See Australian Animals including penguins, kangaroos, koalas and more on our Phillip Island Day Tour from Melbourne.
Our Phillip Island day tour from Melbourne gives you the chance to discover unique Australian wildlife like penguins, kangaroos, koalas, and plenty more. Because we think we’ve created the ultimate tour for animal lovers and we would love for you to join us. Read on to see what Aussie animals you can meet on tour, both at Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary.
Meet these Animals on our Phillip Island Day Tour
Phillip Island Penguins
If you want to see penguins in their natural environment, this is the place to come to! Phillip Island is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins, and therefore each day after sunset. Watch them returning home from the ocean and waddling across the sand, through the sand dunes, and back to their nests. Before the Penguin Parade begins we visit Point Grant to take a stroll along the Nobbies boardwalk. This walk offers spectacular views of the coast, but also gives you a glimpse into the penguins’ nest. So you may even spot a penguin that has stayed home for the day.
Kangaroos and Wallabies
On tour we also visit Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park where you can feed the wallabies and kangaroos. These animals are free to roam around the Sanctuary and can usually be found amongst the trees along the Wallaby Walk. This is a perfect opportunity to get up close – plus you might see a joey poking its head out of the pouch, or be able to take a selfie with a kangaroo.
Koalas, Wombats, Dingos, Emus and more
At Moonlit Sanctuary there are over 60 Australian species, including birds, marsupials and reptiles, some of which are endangered species. You can greet a hairy-nosed wombat, marvel at the antics of well-trained dingos, and listen to the laughter of the kookaburras. In addition, keeper talks and the Conservation in Action Show give you the opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals.
Australian Fur Seals
Seal Rocks are flat rocks further off the coast of Phillip Island. They are a home to Melbourne’s largest colony of Australian fur seals. They feed in the waters surrounding Phillip Island and can be found resting and sleeping on the rocks. At Point Grant there are binoculars along the boardwalk which can be used to spot the marine creatures out on Seal Rocks. Visiting the Nobbies gives you fantastic views out to the Southern Ocean and across Western Port Bay.
Whales – Southern Right, Humpback and Orcas
Around June/July and again in October/November, you can witness whales passing by the coast of Phillip Island. At times they have even been spotted frolicking and searching for food in Western Port Bay. Southern Right whales are the most common, but Humpback whales and even Orcas have been spotted there as well.
Short-tailed Shearwaters
Cape Woolamai is a nesting ground for over one million short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds). Each year these migratory birds fly 8,000 kilometres from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands to Phillip Island. They can be seen on and around Phillip Island between September and April.
Other attractions on our Phillip Island Day Tour
Brighton Bathing Boxes
You can visit Brighton Beach on our Phillip Island day tour from Melbourne. It is our first stop on the tour, just a short drive from the city centre. It is a great place to take photos and scroll along the sand to admire the multi-coloured Bathing Boxes..
These bathing boxes were built in the 1800’s by European migrants who needed a place to get changed at the beach. In 1930’s many of the original bathing boxes from Melbourne’s beaches were relocated to Brighton Beach, where many of them still stand today.
Take a day tour to Phillip Island with Go West
Phillip Island is a great place to visit on tour, because you can discover the best parts of the island and finish the day at the world-famous Penguin Parade. Here’s what you can expect if you take a Phillip Island Tour with Go West.
- Visit the famous Brighton Beach boxes
- Take a guided tour of the award-winning Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Meet and feed a wide range of Australian animals including koalas, wombats, dingoes, and more
- Visit Point Grant on Phillip Island to view the Nobbies and Seal Rocks
- Stroll the coastal boardwalks to enjoy amazing panoramic views
- Finish the day at the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
The Parade is at Summerlands Beach, on the southern coast of Phillip Island – just under two hours drive from Melbourne. Each night thousands of these penguins return from feeding in the ocean and waddle across the beach to their burrows in the sand dunes. The Penguin Parade is the best place to watch this phenomenon up close, without disturbing the penguins or their natural environment.
Which penguins are at Phillip Island?
Phillip Island is home to a colony of Little Penguins. These are the smallest penguins in the world measuring 40 – 45 cm tall. They have a blue or grey upper body and white underbelly. They can be found nesting along the southern edge of Australia’s mainland and Tasmania. However, the largest colony – around 32,000 penguins – is on Phillip Island.
What are the different tickets for the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
You can choose from the following ticket options for the Penguin Parade:
- General Viewing – Enjoy tiered seating in our general viewing grandstands overlooking the picturesque Summerlands Beach.
- Penguins Plus – Get up close and personal with the Little Penguins from our extra special Penguins Plus grandstand.
- Underground Viewing – Go underground and watch the Little Penguins waddle right past the window – some might even come up to the glass to say hello!
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
So what are you waiting for? If you love animals, you’ll love our Phillip Island day tour! Book now and we’ll see you soon!
