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Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne

843 Reviews 4.86 out of 5 stars Based on 843 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 97% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Melbourne, Australia

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On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Offered in: English
and 10 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Cantonese

Overview

Take in the spectacular Phillip Island Penguin Parade as you watch the colony of Little Penguins crosses the shoreline from the ocean. Heading out to Penguin Parade, we begin our day at a Koala Reserve to meet some furry Australian favourites. Take a tour and get up close and personal with our native Australian wildlife. Travel to Phillip Island Nature Parks, known for its natural beauty, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and unique wildlife experiences. The island is home to a colony of around 32,000 little penguins. Phillip Island Tour is one of the popular and must-watch tourist attractions in Victoria.

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned premium coach travel and comfort
  • Comprehensive live commentary in a fun and social atmosphere
  • Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
  • Meals not included, guests will have an opportunity to support locals and buy lunch along the way.
  • Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
  • Travel insurance is highly recommended
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

400 Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Melbourne

Our coach will depart from Melbourne City and head southeast for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with our first stop being the Koala Conservation Reserve on Phillip Island.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Phillip Island Nature Parks - Koala Conservation Reserve

At the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island, guests will have 45 minutes to explore the lush surroundings and stroll along the elevated boardwalks that wind through the treetops. Here, you’ll have the chance to get up close to koalas in their natural habitat, spotting these iconic creatures as they rest in the eucalyptus trees. The knowledgeable staff will provide fascinating insights into the conservation efforts that protect these beloved animals. It's a peaceful and educational experience, offering fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Australia's wildlife.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cape Woolamai (pass by)

Phillip Island boasts a population of approximately 15,000 which is boosted during the busy tourist seasons. There are three main settlements being Cape Woolamai, New Haven & Cowes. Our stop at Cape Woolamai beach is seasonal subject to weather permitting and mostly visited during summer season.
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Cowes

During summer time we often make time to wander through the coastal township of Cowes. Sheltered alongside the calm Westernport Bay this township was named after Cowes on the Isle of White. Beautiful seaside scenery, unique stores to peak into and many nice restaurants to purchase food. This stop is only due to timing restrictions in winter as there are less hours of day light.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Nobbies Centre

Next, we arrive at the Nobbies Rocks where you can take a walk down the boardwalks to see the rocky coast and spot Penguins nesting in their burrows. Then we travel along the Phillip Island backroads through Phillip Island Penguin Habitat. Enjoy incredible views of the coastal cliffs on your way to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade

The main attraction of Phillip Island tour has always been the Little Penguins doing their daily ritual of penguin parade. These little friends are the smallest of its kind in the world. Enjoy sunset at the Visitor Information Centre and choose the right seat to have a great view of the main spectacles of the day — the Penguin Parade!
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Melbourne

After the Penguin Parade, we will begin our journey back to Melbourne, with the return time varying depending on the penguins' arrival time. As the penguins make their way back to their burrows, we’ll allow time to fully enjoy the experience before heading home. Please note, the timings for the day trip may vary to maximise the sunset experience, particularly in line with the time of year and daylight savings.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Child and infant fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Child protective seats are free of charge, subject to availability and must be requested at time of booking.
  • Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person. Our vehicles are not wheelchair, prams or child stroller accessible please refrain from bring on tour.
  • Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-6770P13

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.86
843 reviews

Average 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 843 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
763
4 stars
51
3 stars
19
2 stars
7
1 star
3

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Air-conditioned premium coach travel and comfort
  • Comprehensive live commentary in a fun and social atmosphere
  • Admission to Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve
  • Admission to Phillip Island Nature Park with Penguin Parade (general viewing)
  • Experienced local driver guide to assist you throughout the day
  • Meals not included, guests will have an opportunity to support locals and buy lunch along the way.
  • Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
  • Travel insurance is highly recommended
  • Personal expenses

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin.
  • Child and infant fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Child protective seats are free of charge, subject to availability and must be requested at time of booking.
  • Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person. Our vehicles are not wheelchair, prams or child stroller accessible please refrain from bring on tour.
  • Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 38 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
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