One of the most magical and memorable experiences, when visiting Melbourne, is to head down to Phillip Island at sunset and watch thousands of penguins parade out of the water. Witnessing their adorable wobble and waddle as they return home after a successful fishing expedition is an unforgettable and joyous sight and one not to be missed.
How to get to the Penguin Parade?
The Penguin parade is found on the west side of Phillip Island, about 2 hours south of Melbourne, on Summerland Beach. By far the simplest and easiest way to get there is to drive. There is a huge public car park at the Parade which will be packed so get there early. Public transport is tricky and limited so if you really can’t drive then there are organised tours.
Driving also means you can make a few vineyard pit stops on way. Don’t miss Gurdies for a relaxed sparkling red or PT Leo estate for a fancy lunch or just sculptures by the sea with some champers!
How long should I allow at the parade?
I would recommend allowing 3 hours for the parade to fully immerse yourself in the experience. It’s advised to arrive one hour before sunset to secure a good spot (and use the bathroom!) as the wait can be lengthy. Our sunset was at 20:30, so we arrived at 19:30, found our seats by 20:00, but didn’t see the penguins until 20:50. Sunset times will obviously vary so the times the penguins appear will also vary! If you go in the summer, as I did, do eat before you go as it will be late by the time you leave.
What happens at the Penguin Parade?
I naively thought we were going to sit on a public beach to watch the adorable little furry feathered creatures appear, perhaps with other spectators nearby. Maybe back in the 1940’s and 50s but not now. By the 1980s, housing developments, traffic and many other factors were threatening the penguins with nine out of the ten penguin colonies wiped out. Consequently, a conservation site with a controlled and viewing area and platform was established. This is a fully organised event that happens every night, regardless of the weather and is usually sold out!
When you arrive you will walk through the Information centre. There is a café (which is closed after the event) and a gift a shop to explore before or after the parade. Warning: if you go to the shop after, you will absolutely be going home with an over priced stuffed penguin toy – you will be in love! You can also adopt one and support the amazing work the foundation are doing.
When ready, you will head through to the back of the centre to a wooden walk way and wander a while until you reach the beach. This is for ‘general viewing tickets’, which is what I did. You can upgrade to the ‘Penguin Plus’. Here you the penguins will be a bit closer and you will be in a separate area. There is also ‘underground viewing’ which my claustrophobia didn’t fancy! For more on the type of tickets and accessibility click here and absolutely prebook or you could be very disappointed.
Upon arrival at the beach, you’ll discover tiered bench-style seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. A ranger will then provide an explanation of the proceedings and outline rules, such as the requirement to remain seated, unless departing and no photos after sunset. (More on this later) This meant it doesn’t matter as much where you sit but nearer the front was best.
Then, you patiently wait until you hear a gasp and squeal as you see the smallest penguins in the world come waddling out of the sea. Initially a trickle but soon the beach is covered with your new little friends and you are mesmerized by this phenomenon.
After a good 30 minutes, the crowds start to empty, prompting you to join. But it’s not because the experience is over—far from it. They then appear below the walk way on their long journey home. Some are very tired and slow, some race to be reunited with loved ones but usually all move in pack. It is just wonderous. As night falls and there becomes fewer and fewer penguins as there are people and time to head out to get your penguin cuddly toy!
How many Penguins will I see?
When dealing with nature that thankfully is not coerced and forced to perform, then there are no guarantees. I had read as few as 20 and as many as 5000 have appeared in a night! But both are rare. The friend I went with has been multiple times and has always seen hundreds.
What should I wear to the parade?
A penguin onesie obviously. This was our choice but clearly optional and not supplied – yes my brilliant friend has them from previous visits and a spare for me! This just made the whole event for me and those round us as they were amused and slightly jealous they didn’t have one, especially when the temperature dropped!
So, if you’re not donning a onesie, be sure to bring warm attire and waterproof gear, if it’s raining!. The rain doesn’t stop these cute creatures nor does the viewings.
What not to do at the parade?
This is very simple, don’t take photos or even turn your phone on. You will be briefed about this on the day and it’s written in 5 languages on signage, so this is serious.
I was shocked how many arrogant people ignored this rule. The penguins wait till it’s almost dark to appear and if a flash goes off or even the light from your screen, it can hurt their eyes, disorientate them or worse, mean they can’t find their family. So if you see content on social media or on the web, that isn’t approved, then you know that person thought it was more important they got that photo than the well being of that penguin. I did what I could on my visit to call out this selfish and disrespectful behaviour as there’s not many rangers but it is distressing to see. And yes I can be referred to as the penguin police!
I get that it’s disappointing not to capture the something so joyful when our whole lives are documented in our phones but this wasn’t a money making rule as some can be. The park even offers free downloads of their photographs which are far better than anything most of us would be able to get. I pride myself that all my photo’s on here are my own. No stock imagery to give real reviews – no marketing spin. But I proudly make an exception for this.
Fun facts about Little Penguins on Phillip Island
- There’s 18 types of the penguin’s and Phillip Island is home to ‘The Little Penguin – Eudyptula novaehollandiae’ (which is different to New Zealand’s, Little Penguin the ‘Eudyptula minor’)
- Little penguins are the only penguins to have blue and white feathers so they are safe in the sea!
- They have 3 eyelids – the extra one works like goggles when they are underwater.
- Penguins are cheaters! That’s right. They don’t stay faithful to their partner. Naughty penguins! There’s a funny fun fact board there and this one says, ‘Who is my dad?’.
- They have a penguin party when back on land! Seriously it’s noisy. There’s kissing and hugging and no doubt where the wandering penguin eye plays!
- When they return from their parade this isn’t a nightly occurrence – it’s different penguins each night. They have usually been at sea for 4 weeks, fishing and floating. Yes they float for a rest… just a few minutes. They come home for nesting, breeding (cheating!) and partying.
- Little penguins run on instinct. Their parents alternate staying with them until 4 weeks old then it’s back to sea for them and just 4 weeks later the baby penguin will take their first sea adventure with no life lessons to guide them. Just intuition! What courageous, cute animals they are!
What else is there to do on Phillip Island?
While you are down on Phillip Island you may be considering staying and wondering what else you can do here. Named after Captain Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales who sailed from the UK in 1788, it is not actually an island now there is now a bridge that connects it to the mainland.
It has two main towns Cowes and San Remo, is pretty small but is packed with all sorts of things to do.
Come early and stop in Cowes for lunch by the beach or visit the local winery if you hadn’t had enough on the way down!
If you love a coastal walk then drive to the stunning San Remo beach where you can walk a costal circuit!
Head to Newhaven for the chocolate factory, stopping to pose in the famous wave which was once a part of a surfing museum or click here for more.
Final thoughts on visiting the Penguin Parade
Undoubtedly one of my top 10 experiences, and I’m not even an animal person! Make time for this magic when you are in Melbourne. Your happy, full heart after will thank you.
And when you return to Melbourne head to Madame Brussels rooftop bar for a ‘Penguin Parade’ cocktail! Cheers to making memories that will last a lifetime.