Parks

Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets

Name: Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
Start: 2026-03-13T14:45:00
End: 2026-03-13T14:45:00
Location: Phillip Island

Koala resting in a tree at Koala Conservation Reserve, Phillip Island.

Visitors seated at Phillip Island Nature Parks viewing area for Penguin Parade.

Child observing penguins at Phillip Island Nature Parks.

Wooden boardwalk on Churchill Island with visitors exploring coastal landscape.

Open today

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 7 days before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

4.3/5

(3,758)

Lindy

Feb 2026

Verified booking

The 3 Parks pass was great. Easy to use and convenient. The presenters at the penguin parade were excellent and informative. The penguin parade itself was made quiet stressful due to the amount of people using their phones to take pictures, even though they were told of the harm it caused the penguins and the organisers supplying quallity pictures to download. This needs to be better policed or even better, a total ban on bringing mobile phones to the event. It is a true shame that these selfish actions took away from the beauty of the night.

Elizabeth

Feb 2026

Verified booking

From start to finish ,enjoyed every moment, welcome from staff on arrival 😀, plenty of souvenirs to choose from 🤩 Lots of information for people to obtain from volunteers inside before entering the walkway to the beach 🙋‍♂️ And of course the information from Staff once we sat in our positions to wait for the Penguin 🐧 Parade to start ,what beautiful creatures they are . Totally memorable the whole experience! Very affordable for everyone we paid $33 wonderful night 🌙 ✨️

Thomas

Mar 2026

Verified booking

The event itself was great. The host and organisers obviously take their work seriously and care about the wildlife and all money from tickets goes to preservation and research efforts. However, there are too many people and many guests are taking photos and videos even after they've been explicitly asked not to multiple times. It all just seems a little bit too much activity for the penguins when they are just trying to get home. I think limiting the amount of people would be a good idea.

Catch sight of little penguins returning home at dusk in the world-famous Penguin Parade. The parade is particularly great for educating children on wildlife and nature awareness.

Admire the penguins on the new Penguins Premium viewing platform that's directly inspired by the magnificent coves of the island's southern coast.

You have the option to upgrade to the 3 Parks Pass for Penguin Parade, Koalas, and Churchill Island Heritage Farm, or take the Penguins Express Afternoon Day Tour from Melbourne.

Fun fact: Phillip Island is home to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia.

Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park

Access to boardwalk and visitor center

Access to general viewing platform

Penguins Express Afternoon Day Tour from Melbourne (if option selected)

3 Parks Pass (if option selected)

Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve (visit anytime within 6 months of purchase)

Entry to Churchill Island (visit anytime within 6 months of purchase)

You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

3,758 reviews
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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.
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What our guests say
Thomas
Mar 2026
Verified booking
The event itself was great. The host and organisers obviously take their work seriously and care about the wildlife and all money from tickets goes to preservation and research efforts. However, there are too many people and many guests are taking photos and videos even after they've been explicitly asked not to multiple times. It all just seems a little bit too much activity for the penguins when they are just trying to get home. I think limiting the amount of people would be a good idea.
Rohit
Mar 2026
Verified booking
We wanted to show our kids penguins and koalas to make the trip memorable and this happen as we bought a 3 parks pass through Headout Booked a day for penguin parade and rest of places very happy even there was no network and efficient staff was very helpful to find out booking it was a good trip overall as well Many thanks to headiut
Geertruida
Mar 2026
Verified booking
It was easy to use, but had little or no information to excess the tickets till we got to Churchill Island where the lady at the counter helped us. Also buying the 3 park pass was not easy either, with little information on how to excess our tickets.
Lynn
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Chris H was a fantastic driver/guide, he knew so many interesting facts and was a lot of fun too. He gave us tips on the best place to sit to see the penguins and it worked a treat. Overall just a fab day out, would highly recommend to anyone.
Guy
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Booking was straightforward and uncomplicated. Minor glitch with the ticket bar codes not coming through on the original email. Quickly and properly addressed by the help selection. Refreshing., now trusted. Will use again.

Experience the magic of the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island

Witness one of Australia’s most beloved wildlife experiences with entry to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Parks. Every evening at sunset, watch as hundreds of little penguins emerge from the ocean and make their charming waddle home along the beach. With access to both the boardwalks and visitor centre, you’ll enjoy informative exhibits, spectacular coastal views, and up-close encounters with nature.

What to expect

Your visit includes entry to the Penguin Parade, access to the general viewing platform, and the elevated boardwalks that wind along the penguins’ path. This popular vantage point offers sweeping views of Summerlands Beach and the penguins’ nightly journey as they return from a day at sea.

Upgrade your experience

Choose from two premium viewing options for an even more memorable encounter:

Penguins Express Afternoon Day Tour: Enjoy a seamless full-day trip from Melbourne, including return transfers and priority entry to the Penguin Parade. Relax on a guided journey with time to explore the coast and soak up the natural scenery along the way.

3 Parks Pass: Enhance your visit by selecting the 3 Parks Pass, which includes entry to two additional nature attractions:

Koala Conservation Reserve: Wander tree-top boardwalks through eucalypt woodlands and spot koalas in their natural habitat.

Churchill Island: Discover heritage gardens, historical farming displays, and scenic walking trails on one of Victoria’s oldest European settlements.

Whether you stick to the classic Penguin Parade or opt for immersive upgrades, this is an unforgettable wildlife experience suitable for all ages and interests.

Churchill Island

Monday	10:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Wednesday	10:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Thursday	10:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Friday	10:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Saturday	9:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm
Sunday	9:00am - 4:30pm	last entry 4:00pm

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Monday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday	5:00pm - 9:00pm

Koala Conservation Reserve

Monday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Wednesday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Thursday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Friday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Saturday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm
Sunday	10:00am - 5:30pm	last entry 5:00pm

Penguin Parade

Monday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday	5:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday	5:00pm - 9:00pm

What to bring

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

What's not allowed

Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home, because the artificial light sources will stimulate the eyes of the penguins. The island implements light control at this time.

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

Accessibility

All parks are accessible by wheelchair.

Additional information

Penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30pm to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7pm to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15pm to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30pm 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.

Pensioner tickets: Pensioner discounts for the Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade are only available directly through the park, either by phone or at the counter on the day. Contact details are listed on their official site.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please arrive at the redemption point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Ticket redemption point

Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.