Kim
Gary
Andrew
Tayla-anne
Paul
Mohd
Raewyn
Rukshana
With a variety of views and experiences in store, the dolphin-shaped Phillip Island just south of Melbourne may as well be a tourist utopia. Only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a beautiful amalgamation of adventure, wildlife, beaches, expeditions, farm life, and greenery.
Some of the most pristine beaches of Victoria. like the Cowes, Smiths and Red Rock beaches, lay nestled in this island, making a Melbourne to Phillip Island tour a perfect way to get back in touch with nature and wildlife. Read on to learn more about what you can see and do on Phillip Island.
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Whether you want wildlife, illusions or simply fun, Phillip Island has an attraction for it all. Here are some of its biggest attractions:
Seal Rocks
Penguin Parade
Koala Conservation Reserve
Churchill Island
Nobbies Centre
Chocolate Factory
A Maze’n Things
Whether you visit one of the Nature Parks, take a guided tour or simply take a stroll down a trail, you’re certain to come across a few wild inhabitants of Phillip Island. Although the star animal of the island is the Little Penguin, you can also spot wallabies, koalas and colorful native birds almost anywhere on the island. Explore the seaside boardwalks to spot Aussie marine creatures like fur seals, orcas and whales.
Whether you want to start your morning or catch the sunset, you can find a cruise throughout the day at Phillip Island. Pick from a variety of options to spot dolphins, have high tea in the afternoon, or catch glimpses of migrating humpback whales.
With some of Victoria’s most pristine beaches situated here, Phillip Island offers a range of waterfront activities that scratch every adventurer’s itch. Home to the National Surfing Reserve, you can find both beginner and experienced zones for surfing. You can also explore the island’s beaches through kayaking or swimming.
There are various walking trails available at Phillip Island depending on what you’d like to explore. Take a walk along the Nobbies and Berrys Beach to get the best coastal and beach views. Marvel at nature’s beauty as you stroll through mangroves atop rainforest boardwalks. Or pick the widely recommended Whale Discovery Trail that allows you to spot orcas, humpback and southern right whales swimming around the island.
Phillip Island isn’t just wildlife and beaches. You can also find some family-fun attractions here like A Maze’n Things and the Chocolate Factory. Enter a magical world at A Maze’n Things and spend hours having fun at their house of illusions, giant 3D maze and mini golf course. View the world’s biggest chocolate waterfall at Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.
Can’t decide on which Melbourne to Phillip Island tour would be best for you? Here’s a quick guide to help you make your choice.
The penguins on Phillip Island usually arrive after sunset. The flash of your camera can be quite sudden and disorienting to the penguins, which may agitate them or make them nervous about returning to the island. To ensure that the Little Penguins remain comfortable and protected, photography is strictly prohibited after sunset.
Most Phillip Island tours cover the most popular attractions within the island, which includes Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and Penguin Parade. If you wish to explore beyond these attractions, you may have to venture out by yourself.
There are several walking trails on the island that you can take for absolutely no cost. There is a Whale Discovery trail along the Bass strait that can help you spot the three types of whales that live around Phillip Island. You may also head to the Nobbies Centre and take a stroll on the boardwalks and you’ll be able to spot koalas, wallabies, colorful local birds, and if you’re lucky, some penguins too.
If you have a vehicle of your own, then we suggest that you drive down to the island by yourself as this is the best and the most convenient way to get to and around Phillip Island. We suggest renting a car, if it’s in your budget. If you don’t have your own vehicle, the most convenient way to get here is to take the V/Line bus from Melbourne to Cowes.
Phillip Island is a popular destination and bookings for tickets and accommodations usually run out a few days in advance, especially in the summer as it’s the peak tourist season. We suggest that you start planning your visit to Phillip Island at least a couple of weeks in advance to be able to get accommodation as well.
Phillip Island has much to explore and one day is usually not sufficient time to cover everything that the island has to offer. That being said, we suggest that you at least visit the 3 Nature Parks of the island, the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and the Penguin Parade. You will be able to cover these 3 attractions with relative ease within one day.
Getting around Phillip Island if you don’t have your own vehicle could be a little tricky as there is limited public transportation available within the island. South Coast bus operates a few buses on the island, but be sure to follow the schedule to ensure convenient traveling. You can also rent a bike and ride around the island at your own pace. Otherwise, we highly recommend avoiding this hassle entirely and booking a Melbourne to Phillip Island tour. They always include return transfers, usually from your hotel in Melbourne itself.
If you wish to travel to Phillip Island by train or ferry, you will unfortunately not be able to find a direct route from Melbourne. However, you can club both options and take a train from Melbourne to Stony Point and then catch a ferry from here to Cowes.
Ticketing was easy to follow and information and maps for the three activities were good. The staff at all three were really helpful, pleasant and made the experiences fun. It was fun getting close to the animals at Churchill Island and the highlight was milking the cow. Walking around the koala reserve and again getting to see them up close was special. The highlight of the afternoon was the penguin parade, particularly getting to see them as they went to their burrows, from the boardwalk. We all agreed that we had a great day. We self drove.
The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable, making our experience a great one. And the penguins were so cute and adorable when they came into the beach.
Loved every bit of Churchill island and the activities they host and the penguin parade is soo cute.
Everything and it was great and my cousins loved seening the penguins as they were from America
The whole experience was amazing, I was so in awe of these little creatures who show such reslience to get up to their little homes eahc night after a big day out in the ocean. The architecture of the building at the Penguin Parade is something to see. Also the reason I found this opportunity was listening to Martin Clunes on a documentary about the best Islands in Australia where he shared the plight and story of these 30cm (1 kg in weight) snallest penguins in the world.
The penguins of course but disliked the fact too many people, no photos but everyone was taking photos whilst penguins were walking up to their burrow and stunning them. I felt it distressing. That's not keeping them safe
A fun night. Cold but entertaining. Penguins arrived hesitantly but scurried quickly once the group was big enough. The displays in the Penguin Parade centre were interesting. Lots to see and do...
The penguins were great. The guides were great. The foreigners kept disobeying the rules...not sitting down and always using their phone
Had a great time. Needing an app for the tickets was a bit of a pain, but luckily all the staff at the three parks were very helpful and understanding about our not wanting the hassle.
We absolutely loved where we were sitting. The penguins came out straight in front of us and it was awesome. Loved seeing them swim in and wait for their friends to come join them before they headed up the beach.
The ticketing system was easy as! Ticket, simple and fast. The experience was awesome watching the penguins roll in after dusk.... very special indeed, wish we could have stayed longer than the 50mins of lights though!
Seeing the little penguins and spending time observing them in their environment. We also got to see the bandicoot and a few possums :)
It's really well set out and organised and the educational piece at the start was useful. Ticketing was easy although I don't download the app and didn't need to so could have done without being told I needed that extra step.
A wonderful experience seeing the little penguins exiting the ocean under a full moon! Witnessing this natural phenomenon was a real privilege. The event was very well organised by the co-ordinators.
The walk to watch the parade was very good, seating was really good, guides were great even when they had people still wanting to take photos they had great patience, the facilities where first clss, great evening that we recommending to all our family and friends.
My first time taking my 2 kids 12 and 8 to the penguins. The kids loved seeing the penguins up close and fearing their sounds as they found their burrows. . There were a lot of disrespectful people there standing up and taking photos and videos. It was a sold out evening so we barely got to see any penguins coming on to shore, maybe 4. Thank goodness their experience was made so much better as we walked back along the boardwalk. . The staff were great but constantly having to tell people to sit down and stop using their phones for photos and video.
I enjoyed the experience of waiting and watching the penguins to return home. I had no expectations, so it made the experience more joyful as I waited in anticipation for the arrival of their return. One of nature's amazing gift to us.
Ticketing via your website was very easy. Your commentary from Sue was fantastic, she knows her stuff. Thank you. We spoke to a few guides and they were all great to have chat about the penguins with.
We enjoyed the penguin parade and the staff were so helpful and polite.
It has been an overall positive experience and we're so glad we did the tour.
The koala conservation reserve was fantastic! Staff was very friendly and eager to answer questions my group had.
What a wonderful experience. Definitely worth spending the extra for vip section.
Penguins are cool. Other tourists didn't follow rules
Incredible birthday experience for me and my husband. 🐧 🐧 🐧
The experience was quite good.
See the world’s only wild penguin parade!
Inclusions
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
Entry to Churchill Island
Catriona
Julie
Graham
Very efficient and fun. Tour guide was fantastic.
Penguins, very much. The animal park was just ok. The amount of time on the bus, while perhaps unavoidable, was not enjoyable. Very, very long day. Would have loved the opportunity to swim. Brighton beach houses were a bust, didn't even have time to kick off shoes and wade in the beautiful water.
The tour was amazing! Definitely recommend if you're wanting to see the beautiful views victoria has to offer. Moonlit sanctuary homing an incredible range of native animals offering close up experiences. Phillip Island did not disappoint, being able to see the penguins in their natural habitat was a once in a lifetime experience. Our journey made even better by our tour guide Jonno who was friendly, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his job.
The tour guide Graeme was great and went out of the way to stop the bus and help us spot roos, wallabies and other wild life on our journey.
Loved moonlit sanctuary, getting up close to the animals was great. Also the penguin parade, such awesome little animals. Israel our driver made the whole experience a joy with his knowledge & friendliness
The trip was awesome. The guild Chris was fantastic, he knowledgable and patient. The trip was smooth and well taken care by him.
Frank, our tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Our guide, Chris H was fabulous. Penguins were awesome. Minnlit sanctuary was fun.
All stops were great, but seeing the penguins popping out of the see, walking nearby was amazing.
Must-visit place! Definitely recommend Headout for booking
Very clear communication from the point of purchase to the pick-up.
Its reliable
Sunrise at Melbourne’s beach boxes to sunset with penguin viewing!
Inclusions
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
An all day tour went so quickly as James C our driver and tour guide was fantastic. Good driver and good historian. Got lots of info about Australia and Melbourne and Victoria. Tour bus comfortable and interesting group of co travellers. Loved all four of our stops. The stops also broke up the bus travel and just loved the penguin parade plus bandicoots, geese, wallabies and a possum who all showed up for the parade too. We will book with Go West again next time in Melbourne perhaps for the great ocean road tour.
Great guide with Bluey giving us lots of information along the way and when we got there the best places to see the penguins. A must see trip.
Ticketing went very smoothly .Chris our guide ,was very informative about the areas we visited and gave excellent advice on how to get the best out of our visit to the penguin habitat. Chris is full of life and entertained us and made sure even the children on board a fun experience. A wonderful afternoon and evening
We had a great experience. There was a bit of chaos at the pickup. But after that it was smooth overall. Our guide/driver Jordan was great too.
This was a wonderful experience. Fiona was very knowledgeable about the area and navigated us around so we could see everything! Highly recommend going with this family run business! You will not be disappointed!!!
Nice trip, we have lots of fun.
Tour guide Bill is awesome!!! He's kind and caring
Over all excellent tour and guide is very good
Good half day your. Bluey, our guide was entertaining and full of useful information
Your pace, your penguin adventure—half or full day.
Inclusions
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Exclusions
Joanne
Karen
Thank you Tom Julie from Perth WA 😊
Amazing trip,, kind and well-informed guide; a pity the mic on the bus did not work though. Also, a teeny bit chaotic sorting people into three different coaches. But it alk worked out perfectly in the end. Puffing Billy and the penguins are definitely well worth the time and money.
The guide John was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and really keen to give everyone the best experience possible. He went above and beyond from his photography skills to ensuring his passengers had a way to get home.
Our driver Phil was down to earth, full of info, prompt and got us in and set for the activities on the itinerary with no dramas :)
Ride with Puffing Billy was good, despite the rain. Animal "spotting" and the pinguins were also good. Gavin, the driver, had a lot of knowledge that he willingly shared.
Great weather, great sights and sweet guide.
To be honest I loved everything about it. It's went exactly as I expected. I should've brought a warmer jacket with me to the penguins though. I can't remember our guides name but he was really good and informative. I'm very glad that I did the tour and I would recommend it.
The app showed pick up time 10:15 However the tour guide sent us a text message saying that pick up time 8:30 but i did't see the message…
Ride the Puffing Billy and see the Penguin Parade—all in one seamless day with coastal views and wildlife encounters.
Everything you get: Get scenic transfers from Melbourne to the Dandenong Ranges and ride the Puffing Billy steam train through forested landscapes. Enjoy free time at Emerald Lake Park, visit the Nobbies boardwalk, and watch the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Includes round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned coach and an English-speaking guide.
Why choose this: See two top Victoria sights in one day—steam train ride & penguin parade—with expert guide and easy Melbourne transfers.
Inclusions
Puffing Billy steam train ticket (Belgrave to Emerald)
Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Return transfers from Melbourne CBD
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from meeting point
English-speaking professional guide
Air-conditioned coach transport
Exclusions
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Peguins were a very nice experience in my life and for my family.
Lock in your summer 2025 getaway (June to August 2025). Book by Aug 31, 2025 and grab exclusive 10% off!
Inclusions
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Great experience much better than I thought!
The bus operator guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the tour. We got some very helpful tips about the Moonlit Sanctuary and the Penguin Parade. We really enjoyed this experience and would recommend it to others.
At Penguin Parade, Officials at Entry Gate not able to scan my Ticket with Upgrade Underground and not allowed me but Miss Eliza from Go West supported us with Normal Ticket to See Penguin Parade. Overall experience was Good. Will Headout provide me refund of tickets?
Hand-feed kangaroos before penguin magic at dusk.
Inclusions
Full-day tour to Philip Island
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne
English-speaking guide
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park
Entry to Point Grant & The Nobbies
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
Exclusions
