If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids, be it as part of your upcoming holiday or simply an opportunity to get out of the city for the day, a Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour could be just what you are looking for. If your children are even remotely interested in wildlife, they will fall in love with the wonder of this picturesque island.
Where is Phillip Island?
Phillip Island is just 135km south-east of Melbourne, dividing Western Port Bay and Bass Strait. Connected to the mainland by a road bridge, Phillip Island is just 20km long by about 10km wide. It is most famous for the incredible wildlife that call the island home, as well as the thrill and excitement that comes with the world championship 500cc and Superbike events.
What is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
Each evening, just as dusk rolls over the gentle surf at Phillip Island, as many as 700 little penguins waddle from the sea across the the beach to the safety of the sand dune burrows they call home. These tiny, majestic creatures are the world’s smallest penguins, and a Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour gives you the opportunity to view these special animals in their natural habitat.
The main penguin viewing area at Summerland Beach has tiered seating, providing a 180 degree view across the beach and out to the Bass Strait. From here you will watch as penguin after penguin arrives, waddles their way along the sand and finds a burrow to settle down in for the night. With the sun setting, igniting a fire in the sky that will take your breath away, the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is a truly magical experience.
What are the tour options?
Gray Line offers a multitude of tour options, meaning your day trip can be as busy or as chilled out as you desire.
Penguins Express – Tour 374 – If seeing the Penguin Parade is your sole purpose for travelling to Phillip Island, you may be interested in joining an evening tour. From September to April, the Penguins Express tour offers a basic evening package that takes you directly to the natural phenomenon of the Penguin Parade. Highlights include:
- Western Port – water birds and mangroves.
- Panoramic views of French Island.
- San Remo – maritime fishing village.
- Premium viewing position of the floodlit Summerland Beach.
- Entry to the Visitor Information Centre’s “Penguin Experience”.
- The opportunity to purchase food from the Penguin Parade restaurant.
- Souvenir gift.
- Complimentary drink.
Tour departs at 5:00pm and returns approximately 11:30pm. Adults: $139.00. Kids: $69.50
Penguin Parade with Penguin Plus – Tour 384 – As well as the highlights seen during the Penguins Express Tour, highlights include:
- Churchill Island afternoon tea.
- Opportunity to meet wallabies/kangaroos.
- Phillip Island Nature Park.
- Koala Conservation Centre.
- The Nobbies – a rugged rocky outcrop.
- Dinner stop prior to or following Penguin Parade
Tour departs 1:15pm and returns approximately 9:00pm. Adults: $153.00. Kids: $76.50
If making the most of the exciting activities Phillip Island has on offer tickles your fancy, why not try a full day tour?
Grand Penguins – Tour 366 – If it’s the ultimate wildlife experience you would like to offer your kids, this is the tour package for your family. As well as witness the phenomenon that is the Penguin Parade, your visit to the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park will see the kids getting up close and personal with some of Australia’s best loved creatures. Here your kids will meet koalas, kangaroos and emus see wombats, dingoes, Tasmanian devils and colourful birds and learn how best to protect these native animals.
Little ones will learn the art of sheep shearing, whip cracking and boomerang throwing at Churchill Island Heritage Farm, and can even try their hand at milking a cow! Churchill Island Farm is a fantastic opportunity to teach children about Victorias history and see what life would be like on a working farm.
The Grand Penguins tour is Phillip Island at it’s best. This tour is designed to give you the ultimate experience of Phillip Island and the spectacular Penguin Parade. Depending on the season, a dinner stop will be made either before the Penguin Parade or after.
Tour departs 10:00am and returns 9:00pm. Adults: $177.00. Children: $88.50
Tips for enjoying the Phillip Island Penguin Parade with Kids
- The penguins make their appearance as the sun sets. Visiting outside of daylight savings time will mean your children get an earlier night.
- Take a colouring book or an activity for children while they wait for the penguins to arrive.
- Take some snacks in case kids get hungry during the Parade.
- Rug up. Phillip Island can get very cold all year round, so take jackets, hats and wet weather gear.
- Take children to the toilet before you lead them to the viewing stands.
- Photograph your kids outside the visitor centre, as photography is not allowed at the Penguin Parade.
Author Bio: Gray Line offers a comprehensive range of half and full day premium sightseeing tours to Australia’s best sights and attractions. Please visit their website at www.grayline.com.au to see the full range of tours.