6 Wildlife and Koala Tours in Phillip Island to Build a Day Around

1.Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 867 reviews · from $111Our pick

Travel from Melbourne to Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island with a guide such as Michael, David, Bluey, or Reuben. Feed wallabies, spot koalas, walk the Nobbies boardwalk, and watch Little Penguins come ashore after dark. Expect a 12 to 14 hour day with a late return.

“My husband and I had an awesome tour with our guide, David! The day was spaced out brilliantly, with plenty of toilet, snack/coffee and walk breaks. Seeing the penguins at the official “parade” was of course amazing! But we also got to see them in their nest at the “Nobbies” and could take pictures there, which was really cool! We also saw Wallaby and Echidna in the wild! Highly recommend this tour! My only warning: when you do go to the penguin parade … head to get your food first and eat inside … or a seagull may swoop down and take your fish taco without a second thought …”

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2.Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 775 reviews · from $125

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island in a small-group coach of up to 38 people. Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, Cowes, and the Nobbies before watching Little Penguins return from the sea. Guides such as Cray, Peter, Lauren, and Joel are praised for clear local commentary.

“It was really really cold, even though in the middle of the summer take plenty of warm clothes even a hat”

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3.Full-Day Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 658 reviews · from $104

Spend about 10 hours exploring Phillip Island from Melbourne, with wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary, coastal stops, and general admission to the Penguin Parade. Guides such as Steve, Luke, John, Elliot, and James have led past departures, though the guide varies. Bring food, water, and warm layers.

“1) The biggest CATCH of this whole Penguin Parade thing is this: Photos are NOT ALLOWED during the parade, not just flash camera, but ALL cameras - you will be constantly reminded and monitored to ensure no photo taking. This - we should note that - is NEVER communicated on their website nor by the tour guide (at least not by our tour guide Luke) whatsoever - meaning that we were all told literally 30mins before the parade took place. 2) Massively disorganized cluster-mess of a picking-up / onboarding experience - truly the worst I’ve ever had so far out of tons of day-tours I did: Instead of proactively checking…”

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4.Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 539 reviews · from $102Best value

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island by air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide such as Fiona, Vicky, or Graham. Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, Woolamai Beach, Nobbies, and Seal Rocks, then watch little penguins return from the sea at the Penguin Parade.

“Just fabulous in every way! Fiona was so knowledgeable and really made sure we got to see the best of everything.”

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5.Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip with Koalas from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 253 reviews · from $111

Spend about 10 hours with guides such as Fiona, Graham, Peter, or Craig, visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve, Cape Woolamai, Cowes, the Nobbies, and the Penguin Parade. Transport, entry fees, commentary, and Wi-Fi are included. Bring warm layers and patience for the late penguin viewing.

“This day activity was more exciting than the Great ocean road. If you’re a person that doesn’t think like “Journey is better than the destination” then this is for you. Only One and half hour away from the city, you get to see animals at conservatiRead more”

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6.Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Wildlife and Beach Boxes Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · from $111

Spend about 12 hours visiting Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s famous penguin viewing area. Your driver-guide, such as Russell, Dirk, or John, handles transport and admission from selected Melbourne CBD hotels. Bring warm clothes for the cold evening parade.

“The bus did not have air-con working and that made it very uncomfortable on a hot day. The penguin sighting was a good experience”

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