Little Penguin Nightly Parade (Phillip Island) — Phillip Island

About this spectacle

Each evening at Summerland Beach on Phillip Island, hundreds of little penguins — the world's smallest penguin species — emerge from the sea and waddle up the beach to their burrows in the dunes. Visitors gather on elevated boardwalks and viewing stands as darkness falls, watching the tightly packed groups, called 'rafts', summon the courage to cross the sand together. The penguins are entirely unperturbed by the hushed crowds, waddling and calling to one another in the fading light. The spectacle is intimate and surprisingly comical — the birds stumble, preen, and occasionally squabble just metres away. The sound of their braying calls fills the air as they disappear into the tussock grass. It is one of Australia's most dependable wildlife encounters, happening every single night of the year without exception.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Dec — Feb

Getting there

Nearest airport: MEL. Nearest city: Melbourne.

Booking options

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