Parks

Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets

Name: Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
Start: 2026-01-15T20:00:00
End: 2026-01-15T22:00:00
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.

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Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

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

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

4.3/5

(3,450)

Sheila

Nov 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Everything was easy to find and navigate. Will be nice when the visitor center is back open. I would recommend more multi-lingual instructions. Not sure what will help your situation with a certain demographic. This demographic was rude in line, in the center, and at the bleacher area. Every time the staff had to remind the crowd of the rules, which was continuous, was the same people. I was left with a bad feeling about the entire event based on their eith mis-understanding of the rules or blatent disregard for the obvious requests. It is unfortunate that your event gets the black eye for these people but the overall experience was affected by these people.. I heard others grumbling the same.. We loved your presentation and the staff was very informative and patient.

Maureen

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

This experience was amazing and a must see for everyone who loves wildlife in general, and who cares about our environment. Watching the adorable little fairy penguins waddle up the beach, and through the native vegetation was incredible. They are so tiny and on the cuteness level, it's nothing short of overload. I do have one complaint and it's nothing to do with the organisation and running of the nightly parade. It's about the people attending - seriously how many times do you have to be told that no photos are allowed - and that means by mobile phones too. The penguins are shy and nervous and this is explained multiple times but some people think they are special and rules don't apply to them. Please don't be THAT person. Definitely a MUST SEE!!

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.

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.

Opt for the general viewing ticket to get close to the little waddlers or choose penguin plus – a ticket for tiered seating.

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

Enhance your experience with an exclusive ranger-led tour through the penguin colony with an underground viewing upgrade for an exclusive up-close interaction.

You can also choose the Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass, offering koala encounters at the Conservation Centre and farm experiences on Churchill Island.

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 Plus (if option selected)

Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform

Closest penguin pathway viewing

Limited-capacity beachfront stand

Underground Viewing (if option selected)

Access to underground viewing platform

Eye-level penguin encounters

Weatherproof indoor platform

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.

4.3
3,450 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, Germany, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
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.
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
Suman
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The highlight is the Penguin itself. Other than that we can enjoy the ocean, beach and the nature itself. It's beautiful to see the relation between human and nature itself at the Conservation Areas of Philip Island and Penguin Parade. Other than that the island serve multicultural and ethical background of Australia
Linda
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The set up is fantastic. The staff very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. The penguins are adorable. The facilities excellent. The food in the restaurant was delicious. All in all, a wonderful experience.
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!

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 Plus: Enjoy exclusive access to the Penguins Plus platform, designed with ranger insights and conservation in mind. Located in a prime beachfront position with limited capacity, it offers the closest viewing point to the penguins’ main highway and a more intimate, unobstructed experience.

Underground Viewing: Step into a specially designed underground bunker with eye-level outlooks. Stay warm and dry in this weatherproof area while observing penguins pass by just inches from the glass – perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

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 - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Wednesday	10:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Thursday	10:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Friday	10:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Saturday	09:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm
Sunday	09:00am - 04:30pm	last entry 04:00pm

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Monday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Tuesday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Wednesday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Thursday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Friday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Saturday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Sunday	05:00pm - 09:00pm

Koala Conservation Reserve

Monday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Wednesday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	10:00am - 05:30pm	last entry 05:00pm

Penguin Parade

Monday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Tuesday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Wednesday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Thursday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Friday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Saturday	05:00pm - 09:00pm
Sunday	05:00pm - 09:00pm

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.