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Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon Tour

  • Melbourne
  • Full-day Tours
  • Tour in English
  • Chinese audio guide

Overview

Duration: 7-10 hours depending on the month of travel
Group size: Maximum 24 people
Accessibility: There is only a small amount of walking involved in this tour, so no significant level of fitness is required

Highlights
Afternoon departure, no early start!
Spectacular coastal views at The Nobbies & Seal Rocks
Guided visit at the world-famous Penguin Parade

Phillip Island tours are a must-do when visiting Melbourne, and this relaxed afternoon departure is perfect for those wanting to enjoy a slower start to the day before heading out to one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife destinations.

Departing Melbourne in the afternoon, we travel south-east towards Phillip Island, passing through scenic coastal landscapes as your experienced driver-guide shares stories and insights about the region along the way.

Our first stop is at the spectacular Nobbies Centre located at the island’s most westerly point. Here, you can wander along the coastal boardwalks, taking in breathtaking views across Bass Strait and Seal Rocks. This area is home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony, and you may even spot Little Penguins resting beneath the boardwalks as they wait for nightfall.

The rugged coastline and crashing waves make this one of the most dramatic and photogenic locations on the island, offering a true taste of Phillip Island’s wild beauty.

As the day winds down, we make our way to the world-famous Penguin Parade, the highlight of the tour. Taking our seats just before sunset, we wait in anticipation as the Little Penguins begin to emerge from the ocean.

Watch as hundreds of penguins waddle across the beach and make their way back to their burrows in the sand dunes. Witness their charming behaviour as they reunite with their partners, often greeting each other with a little shuffle, a call, or even a playful dance. It’s a truly special wildlife experience and one that remains a highlight for visitors from around the world.

After the parade, there is time to follow the boardwalks and observe the penguins up close as they settle into their burrows for the night.

We then begin our return journey to Melbourne, arriving later in the evening with unforgettable memories of one of Australia’s most unique and heartwarming wildlife encounters.

What to bring
– A refillable water bottle
– Spending money for dinner
– Appropriate clothing for the weather, we recommend layers

The transfers buses will look like this, with the words “Go West” on the side. The specific bus model will be arranged according to the actual situation on the day.

What’s included

Included

  • All vehicle transfers from single departure location with tour commentary.
  • Nobbies & Seal Rocks.
  • Standard entry with guide accompaniment at Penguin Parade.
  • Friendly and informative tour guide.
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.

Not included

  • This tour picks up from a single departure location, so hotel pickups are not included.
  • Meals & beverages.
  • All inclusions are as indicated on the websites at time of travel. If not stated as included the item/s are at guests own cost.

Ages

Child rates applies for children aged 0 – 15 years

How to use

After the booking is confirmed, we will send a confirmation to your email. On the day of tour, go to the departure point and bring your confirmation ticket to redeem the ticket to participate in the tour.

Guests must contact Go West Tours 24-48 hours in advance of their tour date to reconfirm their pick up location & time. Reconfirmation contact number is (03) 9485 5290

This tour only picks up at a central meeting point at the corner of Market and Flinders Streets, next to the Immigration Museum (400 Flinders Street).

The bus has "Go West" written on it; please look for it.

Good to know

Do we stop for lunch and dinner on this tour? We have a designated dinner stop for this tour. Please just ask your guide on the day of your tour. You're also welcome to bring your own packed lunch and/or dinner for the day.

Is photography permitted? Photos are permitted at all locations, except at the Penguin Parade. Penguins' eyes are very sensitive, and bright or sudden flashes can scare them. Please do not use any cameras, including phones and camcorders, at any time during your visit to the Penguin Parade.

Do you run your tours rain or shine? Yes, our tours operate rain or shine to ensure you don't miss out on the experience!

No prams or strollers permitted.

Download the Go West Tours app from the App Store or Google Play prior to your departure for access to our tour language commentary. Available in Arabic, Malay, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Hindi.

The client is responsible for all travel arrangements and costs to/from point of commencement/conclusion of the tour

Where the passenger occupies a seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the operator or service providers, agents or co-operating organisations shall be liable for any illness, injury or death or any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of the accident or incident

The client is responsible to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for your selected tour as well as any necessary vaccinations and to comply with all applicable laws

Government regulations prohibit smoking inside tourist vehicles within Australia and New Zealand. Smoking is restricted to appropriate comfort stops made en-route

Personal belongings brought on tour are carried at the traveller's own risk. Go West Tours will not be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any personal items

Please advise clients to bring appropriate clothing for all weather conditions and to wear sensible shoes. We also recommend that they bring sunscreen, water bottle and a hat

We request that guests only bring small carry bags on our tours that can be held on the lap comfortably throughout the tour if there is insufficient space beneath the seat in front

Due to the limited storage space on our vehicles, large items such as prams, strollers and oversized luggage are not permitted on board. Please note that for the comfort and safety of all passengers, we reserve the right to refuse any items that we deem too large or that may obstruct the aisle or emergency exits

Should guests attempt to bring prohibited items on board our tour vehicles they may be denied entry and the tour fare may be forfeited

Our tours are conducted in modern air-conditioned vehicles (ranging in size from 12-24 seats).

All our vehicles are fitted with upgraded seating which ensures that guest comfort is complemented by significantly improved visibility when compared with similar vehicles fitted with standard seating

Disclaimer

After the product is successfully booked, we will send you a confirmation voucher. The main information about the reservation and the precautions for participation will be provided on the confirmation voucher. Please read it. If you do not have any feedback, we consider that you have read and know all the information on its confirmation.

As an intermediary agency, we are only responsible for making travel product reservations for tourists.

We recommend that tourists purchase travel insurance. Tourist product suppliers such as tourist attractions, hotels and transportation companies will be directly responsible for the quality, service and safety of travel products. We are not responsible for any safety issues with the products ordered.

In the event of an unexpected situation without insurance, we will only assist in handling it.

If the booking is forcibly cancelled due to the reasons of the travel product supplier, we will refund the full amount corresponding to the booking without additional compensation.

We will try our best to assist tourists to communicate and negotiate solutions with tourism product suppliers.

If your booking includes hotel accommodation, please note that check-in time at Australian hotels is generally 13:00-15:00. Specific check-in times vary by hotel, so please confirm your check-in time in advance. Early check-in is not recommended. If you need to check in early due to special circumstances, please note that early check-in fees may apply and must be negotiated and paid directly with the hotel.

We are not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal belongings during the tour. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the tour if conditions do not permit. An alternative will be provided if possible. It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure we have accurate information: airline and airport dates and times; correct travel dates with the correct codes; the traveler's age, etc. Please notify us immediately of any changes.

We are not responsible for any loss or damage to baggage, valuables, or personal belongings carried during the tour. We are not liable for any illness, injury, or death resulting from the deterioration of any traveler's health condition. By booking this tour, the traveler agrees to the policies outlined herein and accepts that all activities involve some risk, and the traveler will not hold our company, its employees, or subcontractors liable for any injury or loss suffered by the traveler or to the traveler's property. For your safety, when participating in indoor or outdoor activities with inherent risks (such as swimming, rafting, diving, skiing, ice skating, snow play, skydiving, etc.), please ensure you fully understand the weather conditions, your personal physical condition, and relevant announcements and advice from professional organizations before proceeding.

Visitors should pay attention to their physical condition. Those with heart disease, high blood pressure, colds, fever, or who are intoxicated should exercise caution when participating in activities or follow medical advice. If you feel unwell, please stop the activity immediately and seek assistance from on-site staff.

When visiting attractions or participating in activities, please strictly adhere to the instructions provided by the venue or staff. Ensure you fully understand the associated risks (refer to venue announcements or the safety waiver required for signature for specific details), cooperate as required to implement appropriate safety precautions, and strictly refrain from engaging in any dangerous behaviors during the activity.

The wildlife sightseeing listed in the itinerary refers to wild animals. They move freely and are not under human control; seeing them is not guaranteed on every trip. No refunds or cancellations will be arranged for those who do not see wildlife.

No refunds will be issued for missed trips due to the visitor's own subjective reasons.

The tour duration is only an approximation. If the tour ends early, it may be due to weather conditions requiring an earlier conclusion.

Due to weather, traffic, and other reasons, we reserve the right to change the itinerary. The order of the itinerary may be adjusted; please refer to the actual itinerary.

No show: Ticket holders who 'no show' without prior cancellation or notification are not eligible for a refund.

Multi-day tours are all group tours for individual travelers. Driver and guide arrangements will be made according to the itinerary and travel conditions, and may change daily. Final departure and driver/guide information will be provided by the tour operator.

For products with airport transfers: Airport transfers are arranged uniformly and will not be based on different flight times. Thank you for your understanding.

Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. By completing your booking, you agree to all the above terms and conditions.

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