- 1 DAY
- PRICE $ 129 AUD
- DEPARTS 11:45 WINTER / 13:45 SUMMER
- RETURNS 21:45 WINTER / 23:45 SUMMER
Join us on our Phillip Island tour, where you will experience the sweetest Australian animals in their late-night return home—the Penguin Parade and much more! Our Phillip Island Tour highlights native wildlife, coastal scenery, and uncovers wonders of nature. This day trip is perfect for nature lovers and families alike, as we offer expert guides, air-conditioned transport, and a range of extraordinary activities!
Highlights
- See the world-famous Penguin Parade
- Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve
- Explore The Nobbies and Seal Rocks for incredible views
- Take a walk through Cowes coastal town
- Find out about Phillip Island Nature Parks and its diverse fauna
- Discover rugged coastline and sandy beaches after sunset
Tour Details
- Tour Code: PI-B
- Operates: Daily
- Departure Times:
- 1:45 pm (October to March)
- 11:45 am (April to September)
- Return Times:
- 11:45 pm (October to March)
- 9:45 pm (April to September)
- Duration: 9.5 hours
- World-class wildlife encounters
- General viewing entry to the Penguin Parade
- Entry to the Koala Conservation Reserve
- Hosted by an experienced driver guide
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Tour Reviews
10/10 day, fantastic tour guide, unforgettable experience! We had an amazing day with Peter, our tour guide. He gave us ample time at every stop for our experience. He had an amazing sense of humour - we especially loved driving along the coast, seeing the wallabies and geese while the Jurassic Park theme played! He was also so knowledgeable and could answer any questions we asked of him. Seeing the little penguins was a once in a lifetime experience and I would recommend this tour 100%. Thank you Peter and Autopia tours for an unforgettable experience! ⭐️
Book with Anthony for Phillip Island - Koala Conservation and Penguin Parade! I was in town with my friend for the USA NFL game (Los Angeles RAMS vs San Francisco 49ers) and booked the Koala & Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Anthony was GREAT! Calm, informative on the plan for each section, and provided wildlife facts, details and sound effects! Each stop was perfectly timed, allowing enough time to see the purpose of each trip (koalas sleeping and eating to beautiful boardwalk views of southeast Phillip Island and finally arrived early for dinner before seeing the penguin parade! Ant-man had us prepared, on-time if not early to each location, and safely traveled us from Melbourne and through Phillip Island. Helped that the day was gorgeous for it being wintertime! Highly recommend!! - Beth & Rane
Excellent wildlife tour Wonderful tour! Anthony provided excellent organization. He shared his expertise about Phillip Island which really enriched our experience. Besides penguins and koalas we saw wallabies, grey geese, a wedge tail eagle, a bandicoot, an echidna, and a possum. Penguin plus viewing is well worth the extra cost for seeing penguins exit the sea and following them along the boardwalk as they find their homes.
Wonderful experience! Awesome tour guide! Anthony was very knowledgeable about both the animals we encountered and Australia. He made the 10 hour experience fun! The tour consisted of a small group of about 20 people. The tour bus was clean and comfortable. We had a wonderful time exploring the koala sanctuary, Philip Island penguin parade and a bonus lookout spot along the water. It was a bit chilly, so bring a coat! Loved this experience and would recommend!
Wonderful Island Day Experience Had a fantastic day out to Phillip Island with guide and driver Lauren who was excellent at both. Perfect amount of information to process and highly personable chat too. Koalas were adorable and was able to get very close to them. The little penguins experience was amazing - highly recommend the ‘penguin plus’ option if possible. Thank you for a great time.
Great tour Fiona was an excellent driver and guide. Penguin viewing was incredible - fabulous day!
Great Penguin evening We got to see cute penguins at close range with the Penguin Plus. Chris (Kiwi) was a great guide. Wifi and charging points on bus was a plus.
Great day trip! Wonderful guide and great tour! Our guide was GREAT, he drove the bus safely while explaining our itinerary and the sites. He gave us great tips on how to make the most of our day. The Penguin Plus seating was worth the extra money. The penguin viewing was completely sold out on the night we went and the "plus" seating helped us get the best views. Make sure to bring warm gear, be prepared to sit outside.
Highly recommended It was a great trip, loved the koala reserve and penguin parade. Kiwi was super helpful and his tips helped get an amazing view. Thank you team.
Melbourne wildlife in family The penguin experience was amazing. The guide was really nice and the koalas part was really surprising. All the tour was amazing. I will repeat it for sure
Well worth the trip! We really enjoyed our tour. Kiwi was a great tour guide and provided excellent commentary along our trip. He was friendly, helpful, and professional. The tour bus was comfortable, and the stops were all worthwhile. We saw tons of koalas and penguins. We’re glad to have brought warm clothes (including hat and gloves) for the penguin viewing, as it was pretty chilly. The tour was definitely worth the money, and I would highly recommend it.
Fun trip to see koalas & penguins Great trip to Phillips Island to see koalas (@ Koala Conservation site) & Penguin Park. Pick-up spot was easy to locate and tour bus arrived on time. Hosted by Joel, the trip was informative and fun. We stopped for lunch - trying sausage rolls and several types of pies, plus fancy donuts. The Koala Conservation Center had elevated boardwalks that meandered through the canopy where we spotted 8 koalas, getting very close to several (nice photo op). tour stopped at the Nobbies at the tip of Phillip Island - windy with dramatic views of the coast line and we also spotted several penguin burrows. Last stop was the Penguin Park - dinner and boardwalk through the hills leading to the water. Penguins leave the water after sundown. Seating gave us a reasonable view, although some folks around us had trouble remembering to sit down. Walking back along the boardwalk we spotted multiple groups of penguins walking through the vegetation on the way to their burrows.
Fab day out A fab experience with the perfect amount of time at the koala conservation centre before heading to see the penguins. Joel was very informative at the right level for adults and children.
Road trip to the penguins! Really enjoyable tour to go and see the penguins on Philip Island. Joel was our tour guide and was really informative and personable with a great mix of facts about the local area but also some time for quiet reflection/viewing the scenery. Plenty of upfront information on when and where we'd stop, the food options and facilities available, and clear notice on when to come back to the bus to head onwards. We loved the koala conservation sanctuary and seeing the Nobbies (and a few bonus penguins there!) before heading onto the penguin parade. Again, clear communication on when to come back to a lovely warm bus and back to Melbourne. Would absolutely recommend, it's been one of the highlights of our holiday.
Well worth a visit The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island was a wonderful experience and one we would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Melbourne. Watching the little penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset and make their way across the beach to their burrows was something we’ll remember for a long time. The whole experience is very well organised, with excellent viewing areas and knowledgeable staff helping visitors appreciate the importance of protecting this unique wildlife. One piece of advice for anyone booking tickets: we chose the VIP Underground Viewing experience, but in hindsight we don’t feel it offered enough extra value over the Premier Viewing tickets. The Premier option provides an excellent view, and we think it offers the best balance of experience and value. If we visited again, we’d happily choose Premier Viewing. Overall, this was a fantastic wildlife experience and a real highlight of our time in Victoria. It’s a must-do if you’re travelling to Melbourne or the surrounding area.
Real animals and view Penguins are very cute. The natural scenery was beautiful, and seeing koalas and penguins up close was an unforgettable experience. I’d never seen them that close before.
Wonderful Phillip Island Experience We had a fantastic day on Phillip Island with Fiona. Her knowledge of the local wildlife and passion for nature made the tour both informative and enjoyable. The highlight was the Penguin Parade, which was a truly unique experience.
Unforgettable Incredible experience that won’t be forgotten. Our guide Fiona was fantastic and very knowledgeable and the amazing views, koalas and in particular the penguins is definitely worth seeing.
Lots of fun on this trip!! The penguins are adorable and it is so fun to watch for them coming out of the surf and heading to their burrows. Highly recommend upgrading to the premium plus as they waddle right by you!! Please note there is no photography after the sun goes down (do not be that person they have to remind to put your camera away and annoy your neighbors 😡). Also children under 12 aren’t supposed to be allowed in the premium area (please don’t lie, the children under 5 who were there had a hard time sitting still when nothing was happening (again don’t annoy your neighbors). Getting there was nice, the driver was knowledgeable and passionate about the koala conservation as well as the penguins. Enjoyed the stop to see the koalas and the Nobbies and the drive along the waters edge was beautiful. To Autopia: Would highly recommend that this tour just stop in the Aldi parking lot in Cowes and let people get food then take them to the beach to eat or raise the price and pass out a sack lunch. Too many options allowed people to be late returning which made our stop at the Nobbies to be shorter.
Highly recommend! What an amazing trip! Our guide/driver/experience guru, Fiona, was outstanding! She is friendly, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable. I upgraded to the premium penguin viewing and it was absolutely worth it! I have friends coming to Australia later this year and I will definitely recommend they take this excursion!
A Melbourne holiday highlight Fiona set a perfect tone from the pickup that we were going to have a great day and boy did we ever! So fun and informative! We saw koalas, penguins and more. So glad we did this tour.
Great time with Kiwi and the wildlife This tour was a lot of fun. Our guide Kiwi was entertaining ang knowledgable. He also managed to squeeze in an extra stop for us. The koala conservation site and the nobbies were highlights. The penguins were super cute as expected
Great tour, great guide! Joel was fantastic! Great tour and tour guide. We saw koalas at the reserve and we loved the penguin parade! The penguin parade was worth the ticket alone. There were 3 opportunities to buy food and use the restrooms. Joel is very knowledgeable and very friendly.
Nice day at Philip Island Thanks to Joel (our guide) for a very informative and well organised trip. Got some good pictures at the Nobbies and saw a lot of penguins at Philip Island (sat in the general viewing area at the front).
Great day out! This was a great day out! Joel was a fantastic driver and host, he was so informative and kind! Really recommend! The Penguin Parade can get quite chilly so I suggest bringing an extra jumper!
Penguins parade was an amazing experience, a must see when visiting Melbourne! Fiona is a great guide, she explained really well about the trip and also gave us a lot of useful tips to make our trip an amazing experience… The whole tour, seeing the koalas, the short stop for photos at the noobies, and especially the main attraction seeing the penguins parade was absolutely amazing!
Great day out Fiona brought us to Philip Island and our family had a great day. It was a very nice experience seeing all the penguins and koalas!
Fantastic Philip Island Daytrip! We had a wonderful day trip to Phillip Island, including visits to the Koala Reserve and the famous Penguin Parade. The entire experience was well-organised, enjoyable, and perfect for visitors wanting to experience some of Victoria’s unique wildlife. A special thank you to our tour guide, Anthony, who was friendly, warm, and incredibly accommodating throughout the trip. He shared interesting information along the way, made everyone feel welcome, and was always happy to answer questions. Anthony also gave excellent recommendations on how to make the most of the Penguin Parade experience, His tips really enhanced the experience and helped make the evening unforgettable.
Autopia Tours Melbourne, best tour company ever... Today I had the privilege of seeing the penguins for my second time in 2years. This time I chose to go with Autopia Tours and I'm glad I did. Our driver who unfortunately I cannot remember his name, was totally amazing. His knowledge that he shared was awesome and I feel like I know a lot more about Phillip island and it's history, the animals and especially the penguins. I can definitely recommend Autopia Tours in Melbourne for tours. (I went on the Penguins parade tour on the Friday 29th May 2026. If can find his name from that Autopia Tours, he needs a huge thankyou from me)

What you can actually see




























































Full Itinerary
The Grand Finale: Phillip Island Penguin Viewing
As dusk envelopes the horizon, gear up for the Penguin Spectacle. Little Penguins only emerge post-sunset, ensuring aerial predators don’t spot them. The Penguin Spectacle maintains a strict no-photography policy from this juncture. This protects the Little Penguins’ sensitive vision and ensures they remain undisturbed. We at Great Ocean Road Tour wholeheartedly back this. Absorb the awe of this natural marvel without the quest for the ‘ultimate snapshot’. Immerse in the moment! Considering the Great Ocean Road as another pit stop? Pair it with this journey for a two-day adventure. Let us manage the logistics while you savour the experience.
Additional information
Inclusions
- Penguin Parade general viewing entry
- Admission into Koala Conservation Reserve
- World-class wildlife encounter up close
- Hosted by an experienced driver guide
- Modern air-conditioned coach travel
- Comprehensive local tour commentary
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Pickup Times And locations
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 11:45 winter / 13:45 summer.
Please arrive at your designated pickup location 5–10 minutes before the scheduled time to ensure the tour proceeds smoothly and on time. Here are the pickup times and locations:
- 11:05 or 13:05 : Pegasus Apartments Hotel, located at 206 A'Beckett Street in Melbourne
- 11:10 or 13:10 : Melbourne Marriott Hotel, situated at the corner of Exhibition Street and Lonsdale Street in Melbourne
- 11:15 or 13:15 : Space Hotel, found at 380 Russell Street in Melbourne
- 11:20 or 13:20 : Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Russell Street entrance in Melbourne
- 11:30 or 13:30 : Adina Apartment Hotel, located at 189 Queen Street in Melbourne
- 11:35 or 13:35 : The Savoy Hotel, situated at 630 Little Collins Street in Melbourne
- 11:45 or 13:45 : Immigration Museum, located at 400 Flinders Street, on the corner of Market Street in Melbourne
- 11:50 or 13:50 : Crown Towers - 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
If you are still looking for your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a comprehensive list of sites.
It is highly advisable to arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please remain calm and patient if your bus runs a few minutes behind schedule. If your bus has not arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled departure time, kindly contact our office at 03 9393 1300.
Discover the private tour groups! Reach out to our incredible charters team at [email protected] to unlock unforgettable adventures.
Pricing Options
Fare prices: $ 129 Adult (13+) / $ 119 Children (0-12)
To organise your own private tour of Phillip Island, contact our charters team at [email protected]. Follow our itinerary or customise your own it’s up to you. Enjoy the convenience of a pickup and drop off at your address and relax exploring new places with loved ones.
Need To Bring
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- The minimum age requirements for this tour is 6 years old. This trip is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
Check Availability & Book
FAQ
What time is the best time to view the Penguin Parade?
The best time to see these creatures is during sunset. Our tour departure times ensure that guests arrive on site early enough to observe this marvellous event.
Can someone in a wheelchair access the tour?
Yes, the tour is accessible to wheelchair users, and we will try our best to accommodate all our guests!
What should I bring for the tour?
It is advisable that you carry warm clothes, comfortable shoes for walking and a camera for taking photographs.
May I cancel my booking?
Definitely, you can. Nevertheless, refer to our cancellation policies that detail fees and notice period before travelling required in order to cancel one’s tour.
Will meals be provided during the trip?
No, however there are many opportunities where travellers can purchase food including from Cowes or Visitor Centre at different stopovers along the way.
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