Phillip Island wildlife, day trip from Melbourne, Victoria’s wildlife, Penguin Parade and Summerland Beach make this an easy way to experience the island, though do not think of it as a quick excursion to put in a penguin photo. It will take most people the better part of a day, some patience with the evening traffic post-Penguin Parade and a sensible plan for the return. In this piece Gideon Bennett puts forward a no-nonsense route that takes in the wildlife, Cowes and Summerland Beach along with the transport options and the sort of things that can catch a traveller unawares.
Be it by car, coach or on a small-group outing, the Penguin Parade is your evening finale. The rest of the hours are taken up with koalas, kangaroos and wombats, the coastal views and a meal or two. Driving yourself is flexible; let a guided tour do the navigating after dark if you prefer.
What one finds on the island
On paper Phillip Island is not far from Melbourne but between the traffic, the meals and the late hour of your return, the day will stretch out. Do not look for a single compact attraction; you will find open farmland, purpose-made conservation areas and their share of busy visitor spots as well as coastal walks. A historic island farm visit can add a relaxed rural stop to the day.
It is an itinerary for those who relish a bit of wildlife and have no problem with a day of structure. If you are in the market for a slow lie-in, a long lunch or sure sunshine, this is not the place. The weather in Victoria has a way of going from mild to sharp in short order and the wind off the coast does not care for your outfit.
Who is it for?
Overseas travellers, wildlife buffs, families and first-timers tend to make the most of it. The attractions are there to be had, albeit with some standing or uneven ground on the boardwalks and viewing platforms.
Older folk or anyone with mobility issues would be well advised to enquire about access prior to booking. While the Penguin Parade has its accessible side, the distances and transfer can be different from what is advertised. Put it to the operator as to how much walking is entailed and where the coach will put you down.
Driving distance
In good conditions you can put in 90 minutes from Melbourne, but in reality it is often more. Factor in two hours each way from the CBD at busy times, say when you are putting in an appearance at the Penguin Parade or making your way back. The normal course of things is to head through the south-eastern suburbs to the Bass Coast and over the San Remo bridge. It is a reasonable drive but you will be on the road for hours. Make allowances for comfort, there is no point in having everyone packed in like sardines.
Delays happen
Whether it is the wet, roadworks or an event day, timing can be thrown out. That 12-hour tour could mean a long afternoon and a late getting back to Melbourne. See what the return point and duration are before you part with your money, particularly with an early flight or other evening plans.
If you are self-driving, do not be in a rush to leave Melbourne. Start late and you may miss a wildlife session or end up with a bad vantage at the Penguin Parade and a dinner to get through.
Making a choice on transport
It comes down to the degree of control you wish to have. For the couple or family with a driver in tow, a car is fine; for those without a vehicle the tours from Melbourne are a convenience. But then again, a bargain seat is no value if you are not seeing what you set out to. Look at the group size, the inclusions and the departure time.
Car, coach or small group?
With a car you have the space for a jacket and a snack and can make an unplanned halt, but you also have to see to the parking and the drive home. On the rural roads at dusk when the light fails and wildlife are near the edge of the road, use due caution.
A coach will give you a set route and a simple pickup in the CBD. You might pay a premium for the personal touch of a small-group tour and the odd shorter stop. And check the fine print on the Phillip Island packages to see if your entry and Penguin Parade tickets are covered. There are half-day tours for the one-attraction kind of traveller but the distance makes it a limiting format. Check the late return time if you have put the Penguin Parade on your list. Do not make the mistake of thinking “half-day” is an excuse for an early night; it can simply be half your daylight hours.
Building a Full-Day Itinerary
One way to put together a sound day-trip plan is to put the more flexible or indoor pursuits in first and reserve the Penguin Parade for later. The following is a workable sequence, though some operators will put things in reverse order at their discretion, according to the season and when they open.
Then there is the matter of not attempting to cram in every attraction. The island is better enjoyed at a steady pace and the wildlife has no regard for the timetable of your booking.
A Plan for the Day
- Make your departure from Melbourne in the 7.30 to 8.30 am slot to put some buffer in for the city traffic.
- Put in a stop for coffee and to use the facilities at San Remo or wherever is convenient by the road.
- Your route and what is covered by the tour will dictate a visit to Moonlit Sanctuary or the Koala Conservation Reserve.
- Cowes is the place for lunch, with its takeaways and cafes.
- In the afternoon, put in one thing, be it a booked wildlife outing, a trip to an old farm on the island or to take in the coast.
- Get to the Penguin Parade with time to spare before the session to park and make your way to the viewing area.
- After the penguins have made their way back at Summerland Beach, you can head to your accommodation or start the drive home to Melbourne.
It is a realistic full-day tour but do not read too much into the timings. A winter day will be dark sooner, while in summer you have more light but popular sessions and the traffic will still put in their time. Rely on your own booking times and not some generic online itinerary.
More to See Than Penguins
The headline act may be the Penguin Parade but Phillip Island has enough to offer to justify the long day. For a good sighting you are better off at a wildlife centre than a haphazard roadside pull up; and Cowes is where one goes to eat and rest in comfort.
What you go for should be down to your own inclinations. Those with young children might opt for an early meal and not a long walk, whereas a photographer would put coastal light first and give himself time for the conditions to change.
Coastal and Wildlife
At the Koala Conservation Reserve the habitat is managed and there are boardwalks set high so as not to put the koalas out. You will have to look in the canopy and not just along the path; they are very good at looking like a face affixed to a wad of leaves.
Or add some kangaroos and wombats to the day at Moonlit Sanctuary on the mainland off the Phillip Island route. Check the location in advance since “Phillip Island” packages can encompass mainland attractions and it is a question of opening hours and the tour’s route.
If your budget and schedule permit, a seal cruise is an option for marine wildlife. The boat trips are subject to the sea and require a separate booking to see the fur seals. One who is apt to get motion sick should have the proper medication to hand and not think the Bass Strait is going to be as placid as a pool in the backyard.
For a change of plan when the weather is as rough as guts, or for fuel and groceries, the island’s service hub in Cowes is handy. At Summerland Beach you must observe the rules of the Penguin Parade, stay in your area and put away any flash camera.
Reality and Expectation
You might expect an empty beach and close views of the penguins. In fact the viewing area is often crowded and the penguins come in waves; some evenings are better than others. They have not asked your return coach what time it leaves.
You could also think to fit all the wildlife in for the day. But put in too many stops and you are left with the clock rather than the animals. A more relaxed way is to have the Penguin Parade and perhaps a couple of highlights.
Before you book, compare the costs.
What an operator charges for a Phillip Island day tour is a function of inclusions, group size, transport and the category of viewing. And prices are not fixed, so what is quoted is only valid at point of booking. Have all charges confirmed in AUD, from the booking fee to any premium upgrades, cruises or meals.
Do not look for a single price for an adult to cover the whole experience. Self-driving means you pay for the car hire, the fuel, parking, food and the ticket to the Parade. A guided package might seem expensive but then you are not putting down for a car and some entry fees are taken care of.
| Option | Best For | Main Costs To Check | Typical Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drive | Flexible traveller | Fuel, parking, food and entry tickets | More control but you will be behind the wheel after dark |
| Coach tour | Those not in a car | Tour fare and any booking or inclusion fees | Easy logistics, but flexibility is at a premium |
| Small-group tour | Travellers in need of direction | Fare, group size and entry fees | More personal, usually at a higher price point |
| Wildlife add-ons | Animal lovers | Reserve, premium viewing ticket or cruise | More to do, but a longer day |
One does well to put three straightforward questions to an operator before putting down on a Phillip Island package: where is the return point, what is covered and what if the weather puts a stop to an optional activity? Any worth their salt will give a straight answer and not obfuscate with the kind of language one finds in a brochure.
Proper Planning For The Drive
There is nothing complicated about a road trip to Phillip Island, yet a few practicalities can see to a more comfortable day. Make sure directions are saved or downloaded prior to setting off, top up in Melbourne or some other sizeable town and have provisions in the car.
Check park information and alerts before leaving.
A word of advice on driving and parking
If you can, avoid the worst of peak hour traffic in the Melbourne CBD. Once there, factor in time to park at the Penguin Parade and put in the walk to the viewing area. When the event is over and everyone else is making to leave, queues are inevitable. Have your phone, jacket and ticket to hand instead of rooting around in the back of the car.
Dusk and after brings its own hazards. Put the speed down near wildlife signs and use your headlights as the conditions warrant. There is no need to put yourself in an unsafe spot for a photograph of an animal, nor to cross a barrier or approach a seal for a better angle. Do not feed them.
Walking, Tides And The Weather
What the forecast says for the day is not what the coastal wind will feel like in the evening. Sturdy shoes, something warm and waterproof, sunscreen are de rigueur. You may want a torch for the walk back, but be considerate and heed the staff when it comes to the wildlife.
Wet rocks and a change in the weather are trouble you can do without, so check tides before a coastal stop or beach walk. Those not up to much walking would be wise to opt for the shorter ones and see what seating is on offer.
Booking Without The Surprises
Fix your date and get the Penguin Parade booked first, then arrange the rest of the day. Availability is limited for the premium areas and popular dates will be taken. If in a group, make certain all tickets are under one booking.
Take care to read the policy on cancellations and the weather. Poor seas might mean a seal cruise is called off or changed, the Penguin Parade being a separate matter altogether. Have your confirmation emails offline, mobile reception in the region is not to be relied upon.
A Checklist
- The location and time for pickup in Melbourne, and late return.
- Inclusion of any viewing upgrades or admission to the Penguin Parade.
- How long you will be at each of the daytime attractions and which are part of the deal.
- Luggage limits, meal plans, child and accessibility requirements.
- The operator’s present contact details and terms for cancellation.
Some FAQs
You will hear these from me most often when folks are making plans for a day on the island. I keep the answers short and to the point; there is no call for a lecture when one is wondering if enough socks have been packed.
Is a day from Melbourne feasible?
Yes, provided you are up early and do not try to cram in a seal cruise, several long walks and every wildlife centre. It is less agreeable that way.
What is the outlay?
Fuel, transport, the odd experience and attraction tickets will set you back. Self-drivers must add in the entry fees. Compare the whole package to the headline figure and check current prices in AUD.
What makes for a good day?
Make the Penguin Parade your priority, have lunch in Cowes and pick a major wildlife attraction for the day. A coastal stop can be added if the timing is right. It keeps the itinerary from becoming a scavenger hunt.
Which is the best tour?
One that has the attractions you are after and a sensible plan for the return. A coach for simple transport, small-group for guidance, self-drive for flexibility. Look at inclusions and duration before you compare.
Will half a day suffice?
For one attraction perhaps, but to properly see the island it is not the ideal. Most first-timers would be better served by a full-day tour given the distance and the evening parade.
In The End
Treat it as a long day of wildlife and not a quick run from Melbourne and Phillip Island is easy enough. Book the parade, dress for the coast, be realistic about driving times and allow for the weather and people moving at a normal pace.
I would say keep it simple: fewer stops, an early start and have the return in mind from the outset. Then you can let the penguins and koalas, the kangaroos and wombats and the air off the coast have their effect without your schedule going as flat as a pancake.
