Melbourne: One-day tour of Penguin Parade Phillip Island + Centennial Farm + Koala Zoo
Highlights:
- Visit a modern dairy farm and observe the entire mechanized milking process
- Visit Maru Koala and Animal Park
- Continue to the western tip of Phillip Island and visit The Nobbies Centre, a rugged rocky headland with stunning coastal views.
- Cowes is located at the northern tip of Phillip Island and is the most populous town on the island. It has a charming village atmosphere and is home to a wide range of restaurants and bars. Cowes Beach and Pier offer beautiful views overlooking the tranquil waters of Western Port Bay, with the picturesque landscape of the Mornington Peninsula in the background.
- Watch the Little Penguins return to their nest after a day of foraging
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Product Info
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First, we will drive to a century-old farm (Caldermeade Farm), where the semi-mechanized milking every afternoon is a highlight of the tour. There are also many adorable farm animals waiting to be discovered. Here, you can also taste Jersey Cattle milk, known as the "Queen of Milk" and the "LV of Milk," famous worldwide for its rich aroma, thick texture, and distinctive pale yellow color.
Afterwards, we'll visit the Maroo Koala and Zoo (at your own expense). Here you can see koalas, wombats, crocodiles, kangaroos, Australian birds, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, dingoes, emus, and more. You can also spend an additional 2-3 AUD to buy some pet food and hand-feed the lazy little kangaroos.
Afterwards, we traveled to Cowes, located at the northern tip of Phillip Island, the island's most densely populated town. It boasts a charming rural atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants and bars. Cowes Beach and Marina offer stunning views of the calm waters of West Harbour, with the picturesque Mornington Peninsula in the background.
Continuing westward to the western end of Phillip Island, we arrive at the Nobis Centre, a rugged rocky outcrop offering stunning coastal views. The landscape surrounding the Nobis Centre is teeming with colorful birdlife. Many species nest and forage on the cliffs, so keep your eyes peeled!
Every evening after sunset, a delightful surprise unfolds. Tiny penguins swim back to the shore from the sea. From the observation deck, you can watch the little penguins waddle across the beach and return to their nests in the dunes.
After watching the little penguins return to their nests, we drove back to Melbourne.
(The itinerary order and tour duration may be adjusted due to objective factors such as weather and traffic conditions on the day.)
Caldermeade Farm
Penguin Parade
Nobbies Corner
Important Info
Reminders
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
If the total number of passengers falls below the minimum 8 passengers requirement for this tour, we will notify passengers by email 2 days before departure
FAQ
The Little Penguin Parade's start time varies seasonally as it's directly tied to sunset. Generally, visitors are advised to arrive about an hour before sunset to find a good viewing spot and explore the visitor center. The penguins typically begin to emerge from the ocean after dark, and the viewing experience usually lasts for about 30 to 60 minutes as they waddle to their nests. It is a natural event, so exact timing can fluctuate slightly.
At the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, visitors can witness the enchanting sight of hundreds of Little Penguins returning to shore after a day of foraging at sea. From elevated boardwalks and viewing platforms, you can observe these charming birds waddling across the beach and into their burrows. It's a unique opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat, offering both an educational and memorable experience focused on conservation.
The Phillip Island Penguin Parade is a protected wildlife conservation area and a ticketed event. There are no free viewing alternatives to specifically watch the Little Penguins return to shore at the designated parade area. The entry fees directly support the research, care, and conservation efforts for the penguins and their habitat, ensuring their long-term protection.
The Little Penguins return to Phillip Island every night of the year, so there isn't a single 'best' time. However, viewing experiences vary by season. In summer, the parade starts later due to longer daylight hours, offering warmer evenings. In winter, the parade occurs earlier and it can be colder, but penguin numbers are consistently good. Spring and autumn offer a balance, and sometimes higher numbers of penguins due to breeding seasons. Each season provides a unique perspective.
For visitors without a car, joining a guided tour is the most convenient way to reach attractions like Maru Koala and Zoo on Phillip Island. These tours typically include comfortable transportation directly to the park, along with other attractions on Phillip Island, ensuring a hassle-free journey. While limited local bus services exist, they do not comprehensively cover all tourist attractions, making tour buses or private transport more practical.
The most convenient way to travel between attractions like The Nobbies and the Penguin Parade is by joining a guided tour. These tours provide seamless transportation between sites, following a planned itinerary. If traveling independently, a private car or local taxi services would be necessary. Walking distances between these locations are significant, and dedicated shuttle services are not broadly available for individual trips.
While taxi services are available on Phillip Island, they are not as abundant or as readily available as in metropolitan areas, especially for reaching locations like the Centennial Farm which might be more rural. It is highly recommended to pre-book a taxi if you plan to use this mode of transport for specific attractions. Guided tours often offer a more structured and reliable way to visit such sites without the need for individual taxi arrangements.
Walking between major attractions such as Cowes and the Penguin Parade is generally not feasible. The distance between these points on Phillip Island is significant, often several kilometers, and roads are designed for vehicle traffic rather than pedestrian access over long stretches. Visitors are advised to use guided tours, private vehicles, or local taxi services for comfortable and safe travel between attractions.
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