Tips For A Good Experience on Phillip Island

Phillip Island is one of my favourite places in the world, and also a must-do day trip if you’re visiting Melbourne. I’ve had the privilege of seeing some really spectacular views in my life but none can compare to the views that Phillip Island offers. Just taking a walk down the Nobbies boardwalk can make me feel so free and at peace at the same time.

Just look at this view and imagine your worries washing away with each crashing wave

Two things are touted as de rigueur when it comes to Phillip Island:

1) the Nobbies boardwalk, and

2) the world famous Penguin Parade

If you don’t have enough time to see everything, make time for just these two!

However, describing this as a half-day itinerary may be slightly misleading. Phillip Island is around a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, and the Penguin Parade only begins after sunset. Treat it as an afternoon and evening excursion at minimum, or spend the full day on the island if you would like to include more attractions.

I originally travelled with The Little Penguin Bus, a small-group tour company that made a considerable difference to my experience. The operator still advertises Phillip Island tours, although its itineraries, vehicle sizes, prices and inclusions may have changed since my trip. Check the latest details before booking.

Day tour or self-drive?

If you intend to go on a full-day tour, I recommend choosing a smaller bus. Smaller groups generally mean:

• Less waiting for fellow travellers to finish their activities

• More time at each sightseeing spot

• More personalised commentary from your guide

• An overall richer experience

Smaller tour groups may also be able to move between stops more efficiently. On my trip, I still had time to browse the souvenir shop before leaving Phillip Island at around 9pm.

Do not assume that every small-group tour follows the same schedule, however. Check the advertised departure and return times, the number of passengers and whether your selected Penguin Parade ticket is included.

If you’re planning to self-drive, plot your route ahead of time so you know how long each journey should take. The designated driver should also be comfortable driving in darkness, as it will be night by the time you leave the Penguin Parade.

Allow around 20 additional minutes to drive from the bridge at the entrance of Phillip Island to the Penguin Parade. Take extra care after dusk, when wildlife is especially active on and beside the roads.

Public transport is possible but inconvenient for an evening visit. V/Line services travel from Melbourne towards Cowes, but the bus does not continue to the Penguin Parade, and there is no suitable return service to Melbourne once the parade ends. Travellers without a car should therefore arrange a tour, taxi or other transport in advance.

I remember travelling with a large tour group as a child and being hurried from one stop to another. I could rarely hear the guide at the attractions, which made the experience feel less personal. This is why I now prefer smaller tours where possible.

When to go?

Image credit: The 3B’s

I’ve visited the Penguin Parade and The Nobbies twice. Both attractions are located on Phillip Island’s Summerland Peninsula. The Nobbies is not “on the way to Phillip Island”, as the original version of this article suggested.

The first time I visited was on a Sunday, and it was extremely crowded.

Things to consider when deciding when to go

• Try to visit on a weekday, when the crowds may be more manageable than on weekends.

• Weekdays can still be busy during school holidays, public holidays and the peak period between mid-December and late January. Book ahead regardless of the day you choose.

• Consider the season. During winter, the sun sets earlier, so the penguins also begin arriving earlier.

• During summer, sunset can be considerably later, but this does not mean it is always safe to leave Melbourne at the last minute. Traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends and during holiday periods.

• Check the official penguin arrival calendar and plan to reach the visitor centre around one hour before the estimated arrival time. Underground ticket holders are generally advised to arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand, while guided experiences have their own stated meeting times.

Buying tickets for the Penguin Parade

The first time I visited, I bought a General Viewing ticket. From where I was seated, I struggled to get a clear view once the area filled up.

General Viewing currently starts from A$34 for adults and provides tiered seating overlooking Summerland Beach. Bookings are essential, and seating may be limited during the busiest summer periods.

I was determined to have a better experience on my next visit. After reading several positive reviews of Penguins Plus, I decided to choose this option.

It was worth the additional cost. I sat near one of the penguins’ regular pathways and watched them emerge from the water before making their way towards their burrows. Although the ocean wind was cold, the view held my attention throughout the experience.

Penguins Plus now starts from A$93 and uses tiered seating beside one of the colony’s busiest penguin pathways. Prices can change, so check the official booking page before publishing or planning your trip.

Visitors who prefer a sheltered view can choose Underground Viewing. Tickets currently start from A$103 and provide an eye-level view through a glass panel as the penguins pass along what is sometimes called the “penguin highway”.

Other current options include Penguins Premium, guided tours, a family wildlife tour and the Ultimate Adventure Tour. These have different minimum ages, fitness requirements, arrival times and viewing arrangements. The Ultimate Adventure Tour, rather than the standard guided tour, is the option that takes participants to a secluded beach away from the main parade.

Whichever ticket you choose, remember that revenue from Phillip Island Nature Parks’ visitor attractions supports its conservation, research and education work.

At the Penguin Parade

The viewing areas face the open ocean, so there is very little protection from cold wind and changing weather.

The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre currently opens from noon daily and has a café, retail area and toilets. The penguins arrive shortly after sunset.

At any time of year, consider bringing the following:

1. A warm, windproof jacket with another layer underneath

2. A scarf or jacket with a high collar

3. A beanie or other warm headwear

4. Covered shoes and comfortable socks

5. Gloves if your hands get cold easily

6. A waterproof outer layer if rain is forecast

Even summer evenings can become cold once the wind arrives from Bass Strait. Do not rely solely on the daytime temperature shown in Melbourne’s weather forecast.

Some tour companies may provide blankets, but this should be confirmed directly rather than assumed. Bring your own warm clothing even if the tour advertises additional cold-weather equipment.

Things to note during the actual viewing:

• Be patient and follow the instructions given by the rangers. Avoid standing unnecessarily or blocking the view of the people behind you.

• Photography and video recording are not permitted after sunset. This applies even when the flash has been switched off, as an accidental flash can affect the penguins.

• Arrive at the time recommended on your ticket. Do not rely on turning up late simply because penguins may continue coming ashore after the first groups appear. Missing the main arrival period could significantly reduce what you see.

• Keep noise to a minimum and remain within the designated visitor areas.

• Do not touch, feed or approach the penguins.

• Everyone attending, including infants, requires a ticket. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

What else besides penguins?

The Nobbies

The spot of the majestic blowhole at the Nobbies

I’ve mentioned the Nobbies boardwalk a couple of times above, and this is really a must-visit spot if you’re going to Phillip Island. Again, consider going on a weekday, because lesser crowds mean more breathing space!

The boardwalks and car park are currently open. However, The Nobbies Centre, café and toilets are closed while works are underway. Use the facilities at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre before or after your visit.

The Boulevard between The Nobbies and the Penguin Parade remains open to moving traffic, but parking along this coastal road is not permitted.

Weather conditions can change quickly, so allow enough time to enjoy the boardwalk without rushing back to your vehicle.

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

We stopped at Moonlit Sanctuary on the way to the Penguin Parade. The sanctuary is in Pearcedale on the mainland, around 50 minutes southeast of central Melbourne, rather than on Phillip Island itself. It is best treated as a stop along the driving route.

This is a delightful place for animal lovers, with more than 70 Australian species. Visitors may see koalas, wombats, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, reptiles and native birds.

Kangaroos and wallabies can be fed in designated areas using food purchased from the sanctuary. Do not give them outside food. Additional encounters and guided experiences may require separate reservations.

The sanctuary currently opens from 9.30am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm, and bookings are required. Make sure the timing fits your itinerary before combining it with a late-afternoon journey to Phillip Island.

Grumpy emu who must be tired of people peering at it all year round

And… that’s all for now!

Phillip Island remains the more complete experience for travellers who want to combine the penguins with dramatic coastal scenery and other wildlife attractions. Whether you join a tour or drive yourself, plan the timing carefully, reserve your ticket early and prepare for the cold. Then, take a moment to enjoy the island for what it is.