Phillip Island Nature Parks FAQs

FAQs

Find answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the money go from paid attractions at Phillip Island Nature Parks?
Phillip Island Nature Parks is a self-funded organisation. All revenue from ticket sales is reinvested into our conservation, research, education, wildlife rescue, and environment activities. We thank you for your support.

Do I need to book my tickets?
Get in early! We recommend you pre-book your visit at any time of year to ensure you don't miss out. This is especially important during peak periods such as the December and January Summer Holidays, School Holidays, Easter and long-weekends, and special celebrations such as Chinese New Year, when it is essential to pre-book your tickets to the Penguin Parade to avoid missing out. Bookings are essential all year round for our ranger guided tours, Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing.

Do I need to visit all of the attractions in one day?
If you are purchasing a Bundled ticket with more than one attraction, you will need to book the date of your visit to the Penguin Parade, which can be on different days. The date chosen for your Penguin Parade visit will be printed on your ticket. You may then visit the other attractions on your tickets, eg the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island Heritage Farm or Antarctic Journey once within six months of the printed date, so you can spread your visit out and create your own unique experience.

What time do penguins arrive?
Penguins arrive at sunset every day of the year. View our penguin arrival calendar to check what time that is during your visit.

We suggest you arrive one hour before penguin arrival time to explore the visitor centre displays, grab a meal at the cafe and head to the beach. Underground ticket holders should plan to arrive 30 minutes before penguin arrival time. Ranger-guided tours each have a specific departure time, so please check your tickets.

If you're visiting during School Holidays, Long Weekends or special events, please allow extra travel time as traffic can be heavy.

Is the Penguin Parade suitable for children?
The Penguin Parade is a great experience for all ages. We have child tickets for 4-15 year olds, inclusive. Children under 4 are free.

Is the Penguin Parade an “all weather event?
You can see penguins all year round, regardless of the weather. The Penguin Parade is outside, so pack a rain coat or umbrella if rain is predicted.

What should I bring to the Penguin Parade?
The Penguin Parade is at sunset and outside. We suggest you bring warm clothes and a rain coat if it looks like rain. A rug to sit on the seats is also handy. Please note – unfortunately cameras or camcorders cannot be used at the Penguin Parade.

Can I bring my dog to the attractions?

Visitors are not permitted to bring animals onto any Nature Parks Site at any time (other than a guide, hearing and registered assistance dogs or a companion animal required for medical reasons as documented in a medical certificate).

Why can't I take photos at the Penguin Parade?
Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure penguins keep coming back to this special area we ask you do not use your cameras, camcorders or camera phones after sunset at the Penguin Parade.

Is there somewhere to eat at various Phillip Island attractions?
Each of our attractions except the Koala Conservation Reserve has a cafe on site serving coffee, snacks, drinks and full meals.

Do I need my own transport on Phillip Island?
Public transport does not operate between our parks. If you do not have your own transport, we recommend taking a coach tour.

Visit the Melbourne Visitor Information Centre located at Federation Square in Melbourne for more information, or phone +61 3 9658 9658

Melbourne Visitor Information Centre - Click here

Please note that the public transport V-line bus that travels between Melbourne and Phillip Island does not operate after the Penguin Parade. The V-line bus travels in a direct route and does not stop at the Nature Parks attractions. If you require overnight accommodation visit the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre website.

Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre www.visitphillipisland.com

How can I redeem my discount coupon?

Discount vouchers cannot be redeemed online. Please call +61 3 5951 2830 to confirm your discount coupon is valid and/or available to redeem.

Do I need to print my ticket?

There is no need to print your ticket as you can present your e-ticket on your phone or tablet directly to the Gate Rangers at the rear of the Visitor Centre to access the penguin viewing area. If your e-ticket does not have a bar code, please tell ticketing staff on arrival that you made an internet booking and state the last name the booking was made for. For Guided Ranger Tours, Ultimate Tours, VIP Tours & Little Wonder Tours, please check in at the Tour Desk Kiosk station opposite the Ticket sales area. Please note the opening times, penguin arrival times and other important information on your ticket.

Is there disabled access

All of our attractions offer:
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilets
- Wheelchair access through visitor centre and around park grounds
- A complimentary wheelchair if required.

At the Penguin Parade we offer:

- A designated viewing area for wheelchair guests, right next to a path of penguins; Complimentary buggy service available for visitors with Mobility needs, click here for more information.

Living with wildlife
Living alongside wildlife can be extremely rewarding but may also present an unwanted human and wildlife interaction. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) provides great advice for living with wildlife.

Can I pay cash?

Only contactless transactions are available at all ticketing, retail and food & beverage outlets – cash not accepted.

Help! I have lost personal belongings during my visit to the Nature Parks

If you have lost personal belongings during your visit to one of the Nature Parks attractions, please call us on +61 (3) 5951 2800 (during office hours ie: Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, excluding Victorian public holidays). Lost personal belongings can include but are not limited to valuable items (eg: a phone, wallet, camera, handbag, electronic device) or non-valuable items (eg: clothing, hats, scarves, food).

All valuable items of lost property will be listed in our Lost Property Register. Where the owner of a valuable item is identifiable, an attempt will be made to contact the owner and return the valuable item. To claim a valuable item, you will need to provide identification, be able to clearly describe the item, and indicate the approximate location of where the item was lost. Valuable items can be collected from the Penguin Parade Visitors Centre. Postage costs will be required in advance if you require the items to be returned via the mail.

Non-valuable items will be stored at and can be collected from, the service counter at the Nature Parks location where the item was lost or found. Any non-valuable lost property will be retained for a period of up to 30 days, after which it will be disposed of through donation to a charitable organisation.

Can I buy your retail items online?

Our online store is currently unavailable. We invite you to visit our retail store before or after your visit.

Is the Antarctic Journey open?

The Antarctic Journey is currently closed. The Nobbies Centre itself remains open as normal, and visitors can still access the scenic boardwalks and wildlife viewing platforms, Nobbies Café, retail store, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream store and toilets. If you have any questions, please contact us on 03 5951 2830. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans.