Bunyip Tours Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ultimate Eco tour

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A 12 hour wildlife day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island, with Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies and Seal Rocks, and the nightly Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach.

Days

12 hours, into the evening

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 24

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne
Melbourne, 9pm to 12:15am depending on season

Return

Melbourne, 9pm to 12:15am depending on season

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach with a guide, Melbourne hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Bunyip Tours Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ultimate Eco tour

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Included experiences

Moonlit Sanctuary — guided tour and kangaroo feeding
Cape Woolamai — surf beach (time permitting in winter)
The Nobbies — coastal views
Seal Rocks — fur seal colony
Summerland Beach — Penguin Parade

Bunyip Tours Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ultimate Eco tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO MOONLIT SANCTUARY

Your guide collects you from your Melbourne hotel in the late morning and heads south-east to Pearcedale, on the edge of the Mornington Peninsula. At Moonlit Sanctuary, a wildlife conservation park that breeds rare animals such as quolls, a guided tour takes you through the bushland exhibits to meet koalas, wombats, gliders and birds of prey. You can hand-feed the free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies (food is sold at the sanctuary), and, for an extra cost, have a close encounter with a koala. Lunch is usually here, from the sanctuary's café or a packed lunch of your own.

AFTERNOON: PHILLIP ISLAND

Over the bridge at San Remo and onto Phillip Island. In summer you'll call at Cape Woolamai, whose granite headland is the island's highest point and a breeding ground for short-tailed shearwaters, which fly in each spring from the North Pacific. The Southern Ocean swell here is powerful, and dolphins and seals are often seen offshore. At the island's south-west tip, the boardwalk at The Nobbies looks out to Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals, many thousands strong. On a windy day, watch the blowhole send spray high into the air.

EVENING: THE PENGUIN PARADE

Dinner is at your own cost: in summer in the township of Cowes, in winter at the café at the Penguin Parade. Then, at Summerland Beach, you take your seat as the light goes. Little penguins, the smallest penguins in the world at about 33 centimetres tall, come ashore after a day at sea and waddle up the beach in small groups to their burrows in the dunes. On many nights hundreds arrive. Cameras stay away after sunset, which keeps the night about the penguins. For an extra cost you can upgrade to Penguins Plus, a closer viewing area, or the underground viewing window at beach level.

NIGHT: BACK TO MELBOURNE

Before you leave, the visitor centre tells the story of the penguins and the work to protect them. Then it's the drive back to Melbourne, arriving late in the evening, the exact time depending on the season.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected hotels in Melbourne; your pick-up details are on your booking confirmation. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Finishes: Back in Melbourne between 9pm and 12:15am, depending on the season.
Fitness: Only a small amount of walking is involved, so no significant level of fitness is needed.
Please note: Photography is not allowed at the Penguin Parade after sunset, for the penguins' well-being. Choose any penguin viewing upgrade when booking. Tours are in English, with recorded tour information in 16 languages through a free app. The tour runs rain or shine.
Cancellation: Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour receive a full refund.

What to bring

Clothes for the weather, with light clothing and warm layers
Comfortable walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
Snacks
Phone, and a power bank (there is no charging on the bus or at many stops)
Card or money for lunch, dinner and other purchases
Headphones for the audio guide app

What is included

Select hotel pick-ups and drop-offs within Melbourne City
Air-conditioned touring vehicle with upgraded seats
Experienced guide
Entry ticket to Moonlit Sanctuary
Standard viewing at the Penguin Parade
Onboard wifi
Audio guide app in 16 languages

Not included

Meals and drinks — there are meal stops, or bring your own food
Kangaroo and wallaby food (sold at Moonlit Sanctuary)
Koala encounters (sold on the day at Moonlit Sanctuary — tell your guide if you're interested)
Penguins Plus upgrade: an exclusive up-close viewing area with limited capacity
Penguins Plus Underground upgrade: close-up viewing through an underground window, indoors and sheltered (subject to availability)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Our guide Jaimes was passionate and knowledgeable on the Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Penguin Parade tour. I learned a lot about wildlife conservation, enjoyed his quizzes and stories, and it was one of the highlights of my trip.

fish Wan Verified· Travelled 28th September 2026

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(5/5)

A family day trip to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade. Kevin was kind and knowledgeable about Melbourne's history and the animals at the wildlife sanctuary, and his tips on where to sit and look made the parade a real highlight.

Gonen Frim Verified· Travelled 19th August 2026

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