PHILLIP ISLAND WILDLIFE & PENGUIN PARADE
Experience Churchill Island, koalas, scenic coastal lookouts and the world-famous Penguin Parade on a private Phillip Island escape.
FROM $1300 AUD
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Phillip Island & Bunurong Coast Penguin Parade Private Tour
Bunurong Coast & Penguin Parade Adventure
Journey from dinosaur cliffs and shipwreck shores to the world-famous Penguin Parade on a private coastal escape from Melbourne.
Tour Details
Price
From $1250 AUD
Duration
Approx. 11.5 Hours
Pick Up & Return
Hotel pick-up & return (CBD & inner suburbs)
When Can I Go
Daily, All year round
Departure Time
10:30AM APR - SEP
12:30PM OCT - MAR (DST)
12:30PM OCT - MAR (DST)
Group Size
1-7 Guests
Ages
All ages welcome
Child seats on request
Child seats on request
Vehicle
Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Return Distance
350 km / 217 mi
What to expect
10:30 AM / 12:30 PM
Pickup from Melbourne CBD or nearby accommodation
Depart mid-morning (10:30 AM outside daylight savings, 12:30 PM during daylight savings) and settle in for a coastal day along the Bunurong cliffs and Phillip Island.
Early Afternoon
Lunch in town (free time to explore)
Choose a relaxed bite by the water and wander local shops; ease into the seaside rhythm before the coast drive.
Mid Afternoon
Bunurong Environment Centre
Browse hands-on displays and coastal stories; get your bearings on geology, wildlife, and sea life.
Dinosaur Dreaming site (Flat Rocks)
Stand where fossils were found; scan the rock shelves and imagine this coast 115 million years ago.
Late Afternoon
Amazon Shipwreck Site
Trace the tale of the 1863 barque Amazon; watch waves sweep the reef where her journey ended.
Eagles Nest
Take in the signature lookout; feel the breeze at the cliff edge over Bunurong Marine Park.
Bunurong Coastal Drive
Link a string of ocean lookouts and rock formations; see colour shift across headlands and coves.
Pause for a photo at the historic timber trestle as the surf thrums beneath the span.
Evening
The Nobbies (Phillip Island)
Stroll boardwalks to cliff-top viewpoints; watch the Bass Strait swell and the blowhole near Seal Rocks.
Sunset
Penguin Parade
Settle into your vantage point as little penguins waddle ashore at dusk; savour the hush and tiny footsteps.
Late Evening
Return to Melbourne
Travel back in comfort and arrive in Melbourne between 9:30PM–11:30PM, with coastal sunsets and penguins still fresh in mind.
Whats Included
- Private tour in a luxury vehicle
- Door-to-door hotel pickup & drop-off (Melbourne metro)
- Friendly, knowledgeable local guide
- Entry to Penguin Parade (general admission)
- Flexible, scenic itinerary & photo stops
- Bottled water
- Child seats on request (please advise ages)
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers or windbreaker (coastal evenings can be chilly; beanie/gloves in winter)
- Hat, sunscreen & sunglasses (daytime)
- Refillable water bottle
- Money for meals & extras
- Camera
Enhancements
- Phillip Island Go-Karts
- Scenic Helicopter flight over Phillip Island (25 Minutes)
- Penguins Underground viewing (subject to availability)
- Wine tasting & lunch at a winery
Tour FAQs
Yes — your tour includes general admission to the Penguin Parade (standard viewing). Other coastal stops are public lookouts and sites.
We include a brief interpretive stop when open, but hours can vary seasonally. If it’s closed, we simply spend more time at coastal lookouts like Eagles Nest, the Dinosaur Dreaming site (conditions permitting), and along the Bunurong coastal drive.
Premium viewing upgrades are available (subject to availability) at additional cost. Tell us when booking and we’ll organise the best option for your group.
No photography is permitted after sunset when penguins begin arriving. Bright or flashing lights in the dark can stun or disorient the penguins — please put cameras/phones away once the ban applies. Before sunset, follow ranger instructions, keep flashes off and screens dim.
Mostly short, easy walks to boardwalks and lookouts. Some rock-shelf areas can be uneven or slippery — we tailor access and pace to suit your group and the conditions.
Yes — we plan regular comfort stops in coastal towns and free time for meals at your own expense before the Parade. Your guide will recommend good local options along the route.
Yes — it’s family-friendly with short walks and engaging coastal viewpoints. Child seats can be provided on request (please advise ages). Note the late finish around sunset at the Penguin Parade.
Many boardwalks and viewing areas offer accessible options. Let us know your requirements when booking and we’ll arrange suitable access and seating where possible.
A luxury Mercedes-Benz people mover with leather seats, climate control, ample luggage space, and phone charging on board for a comfortable evening return.
We carry a small onboard fridge to keep perishables chilled during the day. Your guide can store and label items and return them before the final stop.
The coast is dramatic in any weather and the Penguin Parade runs in most conditions. We adjust the order and timing of stops to make the most of the day and improve comfort and visibility.
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