Explore Australia Penguins & Wildlife Nature Experience

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A small group day tour from Melbourne to some of the region's most popular nature spots: Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, The Nobbies boardwalk and the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.

Days

Full day into the evening, about 11 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne
Melbourne, between 9pm and midnight depending on the month

Return

Melbourne, between 9pm and midnight depending on the month

Transport

Mini-coach from selected Melbourne pick-up points

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Explore Australia Penguins & Wildlife Nature Experience

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Included experiences

Moonlit Sanctuary — koalas, kangaroos and Tasmanian devils
The Nobbies — clifftop boardwalks and Seal Rocks views
Phillip Island Nature Parks — visitor centre
Summerland Beach — the Penguin Parade at sunset

Explore Australia Penguins & Wildlife Nature Experience

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE MORNING: MOONLIT SANCTUARY

Leaving central Melbourne late morning in winter or around midday in summer, your first stop is Moonlit Sanctuary at Pearcedale, a wildlife conservation park in the bush near Western Port. Walk the Wallaby Walk with kangaroos and wallabies around your feet, then look for koalas, reptiles and Tasmanian devils. The devils deserve a long look: wild numbers in Tasmania have fallen sharply since a contagious facial tumour disease was first seen in 1996. Entry is included, and for a small extra fee you can book a closer encounter with a koala.

AFTERNOON: COWES

Over the bridge at San Remo you cross onto Phillip Island and continue to Cowes, the island's main town, named after the yachting town on England's Isle of Wight. Walk the pier and the Esplanade, where there are cafés, restaurants, a microbrewery and small shops. Meals aren't included, so this is a good time to buy lunch or an early dinner. Cowes faces north onto Western Port, which is why its beach is calm and sheltered, quite unlike the surf beaches on the island's Bass Strait side.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE NOBBIES

At the island's western tip, The Nobbies boardwalk follows the clifftops above Bass Strait, past Point Grant. Offshore lies Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals, and on a big swell the blowhole below the boardwalk throws spray into the air. Look for Cape Barren geese grazing on the headland; once among the rarest geese in the world, they are common here again. From late September to April, short-tailed shearwaters nest in burrows in the grass after flying in from the North Pacific.

DUSK: THE PENGUIN PARADE

At the Phillip Island Nature Parks visitor centre you learn about the research and conservation work on the island before heading out. As the light fades you take your place on the viewing stands above Summerland Beach. Little penguins are the smallest penguins in the world, about 33 cm tall, and after a day fishing at sea they gather in small rafts just offshore until it is dark enough to risk the dash across the sand to their burrows. Phillip Island's colony is the largest anywhere. Keep an eye out too for swamp wallabies and eastern barred bandicoots near the boardwalks. You're back in Melbourne later on summer nights than in winter, because the penguins keep their own hours.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected pick-up locations in Melbourne.
Finishes: The return time follows the penguins' arrival: about midnight from November to February, 11pm in March, 10pm in April, 9pm from May to August, 9:30pm in September and 10:30pm in October.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Please note: No cameras of any kind, including phones, can be used at the Penguin Parade — the penguins' eyes are very sensitive to flashes. Photos are fine everywhere else.

What to bring

Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
Water bottle
Camera
Comfortable walking shoes
Warm, waterproof clothing — nights on the island can be cold in any season

What is included

National park fees
Entry to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
General entry to the Penguin Parade
Return transport from selected pick-up points
Tour guide

Not included

Lunch and dinner
Snacks and drinks
Close-up encounter with a koala or wallaby — small fee

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

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 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.

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)

Visiting from Ireland, we did the Penguin Parade with Moonlit Sanctuary on our last full day of three weeks in Melbourne. Our guide Brooke was phenomenal and knowledgeable, and even helped us spot penguins burrowed at the roundabout by Nobbies Beach. A tour we'll never forget.

Aoife O'Malley Verified· Travelled 13th October 2026

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(5/5)

A well organised trip with Stuart, a knowledgeable guide. It was great getting closer to the animals at the sanctuary, and the penguin parade was amazing, with everything we hoped to see despite the crowds.

Claire Verified· Travelled 4th October 2026

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