Phillip Island Penguin Parade

We were two adults and I have to say, if you have small children, they might not get much out of this and will probably be tired and irritable after dark. That being said, there is a huge parking lot with paths to the visitor center. Inside the visitor center they have a cafe with food and drinks, we also saw an ice cream cart. Also inside the VC they have a ticket counter in case you want to upgrade your ticket to Premium or VIP stands. There is also a kids play area centered around penguins as well as some informational displays about the Little Penguins found here and the 17 other types of penguins. They scan your tickets before you are allowed on the boardwalk to begin your walk towards the beach. Along the way we spotted multiple wallabies and a Cape Barren Goose. After arriving at the seating area your best bet is to go as far down and to the right as you can to get the best view. We saw two different groups come out of the water from our vantage point about 6 rows back. They give you an estimate of when the penguins will emerge but our first ones were about 15 minutes later than that. After about 20 minutes of watch them come out, leave the seating area and head back to the boardwalk. They have low level lighting where you can see the penguins in the sand along with the hatchlings. We also saw an Australian possum. One note, after sunset no photos or videos are allowed and the volunteers WILL come around if they see you either your phone out.

AMAZING!!! The staff are very friendly and many of them were ready to help with any questions. Very knowledgeable staff also. We were on a tour bus and thoroughly enjoyed our time. Well worth paying extra to do penguin plus. I last visited 34yrs ago, it has changed a bit, but it was amazing watching the penguins come in from the ocean. All photos taken in daylight as this is when you can take photos. After dark no photography or video. Staff give you a qr code you can download photos. It is much better to be fully immersed in the experience anyway. The staff were very patient and polite when asking people to put their phones away. I don't understand why people can't follow instructions, as we were told the camera and phones damage the penguins eyes. If you want to visit the penguins then respect the penguins 🐧 and the staff.

A wonderful and educational experience and well worth the visit. The Penguin Parade is incredibly informative, with excellent interpretation and staff who clearly care about conservation and wildlife education. Learning about the penguins’ behaviours, habitats, and protection efforts really adds depth to the experience and makes watching them return home even more special. The viewing areas are well organised, and the experience is respectful of the animals while still allowing visitors a clear and memorable view. Watching the penguins waddle ashore at dusk is genuinely heart-warming and something you won’t forget. Great for families, couples, and visitors of all ages, especially those interested in wildlife and conservation. It’s not just entertaining — it’s meaningful, educational, and thoughtfully run. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. 🐧 Educational & informative 🌿 Strong conservation focus 🌅 Unique wildlife experience

Overall, this experience sits somewhere between 3 and 5 stars. I am giving 5 stars purely because of the penguins themselves — the parade and witnessing this moment in nature is absolutely extraordinary and truly one of a kind. It is an unforgettable natural wonder, and for that alone, it deserves high praise! However, the service does not match the price or expectations, particularly for VIP tickets. Beyond the closer seating, there is very little added value that truly feels “VIP”. A simple but meaningful improvement would be providing binoculars at VIP seating. This would allow guests to see the penguins clearly without the temptation to use phones or zoom in. Another important point is how the no-photography rule is explained. Simply saying “no photos because of the flash” is not very effective. It would be far more impactful to clearly explain that the issue is NOT ONLY THE FLASH — even without it, phones emit signals when taking photos or videos, which can DISORIENT AND STRESS THE PENGUINS, causing them to lose their sense of direction. When this happens, penguins may fail to return to their nests, meaning their chicks are not fed and can die from hunger. A short educational explanation before the parade would greatly improve understanding and compliance. If people truly understood the impact on the animals, many more would respect the rules.