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Bunyip Tours · Melbourne CBD hotel pickup

Penguin Parade Eco Tour

A full guided day from Melbourne to Phillip Island, on Gippsland's western edge: koalas and kangaroos at Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies boardwalks over Bass Strait and the little penguins coming ashore at sunset. Pick it for the small group of up to 24 and a Parade ticket already in your pocket.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade Eco Tour

About this experience

Bunyip Tours, a family-owned Melbourne operator with more than 20 years of experience, runs this day in a group of up to 24 guests. Pickup is from selected Melbourne city hotels between 10:00 am and noon, depending on the season, and the exact time arrives by email after you book. The guide speaks English, and a free app carries recorded commentary in 16 languages. The day runs about 12 hours and ends back in Melbourne later in the evening.

The order, per the listing: Moonlit Sanctuary first, with time to walk among kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and native birds and to buy lunch. In the summer months there is a stop at Cape Woolamai for its cliffs and ocean views. Then the Nobbies, where boardwalks look over Bass Strait towards Seal Rocks. Phillip Island Nature Parks says the Nobbies boardwalks and car park are open, while the Nobbies Centre, its cafe and its toilets are closed for now. The day ends at the Penguin Parade at Summerlands, where you watch the penguins cross the beach to their burrows at sunset with a standard viewing ticket. Phillip Island is home to about 40,000 little penguins, the largest little penguin colony in the world.

Included, per the listing: hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, entry to Moonlit Sanctuary, the Penguin Parade standard viewing ticket, the Nobbies, Cape Woolamai in summer, onboard Wi-Fi and the audio app. Not included: food and drinks (you may bring your own) and the kangaroo food sold at the sanctuary. Strollers, luggage, large bags and non-folding or electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and the listing marks the tour unsuitable for wheelchair users. One tip: eat a proper breakfast, because the first meal stop is lunch at the sanctuary.

  • The little penguins waddling up Summerlands Beach at sunset
  • Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas up close at Moonlit Sanctuary
  • The Nobbies boardwalks above Bass Strait, looking towards Seal Rocks
  • Cape Woolamai's cliffs and beaches in the summer months
  • A group of up to 24, with the Parade ticket included
  • Recorded commentary in 16 languages through a free app

How the day runs

  1. 10:00 am to noonHotel pickup

    Pickup from selected Melbourne city hotels; the exact time depends on the season and arrives by email.

  2. Early afternoonMoonlit Sanctuary

    Time to walk among kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and native birds, and to buy lunch.

  3. Summer onlyCape Woolamai

    In the summer months the tour adds a stop for Cape Woolamai's cliffs, beaches and ocean views.

  4. Late afternoonThe Nobbies

    Walk the coastal boardwalks with views across Bass Strait to Seal Rocks while the guide explains the coast.

  5. SunsetThe Penguin Parade

    Watch the little penguins come out of the surf and cross the sand to their burrows, from a standard viewing seat.

  6. EveningBack to Melbourne

    The return drive to the city, with drop-off later in the evening.

The Nobbies, a flat-topped islet off a rocky green headland, seen past a timber boardwalk railA small group of little penguins walking out of the surf onto a sandy beachA row of little penguins at the water's edge in blue evening light

What's included

Included

  • Selected Melbourne city hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Expert local guide
  • Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary
  • Penguin Parade standard viewing ticket
  • The Nobbies, and Cape Woolamai in the summer months
  • Air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi
  • Audio commentary in 16 languages
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • Food and drinks (you may bring your own)
  • Kangaroo and wallaby food, sold at Moonlit Sanctuary
  • Strollers, luggage and large bags: not allowed, per the listing

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You have no car and want the Parade without the late drive back
  • You want koalas and kangaroos in the same day as the penguins
  • You like a mid-morning start rather than a dawn one
  • Your group speaks several languages: the app covers 16

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

Our guide Rhys was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and funny. The whole tour is well organised with enough breaks to get food/drinks/toilet. Really enjoyable whole day trip.

Lucie · Oct 2026
★★★★★

The tour was child friendly and we were so happy with the child car seat arrangement. The itinerary is perfect. We were not rushing and had plenty of time to enjoy each stop / spot.

Marissa · Sep 2026
★★★★★

Our guide, Chris N, was fantastic. The time allowed for us to visit each location enabled us to enjoy the views in peace.

Matteo · Sep 2026
★★★★★

This tour is perfect if you don’t have a car, as everything is well organized and easy to follow. I really appreciated that the visit to the Moonlit sanctuary was included [...] Seeing iconic Australian animals up close was such a special experience and absolutely worth it.

Angela · Jun 2026

Tips before you book

  • Pack a warm jacket even in summer. The Parade is outdoors, by the sea, after sunset; the listing also suggests binoculars and a power bank.
  • Photography is not allowed once the penguins arrive: Phillip Island Nature Parks asks visitors not to take photos after sunset, because a flash can frighten the birds. Take your penguin photos in your head, and your koala photos at the sanctuary.
  • Download the operator's free audio app before pickup if you want the commentary in another language.
  • Bring a credit card: lunch, dinner and the kangaroo food are paid for on the day.
  • Comparing the penguin days? Our Penguin Parade guide sets out the viewing areas, the ticket prices and the tours side by side.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Penguin Parade ticket included in the eco tour?

Yes. The listing includes a Penguin Parade standard viewing ticket, plus entry to Moonlit Sanctuary and the stop at the Nobbies.

What time does the Penguin Parade eco tour pick up?

Between 10:00 am and noon, depending on the season, from selected Melbourne city hotels. Your exact time is emailed after booking.

How much is the Penguin Parade Eco Tour?

It starts from $109 per person on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Meals and kangaroo food are extra.

Does the eco tour go to Cape Woolamai?

Only in the summer months, per the listing. The rest of the year the day runs Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies and the Parade.

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Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade at sunset, with a guide from Melbourne.

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Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade at sunset, with a guide from Melbourne.

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