Phillip Island Nature Parks · Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, Summerlands
A General Viewing ticket to the Penguin Parade at Summerlands on Phillip Island, where little penguins come ashore at sunset every night of the year. Pick it if you are driving yourself: you get the grandstands, the boardwalks and the visitor centre, and you set your own day around them.
This is the entry ticket on its own, sold by Phillip Island Nature Parks. You make your own way to the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, where parking is free. Phillip Island is about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, and the Nature Parks adds about 20 minutes from the bridge to the Parade. Plan on about 2 hours there, per the listing.
Arrive about an hour before sunset, per the listing, so you have time for the visitor centre and a seat. General Viewing gives you tiered grandstand seating over Summerlands Beach, and the boardwalks let you watch the penguins walk up past you towards their burrows. Phillip Island is home to about 40,000 little penguins, the largest little penguin colony in the world. They arrive at sunset every night of the year, in any weather, and the viewing is outdoors.
Included: General Viewing entry. Not included: transport. Phillip Island Nature Parks sells General Viewing at A$34 for adults, A$17 for children aged 4 to 15 and A$85 for a family of four. Everyone needs a ticket, infants included, and the venue is cashless. The onsite cafe sells coffee, snacks and full meals. The listing marks the experience wheelchair accessible; the Nature Parks notes that its accessibility buggy is out of service during burrow and boardwalk works, so ask ahead if you need it. A friendly tip: the front rows go first, so get there early if you want to sit low and close.
About 90 minutes from Melbourne to Phillip Island, then about 20 minutes from the bridge to the Parade. Parking is free.
Arrive about an hour before sunset, per the listing, and learn about the colony in the visitor centre.
Take a place in the General Viewing grandstands above Summerlands Beach; the front rows fill first.
Groups of little penguins come out of the surf and cross the beach. Cameras away from now on.
Walk back along the boardwalks as the penguins head up to their burrows beside you.
★★★★★We upgraded to Premium Plus seats on site. This is definitely recommended. We had hundreds of penguins right in front of us.
★★★★★Well worth the wait. We got there in plenty of time to get front row seats. Lots of little penguins to see. The gift shops and cafe are great. Make sure you take warm clothing and a rug during the cooler months.
★★★★★A very impressive experience. Unique. For the General Viewing Tickets, it is recommended to bring binoculars. In June/July (Australian winter), be sure to dress warmly.
★★★★★We took our two grand children to the penguin parade and we all enjoyed it very much . Being able to see the penguins after they leave the beach , going to their burrows was truly amazing .
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Phillip Island Nature Parks lists General Viewing at A$34 for adults, A$17 for children aged 4 to 15 and A$85 for a family of four. On GetYourGuide it starts from $24.
About an hour before sunset, per the listing. The penguins come ashore at sunset, so the time changes through the year.
No. Cameras and phones are not allowed once the penguins arrive, because flashes and lights can frighten them.
Yes, free of charge up to 2 days before, per the listing. That is longer notice than the 24 hours on the guided penguin days.
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General viewing at the Penguin Parade, for when you drive to Phillip Island yourself.
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