Guide · Victoria ·
Phillip Island penguin parade: tickets and timing
Phillip Island penguin parade starts at sunset, when little penguins come out of the sea and waddle up the beach to their burrows. It is held every night of the year at Summerlands, on Phillip Island, about 90 minutes by road from Melbourne. Plan to arrive one hour early, book ahead in summer, and bring warm clothes.
This guide covers the ticket types and prices, the timing, the drive, what to wear and the rules on the beach.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Penguin Parade, Opening times and FAQ pages.
How the parade works
The little penguins spend the day fishing at sea. At dusk they come ashore in small groups and cross the sand to the dunes. You watch from tiered seating on the beach, or from boardwalks, as they pass close by. Phillip Island Nature Parks says the colony is one of the largest of its kind in Australia, and that the first parade for visitors took place in the 1920s.
The parade is run by Phillip Island Nature Parks, a not-for-profit group. It says all revenue from ticket sales goes back into conservation, research, education and wildlife rescue.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Penguin Parade, Our story and FAQ pages.
Tickets and prices
There are several ways to watch. These adult prices were listed on the official ticket page in January 2014. Check the page before you go, because prices can change.
| Ticket | What you get | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| General Viewing | Beachfront stands with tiered seating, and boardwalks where penguins pass your feet | $23.80 |
| Penguins Plus | A viewing area next to the main path of penguins, limited to 190 people, with a free drink | From $46 |
| 3 Parks Pass | The Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm | $40.40 |
| Guided Ranger Tour | Reserved front row seats on the sand with a ranger, ages 12 and over | From $74 |
| Ultimate Adventure Tour | A group of 10 with a ranger, on a quiet beach away from the main parade, ages 16 and over | From $84.20 |
Child tickets cover ages 4 to 15. Children under 4 are free. For most visitors, General Viewing is the simple choice. If you want to be closer to the path, Penguins Plus is the next step up.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Buy tickets page and FAQ page, as listed on 25 January 2014.
Timing and booking
The penguins come ashore at sunset, so the time changes through the year. In summer it is late in the evening. In winter it is much earlier. The park publishes a penguin arrival calendar, so look up your date before you travel.
The park suggests you arrive one hour before the penguins. That gives you time to look at the displays in the visitor centre, eat at the Boardwalk Cafe and find your seat on the beach. The visitor centre opens at 10am each day, so you can also visit earlier and see the displays.
- Book ahead in busy times. In December, January, Easter and long weekends, the park says it is essential to pre-book General Viewing.
- Book all year for some tickets. Ranger guided tours and Penguins Plus need a booking at any time.
- Print your ticket. If you cannot, tell the ticket staff your last name and that you booked online.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Opening times page and FAQ page.
Getting there
The Penguin Parade is at 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands. The drive from Melbourne is about 90 minutes, and the last 20 minutes or so is from the bridge onto Phillip Island. A car is the easiest way, because public transport does not run between the park's sites.
The V/Line bus from Melbourne to Phillip Island does not run after the parade. It also goes direct and does not stop at the Nature Parks sites. If you have no car, the park suggests a coach tour. The Melbourne Visitor Information Centre at Federation Square can help with bookings.
The same group runs other sites close by. The Nobbies Centre is about five minutes from the parade and is free. The Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm open at 10am daily, so you can fill a day before the evening parade.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Getting there page, FAQ page and home page.
What to wear and bring
The parade is outdoors at dusk, so the beach can feel cold even after a warm day. The park suggests warm clothes, and a rain coat if rain looks likely. A rug to sit on the seats is also handy. You can see the penguins in any weather.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, FAQ page.
Rules on the beach
No photos are allowed at the parade. Cameras, camcorders and camera phones cannot be used. Penguins have sensitive eyes, and a sudden flash or an odd light can frighten or confuse them. The ban helps keep the penguins coming back to the beach. Leave the camera in the car, and watch instead.
The parade has a viewing area for wheelchair users next to a path of penguins. A golf buggy service runs to the beach, and the park lends a free wheelchair on request.
Sources for this section: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Penguin Parade page and FAQ page.
Sources
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, Penguin Parade (as archived 25 January 2014): penguins.org.au
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, FAQ: penguins.org.au
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, Opening times: penguins.org.au
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, Getting there: penguins.org.au
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, Buy tickets: penguins.org.au
- Phillip Island Nature Parks, Our story: penguins.org.au