Little Penguin Nightly Parade — Bicheno

About this spectacle

Each evening as the sun dips below the horizon, little penguins — the world's smallest penguin species — emerge from the Tasman Sea and waddle purposefully ashore at Bicheno's Diamond Island shoreline. Guided tours position visitors metres away as the birds stumble and shuffle across the sand and into the coastal dunes where their burrows wait. You can hear the soft honking calls the penguins make to their mates and chicks, and watch them navigate obstacles with endearing determination despite their small stature. The experience unfolds in near-darkness, with guides using red-filtered torches to illuminate the birds without disturbing them. The coastal dune setting, the sound of breaking waves, and the intimate proximity to these wild creatures — entirely absorbed in their own nightly ritual — make for a quietly magical encounter. This is not a performance but a genuine wildlife event that happens reliably each night regardless of crowds.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Nov — Feb

Getting there

Nearest airport: LST. Nearest city: Launceston.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.