Phillip Island is about two hours south-east of Melbourne and famous for the Penguin Parade: every evening hundreds of little penguins come ashore from the sea. Add seals, surf beaches and coastal walks. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
By car you reach Phillip Island from Melbourne in about two hours via a bridge at San Remo and Newhaven. By public transport you take the train and bus to Cowes, but on the island itself you're limited without a car. Many book the Penguin Parade as a day tour from Melbourne.
The Penguin Parade takes place every evening all year; the time depends on sunset. In summer it's pleasantly warm and busier; in winter cold and windy — bring warm clothes, as you sit outside on the beach in the evening.
An eco hostel with a rooftop terrace just past the bridge onto the island, with bike hire. The cheapest way to stay on Phillip Island and see the Penguin Parade without a night drive back.
The powerful, patrolled surf beach on the south coast has reliable waves all year. There are strong currents — only swim between the flags. The Cape Woolamai Walk starts from the beach.
Every evening at dusk hundreds of little penguins, the smallest penguins in the world, come ashore from the sea and waddle to their burrows in the dunes. You watch from stands and boardwalks. Entry costs money — book early. Photography is completely banned during the parade — leave the camera and enjoy it.
A boardwalk runs above the cliffs at the western tip of the island. Out on Seal Rocks lives one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies. Free and ideal before the Penguin Parade; most beautiful in the late afternoon.
Red granite rocks rise from the sea at the end of the Cape Woolamai Walk. The loop takes about two hours and is often windy. Most beautiful at sunrise, when the rocks glow red.
The island's main town has a pier, a calm beach on the bay side, and fish and chips and cafés on the Esplanade. This is where you shop and eat before the Penguin Parade. About two hours from Melbourne by car.
No, taking photos and filming are completely banned during the parade so as not to disturb the penguins.
Every evening at sunset; the exact time changes with the season and is listed on the operator's website.
By train and bus to Cowes, or on a day tour from Melbourne that includes the Penguin Parade.
All spots on the Phillip Island map. Nearby: Melbourne and Wilsons Promontory.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.