Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon Tour from Melbourne
🏎 Why We Picked This
Culture experiences like this one are ideal for free mornings before Friday practice or the quiet Sunday morning before the race — you get depth without eating into race day.
📅 Popular during Grand Prix week
Choose your option
Penguin Parade half-day Tour
$110 per person
Puffing Billy & Penguin Parade Combo
$173 per person
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon Tour from Melbourne
From $110 per person
About this experience
Slip away from Melbourne in the afternoon and head toward Phillip Island as the light softens and the coastline comes alive. Travelling with Go West Tours — proudly backed by over 16,000 5-star reviews — this relaxed small-group experience is designed for travellers short on time but rich in curiosity, unfolding at a gentle pace with locals who know the stories, rhythms, and hidden moments that make this place special. Your afternoon begins along Phillip Island’s rugged southern coast at the Nobbies. Wander the boardwalks as sea air drifts in from the Southern Ocean, watching waves roll in and scanning the rocks below where fur seals rest offshore. It’s a moment to slow down, breathe deeply, and take in the raw beauty of Victoria’s coastline. As evening approaches, anticipation builds. You’ll arrive at the Penguin Parade just as the sun begins to dip, settling in for one of Australia’s most heart-warming wildlife encounters. In the fading light, little penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle across the beach toward their burrows — a quiet, unforgettable ritual that never fails to move those who witness it. After the parade, relax as you’re comfortably returned to your original meeting point, carrying with you the memory of a moment that feels both intimate and extraordinary. ⭐ Travel with confidence. Go West Tours is Melbourne’s most reviewed tour operator, trusted for thoughtful itineraries, exceptional guides, and a deluxe, comfortable touring experience.
Highlights
- ✓Travel in a relaxed small group for a calm, personal experience
- ✓Watch little penguins return from the sea at sunset
- ✓Walk the Nobbies boardwalk with sweeping coastal views
- ✓Learn from passionate local guides who bring the journey to life
- ✓Enjoy multilingual audio commentary in 16 languages
What's included
- ✓Central Melbourne pickup near the Immigration Museum
- ✓Award-winning local guides who feel like travel companions
- ✓Multilingual audio commentary available in 16 languages
- ✓Travel in comfort aboard a modern minibus with upgraded seating
- ✓Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi throughout the journey
- ✓Phillip Island Penguin Parade standard viewing included
- ✓One-way Puffing Billy Steam Train ride (combo option only)
- ✓Backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Not included
- ✕Food and drinks (you may bring your own or purchase on the day)
- ✕Tips (optional)
Good to know
Your pickup time may differ from the stated time on your voucher. The activity provider will contact you directly via email shortly after booking with your actual pickup time. All our tours are conducted in English however, you can access pre-recorded written & verbal tour information in 16 different languages by downloading the free Go West Tours App from the App Store or Google Play. You can download the app before departure or use our complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. Please bring your own headphones. Tour takes place rain or shine. Return time for the Phillip Island Afternoon Tour: 21:00 to 24:00 (depending on the season) If this package option is chosen - Puffing Billy + Penguin Combo Package: When booking this option, you'll do both tours on the same day: Puffing Billy in the morning and Penguin Parade in the afternoon, with a lunch break in Melbourne City in between. Flash photography is not permitted at the Penguin Parade due to animal welfare concerns.
Getting there
Please wait at the corner of Flinders & Market Streets, next to the Immigration Museum. **Please do not wait at the front entry of the Museum**. Your guide will park the bus on the Market St side of the Immigration museum and come to meet you in person. Pickup is at 1:45 PM if travelling during non-daylight savings time, AEST. Pickup is at 2:45 PM if travelling during daylight savings time, AEDT.
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“Sophia our guide made the trip! Super friendly, informative and excellent music choice for the travel to and from Melbourne. It was busy and crowded when viewing the penguins but that was to be expected. A great tour and would recommend”
“I loved this trip. Robert was super helpful, informative and considerate of every member of the group’s requirements. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip and a huge thank you to Robert.”
“The guiders were so friendly, supportive, kind and time for all of the day ( Lucy & Alisha). The experience was amazing and it was great to have them!”
48 reviews on GetYourGuide
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Our driver, Cloe, was an excellent driver and tour guide. I felt totally safe. The ride was very comfortable. Cloe gave great information and instructions. Perhaps we had unrealistic expectations based on the marketing materials, but we saw only a few groups of penguins ( numbering maybe 10 in each group). We expected hundreds. Once we walked over to the penguin highway to see them waddle up the path to their burrows, they were very cute. But still. We saw maybe 35 penguins the whole night. It was very disappointing. We
The guiders were so friendly, supportive, kind and time for all of the day ( Lucy & Alisha). The experience was amazing and it was great to have them!
I loved this trip. Robert was super helpful, informative and considerate of every member of the group’s requirements. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip and a huge thank you to Robert.
Sophia our guide made the trip! Super friendly, informative and excellent music choice for the travel to and from Melbourne. It was busy and crowded when viewing the penguins but that was to be expected. A great tour and would recommend