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Important: Hours or services may differ. To get the most accurate information please refer to the supplier's official website. This destination you intend to travel to may have COVID-19 travel restrictions in place. Please check any national, local and health advisories for this destination before you book.
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  •  Activities
  •  Melbourne, Phillip Island
  •  Melbourne Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade General Viewing + Churchill Island + Koala Reserve

Melbourne Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade General Viewing + Churchill Island + Koala Reserve

Phillip Island Nature Parks

  • Melbourne, Phillip Island
  • English
  • Flexible.
  • Free Cancellation prior to 7 days of travel date
  • 48 Working Hours Confirmation

Standard Inclusions

  • 1. General viewing at Penguin Parade
  • 2. Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
  • 3. Entry to Churchill Island
  • 4. Entry to Nobbies Centre
  • Vaccination documentation no longer required upon check-in.
  • 【Winter hours】
  • Penguin Parade Visitors Centre opens at 5pm daily including Christmas Day 25 December. (All other attractions closed on Christmas Day.)
  • The penguins are wild birds, so the numbers and arrival times vary with the life-cycle activity, weather and seasons. Please refer to 'Other info' section for the guidelines of seasonal arrival times.
  • Churchill Island Heritage Farm opens from 10am weekdays and from 9am weekends, closes at 4:30pm, last entry 4pm. Attraction closes on Christmas Day 25 December.
  • Koala Conservation Reserve opens 10am - 4:30pm, last entry 4pm. Attraction closes on Christmas Day 25 December. Café is currently closed. Cold drinks, ice cream and confectionary are available through retail.
  • Nobbies Centre opens 10am – 5pm, last entry to the Antarctic Journey 4:30pm. Attraction close on Christmas Day 25 December. Café open from 10am-4:30pm.
  • Penguin Parade 2023 session times - suggested arrival time to exchange tickets (for reference only, times may vary without notice):
  • 8:00pm 01-31Jan
  • 7:45pm 01Feb-28Feb
  • 7:00pm 01Mar-02Apr
  • 5:30pm 03-25Apr
  • 5:15pm 26April-01May
  • 5:00pm 02-15May
  • 4:45pm 16May-05June
  • 4:30pm 06-27June
  • 4:45pm 28June-10July
  • 5:00pm 11July-07Aug
  • 5:15pm 08-21Aug
  • 5:30pm 22Aug-18Sep
  • 5:45pm 19Sep-01Oct
  • 6:45pm 02-16Oct
  • 7:00pm 17-30Oct
  • 7:15pm 31Oct-13Nov
  • 7:30pm 14Nov-04Dec
  • 7:45pm 05-18Dec
  • 8:00pm 19Dec-31Jan2024
From AUD
$54.50

1 Key Facts

Included

  • 1. General viewing at Penguin Parade
  • 2. Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
  • 3. Entry to Churchill Island
  • 4. Entry to Nobbies Centre
  • Vaccination documentation no longer required upon check-in.
  • 【Winter hours】
  • Penguin Parade Visitors Centre opens at 5pm daily including Christmas Day 25 December. (All other attractions closed on Christmas Day.)
  • The penguins are wild birds, so the numbers and arrival times vary with the life-cycle activity, weather and seasons. Please refer to 'Other info' section for the guidelines of seasonal arrival times.
  • Churchill Island Heritage Farm opens from 10am weekdays and from 9am weekends, closes at 4:30pm, last entry 4pm. Attraction closes on Christmas Day 25 December.
  • Koala Conservation Reserve opens 10am - 4:30pm, last entry 4pm. Attraction closes on Christmas Day 25 December. Café is currently closed. Cold drinks, ice cream and confectionary are available through retail.
  • Nobbies Centre opens 10am – 5pm, last entry to the Antarctic Journey 4:30pm. Attraction close on Christmas Day 25 December. Café open from 10am-4:30pm.
  • Penguin Parade 2023 session times - suggested arrival time to exchange tickets (for reference only, times may vary without notice):
  • 8:00pm 01-31Jan
  • 7:45pm 01Feb-28Feb
  • 7:00pm 01Mar-02Apr
  • 5:30pm 03-25Apr
  • 5:15pm 26April-01May
  • 5:00pm 02-15May
  • 4:45pm 16May-05June
  • 4:30pm 06-27June
  • 4:45pm 28June-10July
  • 5:00pm 11July-07Aug
  • 5:15pm 08-21Aug
  • 5:30pm 22Aug-18Sep
  • 5:45pm 19Sep-01Oct
  • 6:45pm 02-16Oct
  • 7:00pm 17-30Oct
  • 7:15pm 31Oct-13Nov
  • 7:30pm 14Nov-04Dec
  • 7:45pm 05-18Dec
  • 8:00pm 19Dec-31Jan2024

Not included

  • 1. Transport from/to hotels
  • 2. Food & beverages not listed as Inclusions
  • 3. Souvenirs
  • 4. Travel Insurance
Destination Melbourne, Phillip Island
Address Penguin Parade/Nobbies Centre/Antarctic Journey: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922 Koala Conservation Centre: 1810 Phillip Island Rd, Phillip Island VIC 3923 Churchill Island Heritage Farm: 246 Samuel Amess Dr, Churchill Island VIC 3925
How to get there ● By Car
- Penguin Parade Visitor Centre is located approximately 169km south of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, takes about 2.5 hours; approximately 144km south of Melbourne Federation Square, takes about 2 hour 5 minutes.

- Churchill Island Heritage Farm is located approximately 153km south of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, takes about 2 hours 5 minutes; approximately 128km south of Melbourne Federation Square, takes about 1 hour 50 minutes.

- Koala Conservation Reserve is located approximately 159km south of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, takes about 2 hours 10 minutes; approximately 134km south of Melbourne Federation Square, takes about 1 hour 55 minutes.

- The Nobbies Centre is located approximately 172km south of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, takes about 2 hours 20 minutes; approximately 147km south of Melbourne Federation Square, takes about 2 hour 5 minutes.

- Free Onsite parking available

● By Public Transport
Unfortunately there is no direct public transport available. Most visitors drive or arrive on a coach tour. If you do not drive, please book one of the day tours that visits Phillip Island.
Operating hours
Penguin Parade Vary by seasons. Please refer to "Inclusions" section for session time.
Penguin Parade Visitor Centre 17:00 - Late
Churchill Island Heritage Farm 10:00 - 16:30 Last Entry 16:00
Koala Conservation Reserve 10:00 - 16:30 Last Entry 16:00
Nobbies Centre 10:00 - Close times vary seasonally Last Entry: approximately 1 hours before sunset
Christmas Day (25 December) Closed Attractions closed on Christmas Day, except for Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.
Check-in requirements Please ensure you arrive at the General Viewing grandstands at least 60 minutes before penguin arrival time. Regrettably, failure to arrive before this time will most likely be classified as no-show and result in forfeiting the booking and it cannot be refunded or transferred.

If you are not familiar with the area or travelling on a weekend or local public holidays / school holidays, please make sure you've checked your timetable or driving route beforehand, and allow extra travelling time for unexpected delays to ensure you do not miss penguin arrival.
What to bring/wear ● The Penguin Parade is at sunset and at the outdoor, suggest to bring warm clothes
● A rug to sit on the seats is also handy
● Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions, eg. jacket for cooler months.
● Comfortable enclosed walking shoes
● Water bottle, Snacks
● Umbrella / raincoat if rains
● Insect repellent
● Money / credit card for optional purchases
Other info 【Pre-bookings and updates】
- Bookings are highly recommended with at least 48 hours notice to avoid disappointment.
- Infants must be included in the booking requests.
- If you are planning to visit more than one attraction on the same day, please allow 10-20 minutes travel time between attractions.
- All attractions' operating hours may change due to maintenance, improvements or safety reasons. Please always check for updated information regarding scheduled maintenance and closures before purchasing, and when closer to travel date to plan your visit.
- For the latest updates, please refer to  https://www.penguins.org.au/visit/

【General terms and conditions - Penguin Parade】
● No photography or filming is permitted at the Penguin Parade. Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure penguins keep coming back to this special area please do not use your cameras, camcorders or camera phones at the Penguin Parade.

【Penguin arrival calendar】
● Penguins arrive at sunset each night. Please arrive at least 1 hour prior to penguin arrival time.
● Beach access doors will open approximately 1 hour prior to penguin arrival time.
● Penguin Parade duration is 50 minutes from the time the first penguin crosses the beach.
● Please allow extra travel time if visiting from mid-December to late January, during long weekends, school holidays or other peak periods, as traffic can get very busy.
● The penguins are wild birds. Numbers and arrival times will vary with the life-cycle activity and weather.
● Estimated penguin arrival times (Guideline Only)
January - 20:45
February - 20:30
March - 20:00
April - 19:00 (Daylight Saving Time) / 18:00 (Non-Daylight Saving Time)
May - 17:30
June - 17:15
July - 17:45
August - 18:00
September - 18:15
October - 18:45 (Non-Daylight Saving Time) / 19:45 (Daylight Saving Time)
November - 20:15
December - 20:30

2 Overview

Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, Victoria's wildlife island features spectacular coastal scenery and plenty of Australian wildlife. Visit the Penguin Parade, take a virtual tour at the new Antarctic Journey, see the koalas at the Koala Reserve, or let time unwind at Churchill Island.

Melbourne Phillip Island 3 Parks Pass: Penguin Parade General Viewing + Churchill Island + Koala Reserve

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Phillip Island is part of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve and encompasses wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands, woodlands and breathtaking coastlines which are protected and managed by world-renowned environmental and research programs. Habitat within Phillip Island Nature Parks supports significant populations of little penguins, hooded plovers, short-tailed shearwaters and other international migratory bird species, and mammals such as koalas, possums, wallabies, Australian fur seals and bats. 

 

Penguin Parade

The Summerland Peninsula in the south-west of Phillip Island is home to an estimated 32,000 little penguins – one of the largest colonies in Australia. The Penguin Parade represents approximately 10 per cent of the colony. Each night at sunset, little penguins (numbering in the hundreds or thousands depending on the season) make the march across the beach and return to their burrow homes in the sand dunes.

 

General Viewing

Can you hear the 'huk-huk' of penguins as they gather in their groups and begin moving towards the shore? Watch closely as they emerge from the waves, then waddle across the beach toward their burrows in the dunes.

 

Fun Facts
  • Little penguins are the smallest of the 17 penguin species and the only penguin that lives permanently in Australia.
  • There are approximately 32,000 breeding penguins on Phillip Island.
  • The first tourists visited the Penguin Parade in the 1920s.
  • In 1955 the State Goverment established a large reserve over the penguin colony.
  • The Little Penguin Scientific Advisory Committee was formed in 1966 and penguin counts and research programmes began.
  • The Phillip Island Nature Parks were established in 1996.

 

Koala Conversation Reserve

Explore the tree-top boardwalks at the Koala Reserve and see koalas up close in their natural habitat. Wander the extensive trails through the natural Australian bushland and enjoy the abundant bird life. The woodland is home to many animals including wallabies, echidnas and bats.

 

Things to do and see

  • Wander the two treetop boardwalks for superb up-close koala viewing.
    - Tree Top Koala Boardwalk: 800m loop – 20 minutes – easy
    - Tree Top Woodland Boardwalk: 600m loop – 20 minutes – easy
  • Explore the six hectares of Australian bushland on the easily accessible trails.
  • Lookout for wallabies, echidnas and colourful native birds.
  • Uncover the amazing lives of koalas with the interactive displays in the new visitor centre.
  • Learn more about what community groups like the Friends of Koalas or Barb Martin Bushbank are doing to help local wildlife.

 

What to bring

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses & hat
  • Reusable water bottle (drinking fountains are available on-site)
  • Insect repellent
  • Snacks
  • Binoculars & a camera (to capture memories of your visit)

 

Churchill Island Heritage Farm

Churchill Island is an important place to local Aboriginal people and was the site of Victoria's first crops and European building in 1801. Enter the farm and meet Max the Clydesdale horse or Gregory the peacock. Wander the old homestead and experience the daily heritage farming activities including cow milking, sheep shearing, working dogs and whip cracking. Churchill Island also boasts many beautiful walking trails amongst wetlands and beneath ancient Moonah trees.

 

Daily activities

Reference only, subject to change without notice.

  • 10:30 - Blacksmithing
  • 14:00 - Animal feeding
  • 14:30 - Sheep shearing
  • 14:45 - Working dogs
  • 15:00 - Whip cracking

 

What to bring

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses & hat
  • Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking
  • Reusable water bottle (drinking fountains are available on-site)
  • Insect repellent
  • Snacks
  • Binoculars & a camera (to capture memories of your visit)

 

3 Policy

Cancellation Policy

● If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
● If you cancel between 0 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
● If no show, no refund.

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