Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Witness the world’s smallest penguins as they waddle ashore at sunset on Phillip Island. Choose from a variety of experiences, from guided tours to VIP viewing platforms, and enjoy the natural beauty of this Australian wildlife sanctuary.
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Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
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Pro tips to help you make a pick
Children between the ages of 4 and 15 years can get discounted tickets to the Penguin Parade; infants aged 3 years and below can enter for free. Make sure to select a ticket for the exact number of people (including children) who will be attending the parade so seats are reserved accordingly.
Choose between three ticket options for your Penguin Parade visit: Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets, Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass, and the Half-Day or Full-Day Phillip Island Guided Tour from Melbourne. Each ticket type will give you general viewing access by default, but feel free to upgrade your viewing option depending on your preference.
The general viewing option is your default option and will give you direct views of the penguins emerging from the sea and beginning their waddle to the caves. Fair warning: this section does not have the best lighting and can get crowded during peak season.
The underground viewing option offers an eye-level view of the penguins as they march toward their burrows on the famous Penguin Highway’. This is a covered viewing spot with a lower pax limit, making it great for the winter months when the nights are colder. You also get detailed audio commentary in this section.
Penguins Plus viewing is an open-air viewing platform located right at the juncture between the beach and the cove where the penguins have their burrows. You get 360-degree views of the parade, excellent lighting, and close-up views of the penguins as they make their way home. This is a wonderful option for people who can splurge on seats.
Go for the standard Penguin Parade tickets if you have a limited budget and are coming to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins. Although, you will need to arrange transportation to and from the island.
The 3 Parks Pass is great for folks who want to explore Phillip Island entirely. Apart from the great value, you can visit the Koala Conservation, Churchill Island, and the Penguin Parade all in one day or space it out at your convenience. You will need to arrange for transportation, as return transfers are not included in your ticket.
Take a guided tour from Melbourne if you want the luxury of a guided tour of Phillip Island, return transfers to the city, and an AC coach. These tickets are great for folks traveling in a group or with kids.
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About Penguin Parade
Watch the world’s tiniest penguins return to their burrows each evening in an enchanting spectacle you won’t want to miss! Check out all your viewing options at the Penguin Parade and pick the best option.
Little Penguins are the smallest penguins in the world, standing at an average height of 45cm and weighing an average of 1.2kg. For reference, an Emperor Penguin has an average height of 110cm and weighs up to 30kg!
These penguins believe in gender equality for all. You’ll see both male and female penguins caring for the chicks, guarding their burrows, and going to sea for food.
These penguins spend a large percentage of their lives at sea. They can dive up to 60 meters underwater to catch fish! Within the first year of hatching, these penguins can cover a distance of 1,000km in the sea.
Why visit Penguin Parade?
The largest Little Penguin colony in the world
The only reason you really need to visit the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is that Summerland Beach is home to one of the world's largest colonies of Little Penguins. These are the smallest penguins in the world, with icy-blue feathers that make for an adorable viewing experience overall.
The penguins’ permanent home
The fascinating thing about these Little Penguins is that, unlike most birds following a migratory pattern throughout the year, they have claimed Phillip Island as their permanent home. So whenever you decide to visit, you’ll always find penguins there.
Good for the environment
The Phillip Island Nature Parks, which is responsible for the Penguin Parade, is a non-profit, which means every ticket you purchase will help them continue with their ecotourism and conservation efforts.
Highlights
Little Penguins at Summerland Beach
Every evening, just around sunset, thousands of penguins swim up to the Summerland Beach and make their way to their burrows. If you’re lucky, you may even see them stand around and socialize near the rocks by the beach before they begin their commute.
Penguin Highway
This stretch is just off the beach, turning into the cove where all the burrows are. It is called the Penguin Highway because all the birds flock together in a file as they walk through this area before they divert into the lanes that lead them home.
Visitor Center
The Penguin Parade visitor center is a place that you must definitely explore before you head down to the beach. You will find plenty of interesting exhibits that showcase the lives, habitats, and behavior of Little Penguins, as well as real-time data on the number of penguins that visited the beach the day before.
Plan your visit
While the visitor center at the Penguin Parade is open from 4pm, the actual parade does not have a fixed timing through the year. May to July is when the penguins arrive the earliest at around 5:15pm - 5:45pm. During the summer months they can arrive as late as 9pm, owing to the longer days.
Even so, arriving at least 1 hour early is always a good idea, since there is a lot to explore at the visitor center. Not to mention, you get better seats!
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