Parks

Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets

Name: Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
Start: 2026-10-16T19:00:00
End: 2026-10-16T21:00:00
Location: Phillip Island

4.4/5(4,385)

Johnson H

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

We had an amazing experience on our half day tour of Phillip Island which included the Penguin Parade. Our guide, Jackie, was incredibly enthusiastic, professional, and so knowledgeable. She shared the history of the island, the significance of the aboriginal experience in the past as well as their contributions in contemporary times. Jackie looked after all of the details and made sure that everyone's needs were taken care of. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone considering a visit to Phillip Island . Many, many thanks to Jackie and her team. Johnson and Clara

Claire G

Family

Verified booking

Last week

Families, be aware, if you book through Headout app, you cannot access the family ticket discount. Book directly through Phillip Island Penguin Parade website and save some $. Penguins were super cute! So many visitors ignored all the instructions given by the guides to protect them - not sure why these people come if not interested in conservation - more interested for the perfect photo for social media. This detracted from the experience a little.

Andrew M

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Sitting on the sand by the wild Bass Strait, wind in our faces, we waited patiently as the sun set. And then magically, in small groups of 6-10 the fairy penguins emerged from the surf and began there long slow waddle up the beach, into the dunes, to the safety of their burrows. A wonderful nature experience at Philip Island, very well managed and highly recommended.

Christine A

Family

Verified booking

5 days ago

We had a wonderful experience at the Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade! 🐧 It was amazing to see the little penguins returning to shore, and it was such a memorable experience for the whole family, especially the kids. Booking through Headout was easy and convenient. Highly recommended for families visiting Phillip Island! ❤️

Liam B

Family

Verified booking

2 days ago

Goodness... the whole experience was incredible. Watching the penguins hit the beach was amazing, the penguin highway was great My 10yo is STILL talking about it the next day, and we did another zoo experience today. That's how good the penguins were. 100% worth it and I'll definitely do it every time I'm in Victoria

Gisele D

Family

Verified booking

Last week

A great experience for the whole family. With a great value for money we could visit 3 different attractions. They were all nature related. Being a homeschool family we value the natural interactions. It was a wonderful experience, easy to access all the attractions and an opportunity for bonding and learning together.

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.

4,385 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.
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Guests from United Kingdom, United States, Canada and over 31 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ka C
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Watching the little penguins come back from the ocean and make their way across the beach was definitely the highlight of our visit. It was such a special and memorable experience for our family, especially for our two girls. The staff were friendly, helpful and professional throughout the visit. I especially appreciated how clearly they reinforced the no-camera policy to help protect the penguins and reduce disturbance. The beautiful weather was also a lovely bonus and made the experience even more enjoyable.
Kerry K
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Although a cold windy night , the little penguins did not disappoint, they were incredibly cute and astonishing that they come in every night to settle on their homes. What was disappointing were the amount of people in complete disregard for what they were told and not use phones after sunset , many many times they told and still I saw so many being used on the beach and boardwalk. I hope the tradition continues and isn't spoilt by those that continue to disregard rules .
Andrew M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Sitting on the sand by the wild Bass Strait, wind in our faces, we waited patiently as the sun set. And then magically, in small groups of 6-10 the fairy penguins emerged from the surf and began there long slow waddle up the beach, into the dunes, to the safety of their burrows. A wonderful nature experience at Philip Island, very well managed and highly recommended.
Gisele D
Family
Verified booking
Last week
A great experience for the whole family. With a great value for money we could visit 3 different attractions. They were all nature related. Being a homeschool family we value the natural interactions. It was a wonderful experience, easy to access all the attractions and an opportunity for bonding and learning together.
Umi H
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
What made my visit with Headout special was how easy and convenient the whole experience was. The booking process was simple, everything went smoothly on the day, and I also received a discount on other tickets, which was a great bonus. It made the whole experience even more enjoyable and worthwhile.

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.

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.