Visitor numbers surge in a record run of sell-out summer nights

Phillip Island Nature Parks has experienced its strongest tourist season in years, with a record run of almost three weeks of sell-out nights for Victoria’s much-loved Penguin Parade this summer.
Visitor data shows that in December and January, the Penguin Parade was sold out on 35 nights, including for 19 consecutive events.
The Koala Conservation Reserve also experienced strong visitor numbers, with interest from overseas travellers.
In addition, the Ocean Sounds Festival on Churchill Island on January 6, headlined by
Xavier Rudd, sold out to a crowd of 5,000.
Phillip Island Nature Parks General Manager, Tourism Mark Anderson said international visitation had strengthened significantly, supported by consistently strong domestic travel, with visitors keen to capture the island’s inimitable attractions.
“Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade has long been one of Victoria’s most popular and magical tourism attractions,” Mr Anderson said.
“Domestic visitors from Victoria and all parts of the country continue to support us in droves, with two-thirds of our guests hailing from Australia. But our international market is showing some exciting new visitation trends, particularly around Asian travellers seeking out our unique offerings.”
Mr Anderson said Nature Parks’ fastest growing international visitor demographic was travellers from China, which is now Australia’s fourth largest visitor market, and many Chinese tourists are enjoying guided, customised tours in smaller groups. He expected an influx in Chinese visitation for the Lunar New Year.
“Chinese New Year, which will be celebrated on February 10, is shaping up to be another busy time for us, with the Chinese government recognising the celebration with an eight-day holiday. The Penguin Parade is already sold out on several nights, and it is likely the dates for the entire week will sell out as the time gets closer.”
Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions are also a tourist stop of choice for visitors from Singapore, the USA, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, data shows. The number of visitors from South Korea has now exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and arrivals from India have returned to pre-COVID numbers.
Phillip Island Nature Parks offers a wide array of experiences, including the long-loved Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island.
It is the only commercial venue in Australia where visitors can see little penguins in their natural environment and is a rare place where tourism and conservation work in tandem to celebrate and safeguard Australia’s biodiversity.