15 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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7.French and Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 38 reviews · 12 - 14 hours · from $155

Ride ferries to French and Phillip Islands, explore French Island by 4WD with guides such as Daisy or Scotty, pause at a seasonal farm gate, visit the Nobbies, and watch wild penguins at sunset. Expect a long, active day with transport, park fees, and Penguin Parade entry included.

“The tour was fantastic! The islands were beautiful & Margaret was the perfect guide!”

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8.Wine and Wildlife Tour with Penguin Parade

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $121

Start in Cowes, then taste six wines at Phillip Island Winery with a regional grazing platter and woodfired pizza dinner. Visit Flynns Beach and The Nobbies at golden hour before watching Little Penguins return to shore. Pickup and return are included, with guides such as Ray leading the way.

“Our Penguin Parade tour with Local Way Tours was absolutely great. Our driver/guide, Ray, had everything well organized from our wine tasting, to a pizza dinner, and finally the Penguin Parade. Had a great day...saw great scenery and too manRead more”

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9.Phillip Island Wildlife Cruise and Penguin Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $118

Spend about 13 hours exploring Phillip Island with a local guide such as Ned, Mike, Yuri, or Rod. Visit San Remo, the Nobbies, and the Penguin Parade, then choose a two-hour wildlife cruise or free time in Cowes. Premium penguin seating, WiFi, and a maximum of 15 people are included.

“Really wonderful trip. Mike , our guide, was knowledgeable and entertaining and the small group really seemed to click. I admit I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the koalas and penguins, but it was extremely enjoyable. Mike was sure to Read more”

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10.Phillip Island Penguin and wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $159

Spend about 12 hours exploring Phillip Island with a group of no more than 11 people. See koalas and kangaroos, stop in Cowes, walk at The Nobbies, and watch little penguins return after sunset. Transport, wildlife park entry, and standard Penguin Parade entry are included.

“Long day and the kids were very tired at the end. They provide lots of sightseeing and the guide was terrific. I wish we had been forewarned about how cold and windy it was going to be so we would have brought jackets. The final piece of seeing the penguins was miserable because we were all so cold.”

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11.Full-Day Private Australian Wildlife Tour of Phillip Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $412

Spend 9 to 11 hours with a private guide exploring Phillip Island from Melbourne. Feed kangaroos at Moonlit Sanctuary, see wallabies at the Nobbies, pause at Woolamai Beach, and watch little penguins return to shore. Guides including Ben, Kenny, Lewi, and Viviana are praised for warm service and local insight.

“Excellent trip, very nice experience to see kangaroo and penguins. Mr. Ben was friendly n recommended private tour guide.”

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12.Wine, Wildlife & Penguins with Gourmet Feast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 6 hours · from $116

Spend six hours with a local guide such as Mike, Ray, or Russell, combining a six-wine tasting, regional grazing platter, pizza lunch, The Nobbies at sunset, and the Penguin Parade. Hotel pickup, a small group, WiFi, and a guaranteed window seat keep the outing easy.

“We went all of the spot in the best timing. Especially the sunset we saw in Nobbies were amazing.”

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13.Healesville Sanctuary & Phillip Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 11 reviews · 11 hours · from $125

Travel from Melbourne to Healesville Sanctuary, the Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade in about 11 hours. You’ll see koalas, kangaroos, birds of prey, and coastal wildlife, with commentary from guides such as Russell or Lorraine. Confirm the Healesville stop before booking, as some departures have substituted Moonlit Sanctuary.

“The tour didn't happen. Apparently a tour to Healesville and Phillip Island never takes place despite being advertised. The programme was changed at the last minute with the Healesville element dropped. We therefore had to change our plans. TBF the company did refund the monies swiftly and without question.”

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14.Full-Day Private Australian Wildlife Tour of Phillip Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 9 hours - 570 minutes

Spend nine hours exploring Phillip Island with a private guide such as Ben, stopping at Brighton Beach, Maru Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai, and the Nobbies before watching little penguins return at sunset. Hotel pickup, transport, wildlife tickets, and water are included.

“Ben was a very competent guide and a good, save driver. We spent a wonderful day with himEventhough weather was cold and rainy, we enjoyed that tour very much. We saw kangaroos and wallabies and lots of other animals like koalas in a zoo. In the wvening we saw the penguin parade, they were so cute. Highly recomendable that tour!”

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15.Healesville Sanctuary And Phillip Island Wildlife Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $126

Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned bus to Healesville Sanctuary, the Nobbies Centre, and Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade. You get included entry, free Wi-Fi, and a driver-guide who explains the day and points out wildlife along the way. Food is extra, and the day can stretch to 12 hours.

“Good tour for all around exposure to Melbourne and sights at nature reserve. The National Park was nice but a little rushed. The penguin parade was unique but the place had a chaotic/fomo vibe that certain cultures bring with them. ThRead more”

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