Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Brighton Bathing Boxes and Wildlife Park Tour
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Brighton Bathing Boxes and Wildlife Park Tour
By Hit the Road Tours
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About
Experience the best of Melbourne’s natural beauty on a small-group tour that lets you tick off three top attractions in just one day. Ideal for time-pressed travelers and wildlife enthusiasts, this tour transports you between Maru Koala and Animal Park and Phillip Island—home to the world-famous Penguin Parade—with ease.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 2-100, max of 10 per group
Duration: 10h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- Tick off Melbourne's best wildlife attractions on a day trip
- A stress-free option for families and wildlife lovers
- Avoid having to navigate and hire a car by letting someone else drive
- Get picked up and dropped off in a convenient location in central Melbourne
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Parking Fees
- Disposable Face Masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Entry/Admission - Maru Koala and Animal Park
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
What's not included- Dinner
- Start:
- State Theatre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004, AustraliaDeparting time: 11 am - From State Theatre on St Kilda Road
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 72740P3- Most travellers can participate
- **CovidSafe Tour** - A series of practices were put in place to make your experience safer: 1. Symptoms free policy; 2. Sanitisation: regular cleaning of high contact areas; 3. Social Distancing; 4. Protective Equipment: Hand sanitizers and face masks available on the tour
- **Symptoms Free Policy** - In the case you are feeling unwell, with symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or headache, for your and all other passenger’s safety we ask you not to join the tour. We might ask to have your temperature measured before entering the minibus.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 72740P3
From
AU$159.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
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Itinerary
- 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004, AustraliaDeparting time: 11 am - From State Theatre on St Kilda Road
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- GontNooh0 contributionsAn AMAZING day at the Great Ocean Road!I thought it would be a run of the mill day tour where we got on an off the bus to checkout the great ocean road at lookouts. But I was WRONG!!! In a very good way!!! We covered a wide variety of attractions including: 1. Short walks to amazing lookout points/beach 2. Short walk into a eucalyptus/fern forest 3. Helicopter ride to see the 12 apostle (optional and not included in package but totally worth it and recommended) 4. Chocolaterie and ice creamery 5. Ad hoc stops when koalas and kangaroos are spotted Anne, our driver and guide took very good care of us along the way: 1. She provided good commentary along the way about the scenery and also background info about the area 2. She gave good recommendations of what to eat at the meal stops 3. She made sure everyone kept to the time 4. She was very helpful with the photo taking, and she took great photos! This tour definitely exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to my friends and anyone who is evaluating a great ocean road day trip.Written 12 December 2024
- sofiaalvimf0 contributionsStunning experience!I have travelled quite a lot through Australia and I was still so taken aback by the Great Ocean Road, the landscapes are unique and it’s full of little towns on the way! This trip was very well organized and our guide was super knowledgeable, always contributing with lots of interesting facts and in general such a lovely person! She also asked us about our preferences so she could adapt some parts of our itineraries to see kangaroos, go to a chocolate factory etc Really recommend!Written 12 December 2024
- chongjing20240 contributionsA relaxing day on a coastal drive with a view to kill for !Itinerary was great, with stops approx every 45 min., enabling us to stretch and soak in the views….and what a view ! Also it is a small group tour , facilitating one-on-one attention from Mr Chen, our guide, who was knowledgeable, and enthusiastic throughout our journey .Written 12 December 2024
- Travel382946411680 contributionsTHIS IS A MUST DO!!!!!This was an amazing day with our tour guide Matty and the others on the tour. Matty was hilarious, informative and a great guide! We saw koalas and kangas and the beautiful coast of Victoria! It was great being with a small group and doing the tour in reverse kept it from being overwhelming and busy.Written 10 December 2024
- audreylK6581XC0 contributionsFabulousAnnie is a very fabulous and knowledgeable guide. To ensure our group was able to see wild kangaroos up close, she drove us to different locations and tried different methods to lure the kangaroos closer to the group. Kudos😁😁Written 10 December 2024
- P697PBgrahams0 contributionsFantastic day along the Great Ocean RoadChris was a brilliant guide and thoroughly entertained us throughout the day with his local knowledge and personal experiences. The scenery was amazing along the Great Ocean Road and it was a very well organised trip. I would definitely recommend it.Written 9 December 2024
- fernandacT7018GU0 contributionsAwesome dayAwesome day with incredible views, staff were very friendly and punctual. Enough commentaries for every place to sightsee and our tour guide a really nice guy. I would love to do this one again with friends and family.Written 9 December 2024
- Nora2zero220 contributionsA Fun-Filled Journey Along the Great Ocean Road! 🌊🏞️We had an absolute blast on our Great Ocean Road adventure! This was our second time taking this tour — the first was a chilly winter excursion, and this time we soaked in the summer sun with a fresh new itinerary. The rainforest walk was a total breath of fresh air — literally! And shout-out to our awesome guide, Jimmy Chan, who not only kept things lively and fun but also had some serious photography skills. Who knew we’d get a tour guide and a personal photographer rolled into one? Since it was a small group, the vibe was relaxed and timing was easier to manage, though some stops did feel a bit speedy. Lunch at Apollo Bay was a whirlwind! The fish and chips were delish, but we wished we had more time to savor every crispy bite. Plus, with only one restroom cubicle, it felt like a race against time! Honestly, prefer the fish and chips from Port Campbell — nothing beats that seaside nostalgia. One small quirk we noticed: the company seems to split the groups by background, which felt a bit odd. All in all, it was a day full of stunning sights, ocean breezes, and rainforest magic. Would we do it again? Absolutely! 🐨🌿Written 9 December 2024
- Stay682307538180 contributionsAmazing tripThis was a great trip and definitely worth doing. Our guide/driver was Marty - he was friendly and knowledgable. If you get the chance to do the helicopter trip when you get to the 12 Apostles, it is definitely worth it - not included but there is a chance if you want to do this.Written 9 December 2024
- K3489SCchristinap0 contributionsSummer Adventure From FloridaWe had read great reviews prior to booking and were prepared to have a great time, but this tour far exceeded our expectations! The fact that this tour is completed reverse is a game changer! It was wonderful to see all of the amazing views first, following by some more relaxing, yet still beautiful other stops! Our driver, Marty, was very knowledgeable and passionate about his job! We felt very safe hugging the walls of the Great Ocean road aboard his van! We especially loved the smaller group, which meant the perfect amount of time at each stop! If you are traveling to Melbourne, this is a must do day-trip!Written 8 December 2024
- marilynwathes0 contributionsGreat tripBrilliant tour. Picked up from our hotel. Patrick our tour guide was very good. He told us lots of interesting facts at each location. Made great efforts to enable us to see the best views of wildlife. A well priced trip that I would highly recommend.Written 7 December 2024
- DeborahE11490 contributionsLots of sitting in the minibus due to distance covered.Minibus gave smaller view from window although the guide was very knowledgeable. Take your own headphones/iPods if you are not happy to listen to classical violin music when guide isn’t talking.Written 6 December 2024
- U702GIflorianr0 contributionsEnjoyed every secondMartin did a very good job guiding us through the complete tour, showing us all expected wildlife and providing a lot of background informationWritten 6 December 2024
- MrLean0 contributionsAmazing scenery and wildlifeVery well organized tour. Amazing scenery and wildlife. Nice and knowledgeable guide. A lot to see in 1 day, within close distance to Melbourne.Written 6 December 2024
- Jaykann0 contributionsAmazing experience and thanks to MartinI have a did so many road trips. But our guide Martin was the best ever guide. Very interactive, funny and kept us engaged through the journey. The best!! Whole fellow passengers and myself we all enjoyed his company more than a trip itself. He took us to amazing places around Great ocean road. Restaurant he recommended at Apollo bay was nice and affordable. Overall amazing life experience this trip and great value of money. Highly recommended tour company to do this reverse itinerary tripWritten 5 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
38 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
jm2432016
Naples, FL81 contributions
Jan 2020
The tour itself was excellent. Our tour guide, Chris, was knowledgable and energetic. This review would have have been 5 star except for the fact that the bus ran out of gas and we landed up getting back to the hotel around 1:20 AM. Anyway heading to the Penguin Parade should ensure they bring a jacket to stay warm.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
This review was posted to the wrong business.
There's no tour guide Chris running Phillip Island Tour for us and we never ever ran out of gas in any road.
Could you please reassign the review to the correct tour operator?
Thanks,
Orlando
Written 19 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tyler P
4 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
This was a great overall trip with tons of experiences from the get go. From Melbourne, the group makes its way to Brighton Beach and beyond for a day filled with firsts. The animal conservatory (stop 2) was a great opportunity to see native Australian animals, even though there was a ton of indigenous wildlife to be seen as well. After several pit stops and dinner, arriving for the penguin parade was a great way to cap the trip. Everyone took notice of the natural amazement that came with the penguins returning in flocks from a day of hunting, something I never thought I’d see.
Orlando was a great host, very friendly and informative throughout the day. If I were to return to Melbourne and do the trip again, I would likely request to be in one of his tours.
All in all, the experience is a must, even with an impressive list of competing attractions in the area.
Orlando was a great host, very friendly and informative throughout the day. If I were to return to Melbourne and do the trip again, I would likely request to be in one of his tours.
All in all, the experience is a must, even with an impressive list of competing attractions in the area.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks a lot Tyler! Happy to hear you've a wonderful experience with us:)
Written 2 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve
1 contribution
Aug 2019
I had the sheer pleasure of witnessing the Penguin Parade - and it was one of the most wonderful exhibits I have EVER seen. Watching the Penguins come out of the water in droves - and making their way to the overnight nesting area beneath us was beyond memorable. For anyone who has not done this, do it now. !!!
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for these nice reviews, and yes we do agree: the penguins are awesome :)
Cheers
Written 5 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer B
Albury, Australia44 contributions
Overall experience was great...we got close to the the penguins as we got up from our seating early because of large crowd and walked back along the boardwalk and saw them as they waddled alongside to find their burrows...the building containing cafe etc is great, pretty expensive outing even for family!
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarinacbAustralia
Australia2 contributions
A very nice tour. Gui was very attentive and gave a lot of information during the tour. He was happy to explain and translate things in portuguese throughout the tour. I recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore things around Melbourne.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much! And thank you for recommending our tour:)
Written 26 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David
Arcadia, CA12 contributions
The guide was the driver of a 12(?) passenger van. He was very courteous and accommodating. Since we sat in the very front seat by the driver, we were able to have numerous questions answered. The tour came with tickets for the Wildlife Park, and we also purchased tickets to have pictures taken with a koala when we arrived the park. It gave us the opportunity to pet the soft fur of the koala. You might also want to purchase food for the kangaroos. The kangaroos gravitated toward tourists with food. An opportunity to pet and take pictures with numerous kangaroos. For the Penguin Parade, you'll want a warm jacket. I was glad I brought a warm jacket, but I am from southern California. Someone from Chicago might not consider it as being cold. I was glad that we chose this company with a passenger van than to tour around with a bus load of people.
Written 12 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frances L
Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We had a fantastic experience with Hitheroad Tour leaded by our awesome guide Jack! The trip was smooth and well planned, Jack was doing a great job to get things organised. He was extremely friendly, caring, helpful and knowledgeable! We all got looked after very well! We truly enjoyed our journey all along the way to Philip Island and back! Thanks so much for the great work! We are so happy and definitely highly recommend Hittheroad Tour! A+++
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fang Ting L
3 contributions
Nov 2019
Matthew is a wonderful guide, he is extremely helpful and so genuine in providing us the best service! The tour was carried out very well and I had such an enjoyable time :D This is already my second tour with Hit The Road Tours and I'd definitely sign up for more!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chantal F
Ottawa, Canada5 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
I really enjoyed this trip. Relaxed, fun and very caring tour guide. GUI gets two thumbs up! I would recommend hit the road tours.
Written 14 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zuraina A
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia192 contributions
Aug 2019
We took this tour from Hit The Road Tours and our driver is Dhruw. There were only 5 of us and we felt like a private trip. We left at 10:30 am as it was a long journey. Brighton Bathing Boxes is an iconic place to visit and a must place to take photos. The colour of the sea is so blue just like painting colours. The tour came with tickets for the Moru Wildlife Park, but you must purchase tickets if you wish to take photos with the koala. When you are there buy food to feed the kangaroos. If you wish to have lunch Moru Park has good Western food to choose from. Or else you can just have lunch at Panny's Chocolate factory for some Asian food. After that, we were taken to Nobbies and have breathtaking views from the platform. This is a must place to visit to see the sunset or just relaxing at the benches surrounding the place. For Penguin Parade, choose Penguin Plus viewing as you will be very close to the thousands of penguin colonies who were making happy noises returning home to their burrows from a long day fishing. Please be reminded, no cameras or video or any kind can be used during watching the Penguin Parade as the light could blind them. And don't forget to bring a warmer jacket as the breeze from the sea would be quite chilly.
Written 5 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanting to know if this tour is operating on July 3, 2021 as I am wanting to book for 4 people? Thanks
Written 25 April 2021
hello, I am thinking about taking this tour. do you have the upgrade option for Viewing Platform for penguin parade?
Written 23 July 2019
Yes, they have an upgrade option but you have to contact the respective organiser.
Written 1 August 2019
Do you have any date available from 8/6-11/6?
Written 14 May 2019
Is the Penguin Parade seasonal? We are planning a trip in December 2019. Is that a good time to view the Penguin Parade? Thanks
Written 18 February 2019
There is a website that has the arrival times of the penguins per month, and it showed that the Penguin Parade begins at 8:30 pm on December.
Written 12 March 2019
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