Visitors to Australia often think of kangaroos bounding across red deserts or koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees. Yet one of Victoria’s most charming and unforgettable wildlife experiences takes place on the windswept shores of Phillip Island, just a couple of hours from Melbourne. It’s called the Penguin Parade.

Every evening, at sunset, hundreds or even thousands of these adorable little creatures emerge from the ocean, shake off the seawater and start waddling across the beach. Where are they going and why are they here? It’s a wildlife spectacle unmatched anywhere in the world.

The penguins are all going home – to their nests, or burrows. Sometimes it’s just to reconnect with, and feed, their mate. But during the breeding season, it’s to feed their mate and their chick.

Penguins are the world’s greatest example of sharing parenting equally. Each penguin, the male or female, takes turns going out to sea to hunt for fish. They stay out there until their bellies are full with sardines, anchovies or white bait, then they come home and regurgitate the fish for their mate and/or chick.

What makes this all the more amazing is that this wildlife spectacle takes place right in front of you, as you sit on stands above the beach. Later you can wander on the boardwalks and see the penguins parading up the slope so close to you, you could almost touch them. (But you can’t, of course!)

Watch in wide-eyed wonder...

What makes the Penguin Parade so special?

An unmatched natural wildlife spectacle

Most animal encounters let you see creatures in captivity, like a zoo, or at a distance like a safari. What makes the Penguin Parade so unique is that it is wild, unpredictable, and beautifully authentic, yet you get to experience it up close, in the wild, as a natural encounter.

Little Penguins are the world’s smallest penguin species. They spend their days hunting in the cold waters of Bass Strait before waddling up Summerland Beach at dusk to return to their nests in the sand dunes. It’s a routine that’s both timeless and enchanting, a fleeting glimpse into the hidden rhythms of nature.  

For visitors, there’s no greater thrill than watching these tiny birds emerge from the surf, their tuxedo-like plumage shining in the soft evening light, as they meander their way up the sand to the cheers, whispers and awed silence of an expectant audience. The simplicity and authenticity of this moment - wildlife behaving naturally - is a huge part of its charm.

A wildlife encounter, unmatched in popularity

The nightly Penguin Parade on Philip Island is not just a local favourite - it’s a global drawcard that is on the absolute must-see bucket list of so many visitors to Victoria.

In 2023/24 the event drew over 700,000 visitors from all corners of the globe. The parade grows in popularity every year as more and more international travellers value authentic experiences. Those who come to the Penguin Parade seek a more meaningful outdoor experience and wildlife interaction. Very few things deliver that as profoundly as watching Little Penguins in their natural habitat.

This surge in visitation to see the penguins also reflects on how well managed and sustainable the experience has become. Phillip Island Nature Parks, the organisation that protects and runs the Penguin Parade, pays close attention to carefully balancing visitor access with wildlife protection so that the experience remains as magical as possible for guests while ensuring minimal disturbance to the penguins.  

Flexible experiences for every traveller on every budget

Another reason the Penguin Parade on Philip Island shines as a top tourism attraction is that it’s NOT a one-size-fits-all encounter. 

You can choose from a wide variety of options to see the Penguins, up close, really close or even closer. And each one is tailored to your budget and personal preferences, ensuring there’s something for every kind of traveller:

• General Viewing: The traditional, tiered, amphitheatre-style seating extending up from the beach, gives everyone a great view as the penguins emerge from the waves and start waddling in small groups across the sand.

• Penguins Plus: This is a more premium, elevated platform located closer to the penguins’ final pathway up the slopes. You will see more penguins up close as they parade past than you will from the beach seating. But it comes at an additional cost and tends to sell out in peak times.

• Underground Viewing: Located UNDER the Penguins Plus platform, this unique underground viewing room lets you watch the penguins at eye level through glass windows as they waddle by. Admission to this small view area is strictly limited and it also sells out fast, despite the premium price.

• Guided Ranger Tours: Another alternative is to join a small group, led by an expert guide who will share conservation stories, insights into the penguin’s behaviour, and closer encounters. You hear everything through personal headsets. This has additional pricing to the general viewing area.

The entire Penguin Parade area has also recently undergone significant infrastructure upgrades - including a new boardwalk, expanded viewing stands, improved seating, and accessibility upgrades. These improvements have enhanced the overall visitor experience of the Penguin Parade, allowing it to be seen by even more people without compromising either the wellbeing of the penguins or their habitat.  

Whether you a family, a couple, a small group or an individual, these different layers of experience allow you to choose the level of engagement with the penguins that you want. Whether you are a committed wildlife lover or just a casual observer of the wonders of nature, there is a Penguin Parade experience that’s just right for you.

You save the penguins as you watch them

Visiting The Penguin Parade isn’t just a wonderful experience for you, it actually aids in the future survival of the entire penguin colony on the island. So that makes it very important from a conservation point of view. The Little Penguin colony on Phillip Island is considered one of the largest in the world, with some 40,000 birds residing on the Summerland Peninsula all year-round. 

When you visit the colony, you will quickly learn that what you’re watching is much more than a wildlife show: it’s the result of decades of conservation, habitat restoration, scientific research, and careful management. The Phillip Island Nature Parks work tirelessly to maintain protective measures - from rehabilitating injured penguins to eradicating invasive predators and restoring native vegetation. Much of the money to fund these activities comes directly from tourism revenue. 

But more than this, the educational component of your visit adds depth to your experience. You don’t just get to see penguins, you understand more about their lives, struggles, and the broader environmental context in which the parade exists. This story, a compelling story of human stewardship and wildlife resilience, adds layers of meaning that most ordinary tourist attractions simply can’t match.

You walk away, not only profoundly moved by the experience but enlightened on what you can do to assist conservation not just of the penguins, but all wildlife.

Wildlife connection - making memories that last

The reasons why the Penguin Parade sits at the top of Victoria’s tourism attractions are many:

It’s personal & emotional

There’s something deeply emotional about watching a group of little birds cross the beach right in front of just after sunset. It’s not some staged interaction, it’s a shared moment with nature. Every visitor feels it - the anticipation as the sky grows darker, the excitement of seeing the first tiny figures emerge from the surf, the collective hush as hundreds of visitors witness something truly timeless.

Family stories worth telling

Whether you are the child who squeals as a tiny penguin waddles by, the couple holding hands as the sun dips below the horizon, or the solo traveller who pauses in awe, your experience at the Penguin Parade will become a story you will share for years to come. A story you will tell again and again in wide-eyed wonder. In an age where authentic moments matter more than ever, that’s an experience that is truly priceless.

Positive cultural and economic impact

Beyond the emotional value of the experience, the Penguin Parade significantly contributes to Victoria’s tourism economy as well as the local community on the island. As an interstate, international or local visitor to Melbourne, your trip to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins on parade each night, helps support local businesses and shows your passion for nature and conservation. When you undertake tourist activity tied to nature - especially responsibly managed tourism -  you keep such experiences going for your fellow travellers.

A private tour – the perfect way to see the penguins

Of all the ways you could choose to visit the Penguin Parade, a private tour works best. 

You have greater flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to add additional wildlife encounters or other experiences on your way to see the penguins. 

A private tour, with a friendly, engaging and experienced tour guide/driver will provide you with a much more fulfilling experience than if you drove yourself or joined a public tour. 

You can choose to add a visit to see Koalas and hand-feed Kangaroos at Naru Wildlife Park on the way. 

You can go for a walk along Woolamai beach. 

Visit the Nobbies and Seal Rocks and stroll along the boardwalk to see the “blowhole” or spot penguins emerging from their burrows. 

Have dinner and go shopping in the town of Cowes – the unofficial “capital” of Philip Island. Enjoy fish and chips on the pier.

Take a slow drive along the “back road” to the Penguin Beach, spotting wallabies and possibly Sea Eagles. And of course, penguins!

So many of these and other experiences can be added to your personally curated tour itinerary when you book a private tour to the Penguin Parade with a reputable company like Melbourne Touring Company.

You can also make the Penguin Parade part of a multi-day tour. Add in a trip on the gorgeously restored, heritage steam train – the Puffing Billy. Or include the iconic Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road.

On a private tour, you travel in comfort, at your own pace. (No rushing here and there with big groups of others.)

You receive in-depth commentary from your knowledgeable driver/guide, which enhances your experience, explaining more about local history, cultural insights and indigenous knowledge.

Of course, you also remove all the stress of trying to drive yourself to an unfamiliar destination on unknown roads, a trip that becomes more risky on the return journey in the dark.

Watch wildlife in wide-eyed wonder

The Little Penguin Parade on Phillip Island isn’t just another Victoria tourist attraction - it’s a lived experience. 

Nothing else so beautifully blends wildlife wonder, conservation education, tourism innovation, and genuine human connection into a single unforgettable evening. Whether you are a first-time visitor from overseas or a local family just looking for something nature-based to do, you are guaranteed to walk away with special memories - of tiny penguins, the sound of waves rolling in at dusk, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

For any visitor to Victoria, it really is one of those “must-include” experiences - not just because it’s popular, but because it’s meaningful, emotional, and undeniably unique. 

From its popularity to its upgraded viewing platforms, from its outstanding conservation messaging to its cultural resonance, the Philip Island Penguin Parade continues to be a standout reason so many travellers choose it for their next great adventure.

It’s your chance to watch wildlife in wide-eyed wonder.