Day Trips

From Melbourne: Half/Full-Day Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade

Name: From Melbourne: Half/Full-Day Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade
Start: 2025-12-21T14:45:00
End: 2025-12-21T14:45:00
Location: Melbourne

Penguins walking along Summerland Beach during the Penguin Parade.

Blowholes and rock formations along Phillip Island's coastline.

Koala eating eucalyptus leaves at Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve.

Visitors observing a koala at a conservation reserve.

Duration

10 hr

Open today

Free cancellation

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

Book now, pay later

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

Guided tour

Transfers included

4.8/5

(54)

Ashok

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

I had an amazing experience at Phillip Island, and a big part of that was thanks to Peter, our guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole trip feel relaxed and enjoyable. Peter shared great insights about the area, wildlife, and local history, which made every stop more meaningful. The island itself was stunning — from the beautiful coastal views to the unforgettable Penguin Parade. Overall, it was a perfectly organised tour, and Peter’s enthusiasm and professionalism truly elevated the experience. Highly recommend both Phillip Island and Peter as a guide!

Romina

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Thanks Mike! We enjoyed our tour to Phillip Island and found the trip very well organised and very informative. You made sure everything was taken care of. The Penguin Parade was certainly an experience to remember and if you can, buy Penguin Plus tickets and make sure to be seated down at the beach as soon as the gates open for best vantage points. All in all a fabulous tour, thank you.

Rahul

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Well structured half-day trip with a great guide. Rob was friendly and well-informed guide who was also meticulate about the schedule! We had a great time and would highly recommend the half-day trip to anybody who just wants to go to Phillip Island, see the penguin parade and get back to Melbourne CBD.

Explore Phillip Island on a full-day or half-day guided tour from Melbourne, with round-trip coach transfers included for your convenience.

Enjoy live commentary from an English-speaking guide, with an audio translation app available in 10 languages for multilingual support.

Visit picturesque coastal highlights including the Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout for dramatic ocean views and the chance to spot marine wildlife.

Experience the world-famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park, with access to the boardwalks, visitor center, and general viewing platform.

Choose the Penguins Plus upgrade for an exclusive viewing platform located along the penguins’ main pathway, offering an intimate and limited-capacity experience.

Customize your tour with flexible durations and optional upgrades for a personalized encounter with Phillip Island’s unique wildlife and landscapes.

Full or half-day tour to Phillip Island (based on option selected)

Round-trip transfers from Melbourne

English-speaking guide

Entry to Phillip Island National Parks, Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout

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

Food and beverages (available to purchase onsite)

Headphones

TOTAL DURATION10 hours
Timeline
Map
Start point
Melbourne
Get direction
1 hr 45 min
1. Koala Conservation Reserve
60 min
15 min
2. Phillip Island
30 min
3 attractions
Things to do
Cape Woolamai
Newhaven
Cowes
3. Philip Island Nature Park
45 min
10 min
4. Nobbies Centre
40 min
10 min
5. Penguin Parade
90 min
2 hr
End point
Melbourne
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.8
54 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.
43
10
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Guests from New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Rahul
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Well structured half-day trip with a great guide. Rob was friendly and well-informed guide who was also meticulate about the schedule! We had a great time and would highly recommend the half-day trip to anybody who just wants to go to Phillip Island, see the penguin parade and get back to Melbourne CBD.
Tiara
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Wonderful time with Angel Sophia as our guide. She brought energy and information. Special to watch the penguins, even in not so ideal conditions! Worth every penny!
Ashok
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I had an amazing experience at Phillip Island, and a big part of that was thanks to Peter, our guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole trip feel relaxed and enjoyable. Peter shared great insights about the area, wildlife, and local history, which made every stop more meaningful. The island itself was stunning — from the beautiful coastal views to the unforgettable Penguin Parade. Overall, it was a perfectly organised tour, and Peter’s enthusiasm and professionalism truly elevated the experience. Highly recommend both Phillip Island and Peter as a guide!
Romina
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Thanks Mike! We enjoyed our tour to Phillip Island and found the trip very well organised and very informative. You made sure everything was taken care of. The Penguin Parade was certainly an experience to remember and if you can, buy Penguin Plus tickets and make sure to be seated down at the beach as soon as the gates open for best vantage points. All in all a fabulous tour, thank you.
Wong
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The tour is great as it's only half day, bus the cozy with around 12 ppls at our trip. Try to get a plus ticket for the up close of the tiny Penguins and get the seats earlier. The guide is amazing, very friendly and allow us have just the right amount of time to stop for spots before we head in to the Centre. Try to bring your own dinner as the time is not so much for sit down food.

Discover the best of Phillip Island on a guided coastal and wildlife tour

Explore the natural beauty and wildlife of Phillip Island on a full-day or half-day guided tour from Melbourne, with round-trip transfers included for a hassle-free experience.

Enjoy guided commentary in multiple languages

Learn more about the region with live narration from your English-speaking guide, and use the included audio translation app available in 10 languages for multilingual convenience.

Take in stunning coastal highlights

Visit the Nobbies blowhole and Seal Rocks lookout for breathtaking ocean views. Stroll along cliffside boardwalks and enjoy the chance to spot marine life like fur seals and seabirds.

Witness the famous Penguin Parade at sunset

Experience the wonder of the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park. With general viewing platform access, boardwalks, and the visitor centre, you’ll watch little penguins emerge from the sea and return to their burrows after a day of fishing.

Upgrade to Penguins Plus for a premium experience

Enhance your visit with the Penguins Plus upgrade, offering access to a secluded, limited-capacity viewing platform located along the penguins’ most active pathway for an intimate and memorable view of their journey.

Customize your tour to fit your schedule

Choose from flexible half-day or full-day options and tailor your experience with optional upgrades, making this the perfect way to explore Phillip Island’s wildlife, scenery, and natural charm.

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

What to bring

Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.

Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Bring along your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, all-weather warm clothing for the evening, and a jumper or windproof jacket.

What's not allowed

This experience is not pram/stroller or wheelchair accessible.

No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin.

Suitcases and large bags are not allowed.

Additional information

A minimal level of physical fitness is necessary to complete this tour.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

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

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Immigration Museum (corner of Market street and Flinders street).

Address: 400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.

Get directions to the meeting point