Phillip Island Small Groups Tours

Phillip Island Wildlife and Penguin Parade tour

    The Unhurried Way to Island Wildlife

    Witness the magic of Phillip Island

    Do you fancy getting close to iconic Australian animals like koalas, kangaroos, and wombats? Then join us for an unforgettable experience that culminates at the famous Penguin Parade. This full-day, small-group tour combines stunning coastal views with fascinating wildlife, designed to let you relax and explore without the rush.

    Group Tours are currently unavailable. Please enquire about Private Tours.

    At a Glance

    • Price:  Adult: A$139 / Children under 14: A$129

    • Duration: Full-day tour (start time confirmed upon booking)

    • Pick up: Departs from St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne

    • Drop off: Returns to Melbourne after the Penguin Parade (time varies seasonally)

    • Included: Guided tour, return transport, and entry to the Wildlife Sanctuary

    • Max 12 Guests: Small groups only for a personal feel

    • Vehicle: Comfortable 12-seater minibus with reclining seats and USB chargers

    Witness the magical moment when hundreds of little penguins waddle home at sunset
    Spot wild koalas, wallabies, and kangaroos in their natural habitat at the Sanctuary
    Take your chance to capture amazing photos at the iconic Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes
    Walk along the boardwalk at Seal Rocks, admiring amazing scenic views at Phillip Island's western point.
    Explore Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island's longest and most exposed beach, for breath-taking photos.
    Feel truly alive: The sheer magnitude of the coast here feels liberating and spectacular.
    • Reverse Itinerary:
      You'll arrive at the 12 Apostles before the large tour buses. This means you get to enjoy the view and take photos without hundreds of people in the background.
    • Spacious Minibus:
      Our tours have a maximum of 11 passengers, giving you plenty of room to stretch out and relax. This creates a more intimate and personal atmosphere where you can chat with your guide and fellow travelers.
    • Audio Guide in 14 Languages:
      Listen to a professional audio commentary that automatically triggers at key stops. This gives you stories, facts, and insights in your own language as you travel.

    Phillip Island, Wildlife Sanctuary and Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes Tour

    What makes our tour different?

    Sunset Penguin Parade

    We save the best 'til last. Watch hundreds of penguins return to their nests after weeks at sea—a spectacular and memorable finale to your day.

    Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters

    Get up close to many protected species at the Wildlife Sanctuary, including wallabies, dingoes, and wombats. You can even hand-feed some of them.

    Avoid the Crowds

    Travel in our personalised, small-group coach to enjoy a more relaxed and tailored experience

    Friendly Expert Guide

    Your guide shares awesome stories and awesome facts, making the journey as fun as the destination.

    Award-Winning Service

    Join over 5,000+ satisfied guests recognised by TripAdvisor's Best of the Best. Guests love our quality, personalised service, and unforgettable experiences.

    Instagrammer's Delight

    Visit the quirky, iconic Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes—a real postcard location for creative and colourful photos.

    See Our 5-Star Reviews

    See why guests rate their day with Hit The Road Tours five stars

    Ramya M.

    "Had the most amazing Mt Buller trip with James! The weather was just great and so was our guide. This tour is fun mix of everything - short hikes/walks, tobogganing, sightseeing with the chairlift and.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Phil Warin

    "I want to call out that James was probably the best tour guide I've experienced, after many tours around the world. He knows what he's talking about, connects with his audience and makes it fun..."
    GooglePosted on Google

    Gary Huston

    "Pickup was great, well organized even though several vans. Our guide Chris made us all feel at home... When unexpected sites were closed by park rangers, Chris helped us see alternative sites so we didn’t.."
    GooglePosted on Google

    Andrew Nuelan

    "If you're planning a trip along the GOR, do yourself a favor and choose Marty... He took us beyond the usual stops, revealing hidden gems and breathtaking spots that felt like secrets only he knew..."
    GooglePosted on Google

    Jasmine Su

    "It was a one-man event, but I was able to participate with confidence! My guide Jimmy Chen was kind and it became a lifetime memory. His driving was excellent and he went above and beyond.."
    GooglePosted on Google

    Su Li Zhang

    "The driver drove safely and smoothly, going to every attraction... Some attractions are also purposely accompanied for interpretation. Amazing tour..."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Details

    Philllip Island Wildlife and Penguin Parade Tour

    Here is all the essential information regarding your tour, including what’s covered, what you need to bring, and how to get ready for your memorable day with the penguins.

    • Small group tour in a super-comfortable coach (Note: Group tours are currently unavailable; please enquire about private tours).
    • Penguin Parade General Viewing tickets are included (Enquire regarding Penguin Plus upgrade ticket availability).
    • Guided tour with expert local insights, great music, and a premium boutique vibe.
    • Return transport to and from your destination.
    • All National Park fees included in the price.
    • Entry to the Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • Water bottle provided for the journey.

    Meals and snacks (Stops will be made where you can purchase food).

    Do you fancy getting close to the iconic Australian animals like koalas, kangaroos and wombats, and finish the day at the Penguin Parade​ where the little ones waddle back to their nests? Then, join us on this tour!

    • Discover a wide range of animals and wildlife including koalas, emus, kangaroos and much more
    • Visit the iconic Bathing Boxes – an amazing location for a photo shoot!
    • Visit Cape Woolamai, the longest and most exposed beach in Phillip Island
    • Soak up incredible scenic views at Seal Rocks and Nobbies Centre
    • Watch hundreds of amazing Penguins return home at sunset
    • Avoid the crowds with our more personalized, small group tour. A fantastic idea for all ages!
    • Departure Location: The departing point is at St Paul’s Cathedral.
    • Departure Time: Time is confirmed upon booking (as it is seasonally dependent on the Penguin Parade schedule).
    • Return: Returns to Melbourne after the Penguin Parade concludes (time varies seasonally).
    Book your tour
    Small Group Tour
    Switch pricing
    Private Tour

    Adults: A$139

    Children Under 14: A$129

    • Flexible Cancellation Policy

    • Best Price When You Book Direct

    • Our Tours Run Rain or Shine

    • Guaranteed Departure - We Never Cancel a Tour

    Price: From A$159* pp

    *varies depending on number of people

    • Flexible Cancellation Policy

    • Best Price When You Book Direct

    • Our Tours Run Rain or Shine

    • Guaranteed Departure - We Never Cancel a Tour

    Enquire Now
    Still have questions?
  • We're here to help. Send us a message on WhatsApp.

  • +61 447 351 307

  • Itinerary

    How we plan the day, step-by-step

    Witness the Magic of Iconic Philip Island! You’ve never experienced so much fascinating wildlife and gorgeous scenery all in one place.

    • STOP 1

      Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes

      Board our super-comfortable coach at St Paul’s Cathedral and head straight to our first destination: the iconic, quirky Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes.

    • STOP 2

      Wildlife Sanctuary

      We take you to a special home to many endangered species, including koalas, wombats, and kangaroos. You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal when you hand-feed some of them.

    • STOP 3

      Phillip Island & Cape Woolamai

      We take you across the bridge to the famous Phillip Island. The first stop is Cape Woolamai, where you can grab breath-taking photos of the longest, most exposed beach on Phillip Island.

    • STOP 4

      Seal Rocks & Nobbies Centre

      Take a stroll along the boardwalk at Seal Rocks and pause to admire the amazing scenic views at Phillip Island’s most western point.

    • STOP 5

      Coastal Wildlife Drive

      Take the scenic backroad from The Nobbies to the Penguin Parade on a restricted track to spot wallabies roaming in the wild.

    • STOP 6

      Penguin Parade Finale

      As the glorious sun begins to set, get ready as we watch hundreds of penguins come onto the beach after weeks of fishing at sea. You really couldn’t top this day off with anything more spectacular!

    • Return

      Return Journey

      After this amazing day, it’s time to board the bus for our return journey back to the mainland. Expected time of arrival in Brisbane is around 5:30 pm.

    Testimonials

    What our guests say

    Read what our 5,000 satisfied travellers say about our unforgettable small-group tours and expert local guides.

    Braelyn H.

    "This is a MUST DO in Melbourne!! Matty was a great tour guide! The views were absolutely breathtaking, driving along the coast was awesome, and we stopped at just the right amount of places to.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Maryann D

    "What a fantastic bucket list trip today with Jimmy our driver and guide. We saw it all the amazing Twelve Apostles and rugged coastline nature, the rainforest walk, koalas in trees on the roadside and.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    k K.

    "Doing the reverse trip is the only way to go so there are less crowds and you can really enjoy the sights you are there to see. The tour gives enough time to take in.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Khadija I.

    "The reverse itinerary was a great choice, as we dodged crowds at almost all locations. Mandy was a great tour instructor and went out of his way to show us wild life in most hidden.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Venture61568171504

    "Peter was one of the best tour guides and driver we’ve ever met. He was extremely friendly, kind, patient, professional, knowledgeable, and considerate. My wife and I strongly recommend him and his tour company..."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor

    Outi P.

    "I did the Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour a few weeks ago, and I have to say I cannot recommend it enough!! Sandra at the office was lovely and helped me with my.."
    TripAdvisorPosted on TripAdvisor
    Read More Reviews

    Our Process

    Booking a tour with
    Hit The Road Tours is Easy.

    Whether it’s a wine tasting escape, coastal drive, or wildlife-packed adventure, here’s how to book your next experience.

    Choose your tour

    Choose from our most popular tours across Victoria, from the Great Ocean Road to the Yarra Valley and beyond.

    Tell us the details

    Select your date, choose your group size, and fill in a few quick details.

    Lock it in

    Confirm your spot with a secure payment. We will email your booking details and a few reminders before the tour.

    See you on tour

    You're all set - just show up and enjoy the ride. We'll take care of the rest.

    ​Creating Remarkable Moments, Leaving a Legacy of Green!

    Ready to hit the road?

    Don’t settle for overcrowded tours and impersonal experiences. You deserve a trip that feels relaxed, personal, and unforgettable.

    Plan my tour