Tourism bounce-back the highlight of the year for the Nature Parks

A record run of sell-out nights at the Penguin Parade and over one million visitors to Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions are the major highlights of the organisation’s most recent Annual Report.

Visitation was up 18% from the previous year, with strong domestic support and growing international visitation, with almost three weeks of sell-out nights over last summer, and another 20 nights sold out in February 2024.

The little penguin population is thriving, estimated at 37,000 across the Summerland Peninsula despite facing some setbacks early in the breeding season. 

Other highlights include:

• Winning the silver award in the Major Tourist Attractions Category at the prestigious Victorian Tourism Awards.
• Commencing the first phase of the ‘Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands Redevelopment’ project thanks to a $5 million Victorian State Government grant and the continued State Government support for critical infrastructure replacement. 
• Collaborating with partner organisations and the community to deliver ‘Sharing Our Shores’ and ‘Dark Sky So Shearwaters Fly’ campaigns to support nesting shore birds and migrating short-tailed shearwaters. 
• Celebrating conservation efforts in the Threatened Species Report 2023 for threatened flora and fauna on Phillip Island (Millowl) and for Victoria. 

Phillip Island Nature Parks Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Basterfield said: 

“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the local Phillip Island (Millowl) community and a huge contingent of valued stakeholders and advisory committees who have guided our approach to many of our operations and initiatives.”

As always, our achievements rely on the hard work and dedication of every person on our team. We are proud to be supported by dedicated staff, volunteers, contractors, partner organisations and community groups, who each play a role in the success of the Nature Parks. We thank them for their passion and output.”