From Melbourne: Penguins and Wildlife Nature Day Tour

The evening’s main event is the little penguins racing from the surf toward their burrows on Phillip Island. You watch from the Penguin Parade’s viewing areas, then can follow the boardwalks to see the birds closer to shore as they make their way inland.

I like the mix of close wildlife encounters at Moonlit Sanctuary and wide-open coastal views at The Nobbies. I also like that the tour bundles transport, park entry and a guide into one day, which makes a car-free visit to Phillip Island much easier to plan.

The main trade-off is the length: this is a 12-hour outing, with long drives and a late finish after the penguins come ashore. The Nobbies stop is only about 20 minutes, and the parade can feel crowded or cold, especially if the weather turns.

The day in five useful points

• Moonlit Sanctuary gets two hours: See Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles and Tasmanian devils. Wallaby feed costs extra.
• The Nobbies is a quick coastal stop: Allow about 20 minutes for the clifftop boardwalks and views toward Seal Rocks and Bass Strait.
• The penguins are the finale: General entry to the Penguin Parade is included, with about 1.5 hours for viewing.
• The schedule covers a lot of ground: Expect roughly 12 hours from Melbourne and several hours on the road.
• You need to bring your own meals and drinks: Neither is included. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
• Guides shape the day: Guides such as Gary, Alan, Gina and LeeLee have been praised for clear commentary, local tips and a relaxed group atmosphere.

A full day from Melbourne to Phillip Island

This tour links three different kinds of wildlife and scenery in one long loop: a wildlife park, a rugged coast and a sunset penguin viewing. It is a practical choice if you do not have a car or prefer not to manage the route and evening drive yourself.

The trip begins at one of three Melbourne pickup points: Her Majesty’s Theatre, Regent Theatre or Mercure Melbourne Southbank. Arrive at least 10 minutes early and look for the purple bus or a vehicle marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so choose the meeting point that best fits your plans.

The drive to Moonlit Sanctuary takes about an hour. Later transfers are longer, including around 1.5 hours to reach The Nobbies and about two hours on the return to Melbourne after the parade. Those stretches are part of the deal: Phillip Island is not just around the corner, and a guided coach removes the need to drive back after dark.

The group format can also make the day feel more personal than a large coach excursion. The exact group size is not specified, so do not assume a particular number of seats. What you can expect is a guide who handles the transport and timing, while you get time to explore the main stops independently.

Two hours among Australian animals at Moonlit Sanctuary

Moonlit Sanctuary is the day’s most hands-on stop. The two-hour visit gives you time to see native animals at the wildlife park, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles and Tasmanian devils. The chance to feed wallabies is a particular draw, but the feed is not included and requires a small extra fee.

You may also find opportunities to get close to a koala or wallaby, though those encounters should not be treated as guaranteed or included in the base fare. One visitor described paying extra to pet a koala and finding it worthwhile. Check the available options and costs when you arrive rather than assuming every close encounter comes with admission.

I like that the stop is not only a quick photo break. With two hours, you have time to wander and may be able to attend a keeper talk, which one visitor specifically recommended. The park is smaller than some large zoos, so if you expect a huge range of species, keep your expectations measured. Its appeal is the chance to encounter familiar Australian animals at closer range.

The visit is largely your own time rather than a tightly guided walk. That gives you flexibility, but it also means you should keep an eye on the meeting time. If feeding wallabies is high on your list, ask your guide how to fit it in without missing other parts of the park.

The Nobbies: big sea views, short stop

After the sanctuary, the tour heads toward the coast and The Nobbies. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough to take in the clifftop boardwalks and views across Bass Strait toward the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. On a clear day, the exposed shoreline is a striking change from the sheltered paths at Moonlit Sanctuary.

The boardwalks give you a good vantage point without requiring a long walk. Keep an eye out for the blowhole, which may be active, but it is a possibility rather than a scheduled show. The coast is also a place to watch for wildlife, including seabirds and, if conditions are favorable, penguins near their burrows.

Here, the short timing matters. You can enjoy the main lookout and take photos, but this is not a long coastal walk. If you want more time to explore, this schedule may feel brisk. Cape Woolamai surf beach may be included if time allows, but it is not a guaranteed stop, so treat it as a bonus rather than a core part of the day.

Waiting for the Penguin Parade

The tour then continues to the Penguin Parade, where little penguins return from the ocean to their burrows after sunset. Phillip Island is home to the world’s largest little penguin colony, and the birds can be watched from viewing platforms and boardwalks every night of the year.

The viewing takes about 1.5 hours, though much of the memorable action happens after dark. You watch the penguins dash across the sand and then make their way toward their nests. Once you leave the beach viewing area, the boardwalks offer another chance to see them at closer range as they pass nearby. Keep your eyes open for their interactions around the burrows, which can include greeting neighbors, mating and caring for chicks.

The Penguin Parade is a wildlife encounter, not a staged performance. The number of birds you see can vary, and the viewing areas can be busy. One visitor found the parade overcrowded, while others described it as the highlight of the day. That contrast is worth keeping in mind: the setting and sight of the penguins are special, but the experience is shared with other people.

If a closer view matters to you, check whether a Penguin Plus ticket upgrade is available when you book. It is not included in the general entry price. A visitor who chose it said the designated viewing area put them much closer to hundreds of penguins, but your experience will depend on availability and the conditions on the night.

After the penguins head inland, the boardwalks let you continue watching them in their natural habitat. You might also spot other local animals, including swamp wallabies, Eastern barred bandicoots, Cape Barren geese and short-tailed shearwaters. Flash photography is not allowed, so leave the camera flash off and give the wildlife space.

Guides, transport and the value of the fare

At $105 per person, the tour’s value rests on the three included entries and the transport between Melbourne, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island. National Park fees, admission to Moonlit Sanctuary and general Penguin Parade entry are included, as is round-trip transport from the selected pickup point. Paying separately for each part and organizing the return journey would take more planning, especially after sunset.

The guide is more than a driver on a day with so much time on the road. Guides including Gary, Alan, Gina, LeeLee, Peter and Lachie have been singled out for wildlife facts, local history, friendly conversation and practical suggestions. Gina, for example, has shared commentary on Indigenous peoples and early European settlement as well as wildlife. Alan has been praised for helping the group stay comfortable on a hot day, while other guides have offered advice on food stops and lookout points.

Those details can make the long transfers feel like part of the outing rather than dead time. Still, the precise commentary and any extra stops depend on the guide and the day. The schedule’s core attractions are the sanctuary, The Nobbies and the parade; do not count on an unlisted detour.

The $105 price does not cover wallaby feed, lunch, dinner or drinks. If you need to eat, plan ahead rather than assuming a meal is built into the tour. Some guides have offered food recommendations, but the tour does not promise a particular meal stop. A Penguin Plus upgrade, if offered, is another possible added cost.

What to bring, and what the day feels like

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and bring a layer suitable for the evening. The tour operates rain or shine, and the coastal stop and parade involve time outdoors. A visitor caught in rain at the viewing platform found the wait uncomfortable, while another wished they had brought a blanket for the evening. A warm layer is sensible even if Melbourne feels mild when you leave.

The schedule is full, but it includes time to explore at the stops rather than keeping you beside the guide throughout. Expect to spend much of the day sitting on the bus, then walking at Moonlit Sanctuary, along The Nobbies boardwalks and around the penguin viewing areas. The return to Melbourne follows the evening wildlife viewing, so this is not a good choice if you need an early night.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available departure time before booking, since the penguin viewing is tied to sunset and the tour lasts about 12 hours.

FAQ

What is included in the $105 price?

The price includes round-trip transport from a selected Melbourne pickup point, an English-speaking guide, National Park fees, entry to Moonlit Sanctuary and general entry to the Penguin Parade.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Lunch, dinner and drinks are not included. Wallaby feed at Moonlit Sanctuary also costs extra.

Where does the tour pick up in Melbourne?

You can choose Her Majesty’s Theatre, Regent Theatre or Mercure Melbourne Southbank. Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure and look for the purple bus or a vehicle marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo.

Can I feed a wallaby or get close to a koala?

Wallaby feeding is available for a small extra fee. Close encounters with a koala or wallaby may be possible, but they are not included in the standard tour price.

Is Penguin Plus entry included?

No. General entry to the Penguin Parade is included. Penguin Plus is an optional upgrade if available, and costs extra.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour runs rain or shine. Bring comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather, including a warm layer for the evening.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want to see Australian wildlife and Phillip Island’s penguins in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself. It is especially useful for a first visit to Melbourne, a solo outing, or a tight schedule, and the included entries help make the $105 fare good value.

Skip it if you want long walks at The Nobbies, a quiet or private penguin viewing, or a relaxed day with plenty of unscheduled time. The strongest reason to go is the combination: wallabies and koalas up close, coastal views, and little penguins coming ashore after sunset. Just pack for the weather, budget for food and extras, and be ready for a long ride home.