Phillip Island’s famed and much-loved Penguin Parade experience is a quintessential Australian wildlife experience which allows the patrons a rare chance to view the fairy penguins, otherwise known as the little blue penguins as they head in on Summerland Beach. With the stunning views and the preservation work undertaken by Phillip Island Nature Parks, the activity also becomes an eye opener on the lives of the cute little ocean-dwelling creatures. Here are top tips to help you as you prepare, whether a day trip or part of a longer trip across Phillip Island, towards Penguin Parade.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal months of the year to visit Phillip Island Penguin Parade happen to be between October and March which falls within the warmer months. The sun is at its fullest and longest during the summer months. So even after watching the parade, one can still visit other Phillip Island attractions such as the Koala Conservation Reserve and the Churchill Island Heritage Farm before sunset. Whereby visitors do not want too many penguin parade alongside themselves, offseason will be considered and outsiders especially wolves will not notice when the parade is packed or not.
Penguins are always known to come in at sunset no matter the period of the year. If you visit an hour before sunset or would come earlier, this will you get extra time in exploring the Phillip Island Nature Parks visitor center and its beautiful displays concerning the local fauna and conservation projects. It is also sensible to add some travel time, particularly during busy times to make certain that you are seated before the estimated time of the return of the penguins.
How to Purchase Tickets
It is always best to purchase your admission ticket to the Penguin Parade ahead of time, especially during peak periods of the weekend, school holiday periods, and public holiday periods. You can buy tickets online through the Phillip Island Nature Parks website or at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre. Other ticket options include general admission, Penguin Plus, Underground Viewing, and guided Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour other ticket optiions to mention a few, some offering diferent experiences and vantage points.
Just for instance, Underground ticket holders have a panoramic eyeline view of the penguins at an angle of 180 degrees. This is where the ticket holders will view the natural habitat of the penguins unobtrusively and up close. Child tickets are also different therefore making it a fun activity for everyone.
What to Wear and Bring
When visiting Phillip Island, even in the warm months, one should be prepared for the cold weather during the night. Hence, taking warm clothing is recommended and if one is going to spend time near the water early in the morning, a thick spring swimsuit would be advisable. Always dress in light and warm multi-layers of clothing, and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof jacket because rain can never be ruled out. It is imperative to wear properly fitted footwear for walking on rough or rocky floors.
For those looking at the penguins from further away, consider bringing binoculars. For people who will be sitting on the viewing platforms, cushions and blankets make the experience more bearable. Since flash photography is not permitted as the penguins must not be disturbed, it is important to carry a camera that is able to take photographs with dramatic backgrounds without the flash.
Arrival and Parking
It is essential that one does not ignore these aspects in their efforts to recount their exploration of Phillip Island. The Penguin parade, within the Phillip island area, is about forty to fifty minutes drive from Cowes Main beach and other places such as the ventnor beach, silverleaves beach and san remo back beach. If you do so, you may want to leave the hour before penguins arrival and this is to give you room to park, visit the visitor centre and eat if necessary.
It is suggested that you come at least an hour before penguin time since that also allows you to explore the visitor center exhibitions in addition to learning about the various conservation projects and wildlife Tour Phillip Island. Visitors who have difficulty moving around can request for wheel chairs provided complimentary on site.
Best Viewing Spots
As a timed event attracting hundreds of visitors, the Penguin Parade has a number of parks with defined viewing zones, such as Penguin Plus, in which you are provided with the waddleway view, an area where the penguins march to their burrows. The appealing structures are made for the viewers, not ruining the Third World view of the structures Ashew add the good view off the Audience.
If you want incredible views of the ocean combined with an outrageous day trip, go ahead and pay the extra bucks and buy the premium viewing option. With general admission, great views of the penguins coming out of the ocean can be enjoyed but if willing to spend more, stout/premium seating and guided excursions will prove to be much better.
Understanding Penguin Behavior
Fairy Penguin also known as the Blue Penguin is a unique animal that travels in groups for safety in their way back to their nests. It is a wonderful occasion to observe their social organization, habitat, and day to day activities. Phillip Island Nature Parks Rangers are available here to explain the habits of the penguins while visitors have some information on the measures by the park to conserve this class of animals.
Do keep in mind to keep quiet and also refrain from flash photography, as the penguins are light and noise sensitive.
Dining and Refreshments
For those who are hungry before the parade, you can go into the visitor center café that has appetizing and great foods and drinks some of which are hot meals for an additional fee. Or you can take a picnic to summerlands beach or brayton beach that are close by and have beautiful views. Phillip Island also has a variety of places to eat with restaurants located around the island especially in areas like Cowes Main Beach.
To enhance your experience, try combining your Trip with an Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies center- a delight with many live displays especially on marine creatures and ecosystems.
Family-Friendly Tips
The Penguin Parade is also family-friendly as it has children’s tickets and lots of activities for the young ones. Any Phillip Island Nature Parks site has catered for that with accessible facilitations such as wheelchairs and friendly guides giving educational discussions on the need for wildlife preservation.
For a more culturally engaging experience, visit some of the attractions in the vicinity like the Koala Conservation Centre or Maru Koala Park where kids get to learn about some of the local animals. Insisting on getting to the centre minutes before the scheduled departure allows kids to expend their excess energy ahead of settling down for the main activity.
Other Activities on Phillip Island
As stunning as the Penguin Parade is and the reason for many trips over to the Islands, Phillip Island has plenty more to offer. With a car, you can start the day with a beautiful island drive, with stopovers at destinations including Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island Heritage Farm, or The Nobbies Centre. For the animal lovers, head Maru wildlife park or Healesville wildlife sanctuary for a day trip.
Lovers of water will enjoy Phillip Island’s gentle waters by going to the Silverleaves Beach, Cowes Main Beach or San Remo Back Beach. And in case you are interested in Aboriginal culture, there are organized Phillip Island Penguins Tours and cultural presentations from the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre.
Table: Key Tips for Visiting the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | October to March for warmer weather, winter months for smaller crowds |
| Ticket Options | Buy online in advance, includes general, premium, and Underground Viewing |
| What to Wear | Warm clothes, waterproof jacket, sturdy shoes, binoculars for viewing |
| Arrival Time | Arrive an hour before penguin time to park, explore the visitor center, and find a good viewing spot |
| Best Viewing Spots | Premium and Underground options for closer views of the penguins |
| Family Tips | Child tickets available, educational talks, plenty of kid-friendly activities |
| Penguin Behavior | Quiet, no flash photography, watch how they group together and move towards their burrows |
| Dining Options | Café at the visitor center, nearby restaurants, or pack your own snacks |
| Other Activities | Visit Koala Conservation Centre, Maru Wildlife Park, and explore Phillip Island‘s stunning scenery |
Conclusion
The opportunity to see the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is something that cannot be missed on any vacation, bringing the opportunity to experience nature to the full and see animals behaving the way they are meant to be. If you do need to plan every detail of it, make sure that you take care of the ‘penguin’ protocol, so that your visit to the Penguin Parade is worthwhile. Whether it is for a first time or on a return trip, the penguin parade is truly the best place to see the cute little creatures like penguins ever.
FAQ
What time am I expected at the Penguin Parade?
To have enough time for parking, collecting the ticket, visiting the displays in the visitor center before the penguins appear, it is ideal to get there at least an hour before the sun sets.
Can I take pictures during the Penguin Parade?
Some photographic opportunities were offered, primarily of the penguins, latimes.com excepted flash photos which are discouraged, so that the penguins are not harmed. Photographers are advised to carry along low-light camera equipment.
Are there any other attractions on Phillip island apart from the penguins’ parade?
Yes, at Phillip Island there are activities like the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm & Cowes Main Beach, San Remo Back Beach among more.
Is there a good time of the year for me to visit the penguin Parade?
The best weather is experienced from October to March, which are the warmer months. However, it is believed that winter months give one an opportunity to enjoy less crowd.
Is food allowed at the penguin Parade?
Yes, snacks and other drinks can be brought in, else food is also available for sale in the visitor center where the café is located.