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Combo (Save 6%): Phillip Island Penguin Parade + Dolphin & Whale Cruise Tickets

Koala resting in a tree at Koala Conservation Reserve, Phillip Island.
Visitors seated at Phillip Island Nature Parks viewing area for Penguin Parade.
Whale breaching in ocean during Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Cruise.
Phillip Island dolphin and whale cruise with tourists observing marine life.

Duration

50 min - 3 hr 15 min

Open today

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of your experience

4.2/5

(3,411)

Elizabeth Meadows

Elizabeth

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Arriving early we managed to sneak in a quick boardwalk stroll at Nobbies centre which is absolutely stunning. Our dinner at the penguins parade centre was enjoyable and provided us with enough stamina for the night even a glass of wine. Lining up for the penguins was simple and smooth sailing with a n ie amble along the boardwalk to the viewing area. We brought a blanket to sit in the sand for a prime viewing spot. The penguins are adorable and there is plenty of time to watch them come ashore and then have a lovely stroll under the stars as they make there way to their burrows and observe them in their natural habitat. So important for tourist to follow directions and help fund the conservation of these gorgeous fairy penguins. Highly recommend.
Susan Mary Blenkhorn

Susan

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We booked the Penguin Plus Experience We had brilliant comentary from Stan whilst waiting for the penguins to arrive When the rafts arrived with the penguins we watched as they toddled up the beach - Sometimes running back to the sea as if to get courage to come up. We marvelled as the penguins met their friends after spending up to 3 days fishing in solitude. This was done directly in front of us. Fantastic experience for my sister in law on her first visit to Australia at the age of 83. The Penguins were the only things on her bucket list. Her mother had also visited the penguins on her visit to Australia & that was the highlight of her mothers visit 30 years ago
Umma Habiba

Umma

Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I recently visited the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island and had a truly wonderful experience. Watching the little penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset was magical and felt incredibly special. The viewing areas were well organised, comfortable and designed to protect the penguins’ natural behaviour. Staff were friendly, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about conservation, which added meaning to the visit. The entire site was clean, welcoming and family friendly. It’s a memorable and heartwarming experience I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Victoria. It truly showcases the beauty of wildlife in its purest form and leaves you wanting more.
    • Watch the world-famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island from the general viewing platform.

    • Cruise past Cape Woolamai and spot whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds along the island’s southern coast.

    • Get two signature Phillip Island wildlife experiences in one combo—ideal for nature-loving travelers.

    • Enjoy expert commentary and a relaxed cruise, complete with complimentary tea and snacks.

    • Fun fact: Phillip Island is home to Australia’s largest Little Penguin colony and a key point on the whale migration route.

  • Phillip Island Penguin Parade

    • Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park

    • Access to the boardwalk and the visitor center

    • Access to the general viewing platform

    Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise

    • 3-hour Phillip Island southern coast cruise

    • Expert commentary

    • Whale & dolphin spotting

    • Regular seals & sea bird sightings

    • Tea, coffee, cake, and biscuits in the afternoon

    • Access to a licensed bar

  • Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise

    • Other food and beverages (available to purchase onboard)
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.2
    3,411 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    2.1K
    568
    219
    158
    273
    Guests from United Kingdom, Canada, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Ashwin Patil

    Ashwin

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    It was an amazing experience and I've never seen anything like this before! It was truly so incredible seeing all the penguins come back to land together!
    Jacqui Daley

    Jacqui

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    3/5
    Parking was difficult and not adequate. There was no traffic control and additional parking was opened up too late. We drove around for 15 minutes in circles as there were no empty car parks. There needs to be traffic controllers in future to direct people where they can park. This was very frustrating and needs to be rectified due to the number of people attending this event. Would also be good idea to let people know they should bring binoculars to see penguins on beach as phones are not allowed to be used to zoom in.
    Trish Bourke

    Trish

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    3/5
    So many people! Unable to see much as the penguins left the ocean as so many people and it was dark before they came in. Saw penguins once we left the beach and once majority of people left the venue. We were some of the last people to leave and that final time when we could get fence positions on the boardwalk was great. Wouldn't go again, but appreciate the work you do.
    Jill Thomas

    Jill

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Had a great visit to see the Penguin Parade, despite the cold, wet weather. Book in advance else you may not get it. We did and were lucky as the two nights we were in the area were both fully booked. Wrap up well...it was cold! Take something to sit on as benches were cold and wet when we went. Dec 2025 from England, UK
    Riya Giri

    Riya

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    3/5
    The experience was affected by very windy weather. We had to wait for one and half hours and eventually leave without seeing the penguin parade. We only got to see one or two baby penguins. The wind was too strong to tolerate especially for my 15 month old baby. However the staff we very good and helpful.

**Your Experience (Summary)**Make the most of Phillip Island’s coastal wildlife with this two-in-one adventure—land and sea.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Getting started

Arrive at Phillip Island Nature Parks and show your combo voucher at the ticket desk. Entry includes access to the visitor center and general viewing platform.

What to expect

Watch as hundreds of Little Penguins return ashore after sunset, waddling across the beach to their burrows.

Features

  • Little penguin colony: Watch over 1,000 little penguins waddle ashore, a unique wildlife spectacle that supports vital conservation efforts.

  • Boardwalk views: Enjoy panoramic views from the general viewing area and explore the boardwalks that wind through the dunes.

  • Other wildlife: Keep an eye out for wallabies, Cape Barren geese, and eastern bandicoots in their natural habitat as you explore the park.

Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise

Getting started

Head to the designated cruise departure point and present your ticket at check-in. Boarding instructions will be provided on-site.

What to expect

Cruise along Phillip Island’s rugged southern coastline in search of migrating whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds.

Features

  • Whale and dolphin sightings: Spot humpback and southern right whales, plus dolphins often racing alongside the boat—prime opportunities for wildlife photography.

  • Cape Woolamai cliffs: Cruise past these striking rock formations, home to thriving seabird colonies and panoramic ocean views.

  • Onboard experience: Enjoy afternoon tea as you watch for breaching whales and playful dolphins, with expert guides sharing insights throughout.

  • Churchill Island

    Monday10:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Tuesday10:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Wednesday10:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Thursday10:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Friday10:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm
    Sunday09:00am - 04:30pmlast entry 04:00pm

    Phillip Island Penguin Parade

    Monday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Tuesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Wednesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Thursday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Friday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Saturday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Sunday05:00pm - 09:00pm

    Koala Conservation Reserve

    Monday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Tuesday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Wednesday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Thursday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Friday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Saturday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Sunday10:00am - 05:30pmlast entry 05:00pm

    Penguin Parade

    Monday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Tuesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Wednesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Thursday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Friday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Saturday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Sunday05:00pm - 09:00pm
  • What to bring

    Penguin Parade

    • You can pack a raincoat or umbrella if rain is predicted.

    Dolphin & Whale Cruise

    • Wear layered clothing and bring a windbreaker. Don’t forget to pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and motion sickness medication, if needed.

    What’s not allowed

    Penguin Parade

    • Photographs and video recordings are not permitted during penguin arrival due to the light sensitivity of the birds.

    • Big bags are not permitted. Only small carry-on bags are allowed inside.

    Dolphin & Whale Cruise

    • Outside food or drinks, and smoking are not allowed onboard.

    Accessibility

    Penguin Parade

    • All parks are accessible by wheelchair.

    Dolphin & Whale Cruise

    • Vessel boarding may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Please check in advance for support requirements.

    Additional information

    Penguin Parade

    • Penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov). Arrive at least 1 hour beforehand to secure your seat and enjoy the visitor center before the parade begins.

    • Daily business hours may change; please check the official website of each attraction before departure.

    • Click here to see the estimated penguin arrival times throughout the year.

    • If you are planning a visit from mid-December to late January, or during a long weekend or the school holiday period, please allow extra travel time as the traffic can get busy.

    Dolphin & Whale Cruise

    • Cruise departures are weather-dependent and require minimum passenger numbers. You’ll be notified of any changes in advance, with refund or transfer options available.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

      • Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

    Ticket redemption points

    Penguin Parade Visitor Centre

    • Redeem your ticket at Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.

    • Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia.

    Get directions to the redemption point

    Wildlife Coast Cruises Tour Agency

    • Show your ticket at Wildlife Coast Cruises Tour Agency.

    • Address: 170 Marine Parade, San Remo VIC 3925, Australia.

    Get directions to the redemption point

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