Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne is Phillip Island, one of Victoria’s most beautiful natural wildlife reserves. On Phillip Island, visitors will have ample opportunity to view some of Australia’s most famous animals including koalas, kangaroos and the beloved Phillip Island Penguins.
The most popular attraction on Phillip Island is the penguin parade which occurs every evening. Here, visitors to the island will be able to view hundreds of tiny penguins as they emerge from the sea and waddle up to their nesting boxes in search of food and shelter.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade Discount Tickets & Prices
The main penguin viewing area at Summerland Beach has tiered seating and provides a 180 degree elevated viewing of the penguins on parade. Visitors should arrive just before dusk and settle in to wait for the penguins’ arrival. For those who would like a personalised experience, there are packages available which get you an up-close view of the penguins from a closer and more exclusive platform.
As the penguins move up the beach, the crowd moves to follow as you walk up the boardwalk to watch the penguins as they feed and find their nesting boxes which dot the landscape. Visitors are asked not to use flash photography as this can damage the penguins’ sensitive eyes and may scare them away.
After the penguins have settled in for the night, visitors can check out the information centre where you can learn more about fairy penguins and the environment around Phillip Island.
There is plenty of parking at the Penguin Parade as well as disabled access right down to the beach. Visitors are advised to bring warm clothing to the penguin parade as it can get very cold during the evening, particularly in the winter months.
Hi
Do you supply wheelchairs for penguin parade? My sister has broken her foot and from memory the boardwalk to the penguin parade is quite a walk so would like it if she could use a wheelchair if possible.
Many thanks
Tash
Hi Tash,
I have found the following information from the Penguin Parade’s accessibility section of their website at https://www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/accessibility/.
It states that there is:
– Complimentary buggy if transport to beach required
– Complimentary wheelchair for use inside the visitor centre
So if your sister is able to get as far as the visitor centre, it seems like she will be able to get around inside and down to the viewing areas.
Thanks
Michael
Hi. I am a carer and are looking after my sister we have a companion card. How can we purchase tickets. Can we get it early at the penguins centre what time and where do we get the tickets. Thanks Marg
Hi Margaret,
Companion Card holders are entitled to free entry to all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions. Just show your card at entry, no need to purchase a ticket. Victorian Carers Card holders also receive a 10% discount at all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions.
There is also disabled parking at the Phillip Island Penguins, disabled ramp access through the visitor centre and along the boardwalks, complimentary buggy if transport to beach required, complimentary wheelchair for use inside the visitor centre, exclusive disabled access viewing areas in General Viewing, Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing, disabled toilets in the visitor centre and interpretive displays at wheelchair eye height.
Call the venue and let them know which day you want to visit the penguins to get advice about the best time to arrive. The crowds are very seasonal, and it can get very busy in the summer months. You can call them on (03) 5951 2800.
Have a great time on Phillip Island!
Jess
Hi can 3 years old baby ride the EcoBoat?
We have 3 adults and 1 three years old baby.
Hi Jaclyn,
The minimum age is 4 years for the EcoBoat. So unfortunately you will need to wait until next year to take your little one.
Regards,
Jess
Hi,
I am from other country.
We will come to Phillip Island on my holiday,and i want to know…
Penguin Parade of the 4 Park Pass ($57) is “+ Penguin Plus” or just General Admission?
Looking forward to your reply
Pedy
Hi Pedy,
The Penguin Parade 4 Park Pass is for General Admission only. In terms of the seating for General Admission, I have done it many times and you still have a great view of the Penguins. There is a large grandstand which can seat hundreds of people which provides an unobstructed view of the beach.
After the penguins come ashore, all people (including the Penguin Plus ticketholders) can walk up the beach beside the penguins. So there are plenty of opportunities to still see the penguins up close with the General Admission Ticket.
If you are interested in purchasing the ‘4 Parks Pass’, you can do so here. The Koala Conservation Park is another attraction I would definitely recommend as you get to walk up platforms into the trees where you can get within a metre or two of some sleeping koalas! Amazing!
Have a great time in Phillip Island!
Kind regards,
Jess
I am planning on taking my family to the penguin parade during the first week of January. Will I be able to show up and purchase tickets on the day, or do tickets book out early? If the latter, how early do I need to purchase tickets (ie. day before or even earlier)?
Hi Chris,
Yes, tickets are available for purchase on the day, however they can sell out during very busy periods. Being school holidays, I would expect long lines at the ticket booths, so I would advise purchasing online in advance. If you want to purchase the Penguin Plus which regularly books out, you will need to book this experience in advance.
The other advantage of purchasing online, is that the “4-Parks Pass” bundles the Penguins, Koalas, Churchill Island and Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies all together for a discounted ticket.
If you just want to see the penguins, you can purchase general admission tickets here. You can opt for General Admission which is what most people choose, or there is the “Penguin Plus” experience which gets to closer to the penguins with a separate viewing platform from those with Gen Adm.
Make sure to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the penguins arriving to ensure you get a park, and make sure to bring jackets. Although it may be a hot summer night in Melbourne, it can get very chilly off the water in Phillip Island later in the evening.
Have a fantastic time!
Best regards,
Jess
Hi, I am wanting to buy 2 pensioners plus a child admission ticket to the Penguin Plus for the 15th of December.
Also I am an NRMA member. Can you please advise me of the costs? Thankyou
Hi Nicole,
For the Penguin Plus experiene, the cost of 2 Adults and 1 Child will total = $118. Unfortunately there is no discount for pensioners or NRMA membership.
You can purchase your tickets here.
Have a great time with the penguins on Phillip Island!
Best regards,
Jess
Hi, is it possible to purchase a gift voucher to the penguin parade to be booked on a date that suits the recipient? Also, can you please provide more information on the private bookings that allow better access – in particular interested in ticketing that is suitable for children.
Thank you
Anna
Hi Anna,
Yes, it is possible to purchase a gift voucher which allows the recipient to select the day. You can find further information here.
There are a number of booking options which provide better access. You are looking for something called “Penguin Plus” which gives you up-close viewing of the penguins at the Penguin Parade. There are also “VIP” experiences and “Behind the Scenes” experiences.
Make sure to check out all the bundle options as you can pair your Penguin experience with other fun things to do on Phillip Island which is cheaper than buying tickets separately.
Regards,
Jess
Hi
I am looking for 3 parks pass for 14 adults and 5 children aged 4-7 years old.
Do you have the package for that?
Cheers
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
Here is a link to the 3 park pass. Adults are $42.60 and kids are $21.30.
This pass will give you entry to the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Park and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
Please select your Penguin Parade date of visit when purchasing your tickets. Entry to the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm is valid for six months from the Penguin Parade visit date.
The penguins arrive at sunset, so best to get there 1 hour early as seats are not allocated. Also, make sure to rug up, as it can get very cold in winter!
Enjoy your time on the beautiful Phillip Island!
Regards,
Jess
I want to see the penguin parade and the Koala sanctuary.
How much is just the Koala sanctuary and where on the island is it please.
Kind regards Judy.
Hi Judy, thanks for contacting us.
To assist you, I have attached a link to our page on the Koala Conservation Centre here. This page contains the address (1810 Phillip Island Road), a Google map of the location as well as pricing.
The Koala Conservation Centre has the following admission prices:
Adult (16+yrs): $12.50
Child (4-15yrs): $6.25
Family (2Ad + 2Ch): $31.25
Pensioner: $8.75
If you are also interested in visiting Churchill Island, you can purchase the three park pass which works out a little cheaper for all three attractions. If not, then purchase your Penguin and Koala tickets separately.
You can purchase your Phillip Island Penguin tickets here. You can purchase your Koala Conservation Centre tickets here.
Enjoy your time on Phillip Island!
Regards,
Jess