbourne takes about two hours, with timing depending on penguin activity and daylight hours. The total duration of the tour is approximately nine and a half hours. Travel is by air-conditioned coach with live commentary from an experienced local driver guide. Meals are not included, but there are opportunities to purchase food during stops. Photography and filming are not allowed at the Penguin Parade to avoid disturbing the penguins.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Melbourne
The coach departs from Melbourne City and travels southeast for about 1 hour 45 minutes to Phillip Island, with the first stop at the Koala Conservation Reserve.
120 min
Koala Conservation Reserve
Guests spend 45 minutes walking the elevated boardwalks through eucalyptus trees to see koalas resting in their natural habitat. Staff provide information on conservation efforts protecting these animals.
45 min
Cape Woolamai
Phillip Island's population is around 15,000 and grows during tourist seasons. Cape Woolamai is one of three main settlements on the island. The beach stop here is seasonal, mainly in summer and weather permitting.
Cowes
During summer, the tour includes a 45-minute visit to the coastal township of Cowes alongside Westernport Bay. Visitors can walk through the town, browse unique stores, and find places to buy food. This stop depends on timing and daylight hours.
45 min
The Nobbies Centre
At the Nobbies Rocks, visitors walk along boardwalks to view the rocky coastline and spot penguins nesting in burrows. The route then continues along backroads passing the Phillip Island Penguin Habitat with views of coastal cliffs on the way to the Penguin Parade.
45 min
Penguin Parade
The main event is the daily arrival of the Little Penguins, the smallest penguin species, returning to their burrows at sunset. Visitors watch from the viewing area near the Visitor Information Centre for about 2 hours.
120 min
Melbourne
After the Penguin Parade, the coach returns to Melbourne. The return time varies depending on when the penguins arrive and daylight conditions to allow full enjoyment of the parade.
120 min
Meeting point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45am (winter) and 13:45pm (summer).
End point
Our main meeting point for this tour is Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45am (winter) and 13:45pm (summer).
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.