Phillip Island holidays

Watch in wonder as crowds of little penguins waddle their way home from a long day in the Southern Ocean, at one of the most amazing wildlife experiences in the world. Phillip Island’s best-known attraction is its nightly Penguin Parade, when visitors make the four-hour round trip from Melbourne to view the spectacle every evening.

Make your way from the visitor centre to a viewing platform, or underground bunker – and wait. Suddenly, a cute little head pops up on the shoreline. Another follows. Then another. Soon, hundreds – or even thousands – of adorable little penguins gather, ready to make their way up the beach to their hobbit-like homes in the dunes. You can watch these amazing creatures from purpose-built boardwalks, as they complete their journey. It’s a lovely sight, which can be enjoyed by every member of the family.

Little penguins might be Phillip Island’s showpiece attraction, but the wildlife adventures don’t stop there. A leading light in environmental conservation, Phillip Island is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, snakes, dolphins, seals, whales, and over 200 species of birds. In fact, if you visit the rocky north coast, you’ll be able to see black swans, herons, ibis, masked lapwings, and spoonbills.

Look out for wild koalas in the treetops of the bushlands. Spot Australian fur seals around the aptly-named Seal Rocks by the Knobbies, at the island’s western tip. Walk among 100 different native Australian species at Phillip Island Wildlife Park, near the town of Cowes. And peer out from coastal hilltops and peaks such as Pyramid Rock, where you can see pods of whales and dolphins splashing in the ocean below.

Extend your stay beyond the Penguin Parade, and discover an island of rugged shores, bountiful wildlife, and stunning scenery.

You can learn to surf in the gentle waters of Smiths Beach, or watch the experts take on the swells of The Colonnades, Anzacs, and Magic Lands at Woolamai. Hike the Cape Woolamai Trail to its highest point and search for whales and dolphins in the waters below.

Witness the incredible geological formations carved by the Southern Ocean at the Pinnacles in the east and the Nobbies in the west. Cross beachside dunes to explore underground at Forrest Caves, part of the traditional coastal home of the Boon Wurrung Indigenous people. Circle the island on a sailing trip. Or enjoy the comforts of dry land with a visit to the cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and ice cream parlours of Cowes, before ending the day with a refreshing seaside sundowner.

If you’re hoping to see the Penguin Parade, don’t worry – it operates all year round. Generally, little penguin numbers are higher in the spring and summer months from September to February, but this isn’t a set rule.

Weather-wise, November to March is the warmest and driest time of year, when you can enjoy outdoor activities, nature walks, and wildlife adventures. October brings the MotoGP to Phillip Island, and the crowds with it. June to September sees the highest rainfall, and some days can drop as low as 8°C in the height of winter. Temperatures can rise as high as 25°C between December and February, but tend to average 20°C most summer days.