Posh Penguins

Posh Penguins

Posh Penguins
5
Eco ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
About
Posh Penguins offers offers exclusively private tours for 1-5 guests on Phillip Island, including the visitation of the famous penguin parade as well as other wildlife attractions. Our comfy SUV and MPV vehicles are all air conditioned, fitted with tinted glass windows with added UV protections, complimentary on-board wifi and bottled water and Apple-Car-Play. All attractions we visited are included in the price, with the exception of upgraded ticket options for the Penguin Parade which is at an additional cost and strictly subject to availability at the time of booking. We offer free pick ups and drop off's at most Melbourne CBD, Southbank and Docklands hotels.
Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles47 reviews
Excellent
46
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0
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0
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1

Eddy
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
This was a comfortable way in which to see the Penguins. We paid extra for the underground bunker which allowed us access to a well designed underground bunker and also into Penguins plus, which got us closer to the action and the little Penguins parade back up the beach.

The vehicle was clean, tidy and to a high standard. James, our guide was very pleasant, and made every effort to bond with our group answering most of the questions thrown at him from the group.
Written 6 April 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.
SexyChef? I'm guessing this is Eddy? I hope I'm correct given that I knew you have a restaurant and you did ask some intriguing questions about some of the more peculiar Australian habits, during the tour :) I'm glad you enjoyed the tour and particularly the upgrade to the 'bunker' (which is also a great option when it rains as it is the ONLY place at the Penguin Parade spectator area which is covered). Thankfully it wasn't raining on your tour, but the local weather here is far from predictable. Thanks again, James :)
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,707 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
You will enjoy a trip to see the Penguin Parade more if you make the trip in style. Posh Penguins will make sure you get the best view of these adorablde penguins. Many eople come from around the world to see Penguin Parade. Who wants to sit for hours on a bus when you can do the trip in comfort?
Written 15 June 2021
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.
Wow, thank you for that glowing review. There can't be too many other people on Trip Advisor with such an extensive travel background and knowledge as you. With over 10,000 reviews from around the world (including the many other Private tours that you have been on in the past) it really is heartwarming to recieve 5 out of 5 stars. The Penguin Parade is really the highlight of any visit to the island. So yes, after many years of experience, we know which upgrades will offer each particular guest the best option for their needs/interests/comfort, as different upgrades will suit different people. For example........ ........Coming in the winter time when there is a higher chance of rain - we would normally always recommend the Underground Bunker which is the only section that is covered from the elements. ......For the intrepid explorer, we recommend the Ultimate Adventure Tour where you will be taken away to a secluded beach for a much more Eco Tour influenced experienced. .....For our more Inquisitive guests, we suggest to choose the Guided Ranger Tour. Here you can enjoy a more informative journey with your own dedicated Penguin Parade Centre Ranger, who will guide you around the site whilst you enjoy their commentary and have your own questions answered via personal headsets. We are happy to discuss any of these options prior to making a booking, in as much detail as you need. In addition, regardless of which option you choose, we also give our guests cushions, warm blankets to snuggle into and binoculars to enhance their Penguin Parade experience. This is one of the many perks that sets us apart from other tour companies. Thanks again Jeffry. It really was a pleasure to personally show you around the island and I hope the COVID Pandemic doesn't slow your extensive travelling down too much from reaching that 10,000th review! Warmest Regards, James, Posh Penguins
Written 25 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kelly S
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
The island is brimming with wildlife. That’s if you know where to look. Thankfully our guide did. Apart from some of the real wild animals dotted about the island, we also saw koalas at the koala conservation centre. They are in what could be described as a semi wild environment, so not only are you guaranteed to see them, you don’t feel bad for them like at some wildlife parks where they only have limited space (or perhaps just one tree). They are free to move around, which makes spotting them that bit harder, but also more fun. The Penguin Parade was, like for many others that visit the island, our highlight.
Written 9 February 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.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your glowing feedback. We love the challenge of finding 'real wild animals' during our time on the island. One day is never the same, so we are always excited what we are going to find. And yes the Koala Conservation centre certainly makes koala spotting easier and they do some amazing conservation work as well (which often goes unnoticed). Warm regards, James Posh Penguins
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Don
Inveraray, UK20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Our friend had recommended this company after they had done a 1 day tour. We wanted to see Phillip island AND the great ocean road so decided on the 3 day tour option. Every element was spot on. The tour covers a lot of distance but the 3 days were nicely split up into manageable chunks. This is a great option to choose if you want to see both areas.
Written 7 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.
On ya Don! Your friend had great taste :o Thanks for the review! Glad to hear we were 'spot on'. We only focus on these 2 areas, so we are well versed with works and what doesn't. It also helps that we have lived in both areas for an extended period of time, so we have really got to know the little hidden areas that most other tours zoom past. Their loss, your gain! James :)
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JJBols
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
My friends and I had a great day out. We choose to visit the wildlife park, where we got great photos holding a koala. We also fed the cute kangaroos. The island was beautiful, particularly when we got off the beaten track. The parade is well organised and fun.
Written 27 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.
Thanks Pizzlover. Yes the island really is a magical place if you can find some of the hidden spots off the beaten track. But, lets keep them a secret. We don't want other people to find out ;)
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tracey
Wellington, New Zealand30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We had initially wanted to do 2 days along the Great Ocean Road and a day out on Phillip island, but wanted a break in between the tours in which to explore melbourne city centre. Thankfully, after getting in touch with Posh Penguins, James was able to put together a tour which enabled us to visit the great ocean road on the Monday, have 2 days in Melbourne, and then continue the tour along the great ocean road on Thursday and Friday. This all fitted in perfectly to our schedule. We were picked up and dropped from our hotel each time - on time - and both tours were great. Phillip island heavily concentrated on wild animals, whilst the great Ocean Road portion was all about the rugged scenery.

It was nice to have the same guide for both trips, as we had built a rapport with him, and he got to know our little quirks (ie give us coffee regularly or we become grumpy!) which can be important when travelling such long distances.
Written 20 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 Tracey, Yes, often it helps to discuss possible options and dates via email prior to booking, especially when you are looking at doing a multi-day tour. Often guests rush and book online with an agent, making it difficult to make changes (as normally everything is locked in). Thankfully we were able to save you a bit of money at the same time as giving you a few days off in-between Phillip Island & The Great Ocean Road. Both these tours are BIG days so having that day off to rest and perhaps see something more culturally significant in Melbourne is a nice buffer to have in-between the days. I'm glad those extra caffeine shots worked a treat ;) James :)
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

m0nkey26
Melbourne, Australia28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019
Superb private tour to Phillip island to see the penguin parade. James was a great driver and guide. Our highlight was the wildlife park which we stopped at on the way down to the island. I would loved to have taken some photos of the cute penguins, but photos are banned there!
Written 9 January 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.
Thank you M0nkey for the review, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the wildlife park that we visit en-route to Phillip Island. For some of our guests it is often the first time they have seen Australian wildlife in a semi-wild location. And being able to hand-feed the kangaroo's and wallabies is of course a great experience in itself and often a highlight for many. Yes it is unfortunate that you cannot take photos of the penguins during their parade back to their homes. Penguins have very sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure the penguins keep coming back to this special area, the Penguin Parade Centre does not permit the use of camera's or smart phones (although you can still carry these items with you during the tour). Safe Travels, Posh Penguins
Written 28 March 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cork_boy
Cork, Ireland394 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
We used Posh Penguins back in 2018 for our first trip to Phillip Island. We have family that live in Victoria, so we normally make the long trip over every 1 or 2 years. This time we were travelling with friends who had never visited, so we decided to use them again. We had James as our driver last time. This time we had Tom. He was just as good, safe, professional and just wanting us to have the best experience.

The trip back in 2018, we choose to visit the Vietnam museum from their ‘optional extras’ list - which was really good. This time, my wife insisted on choosing the Wildlife Park. Again, this option was very good. We got to hand feed kangaroos, got a picture up close holding a koala (well, as close to holding it as you are allowed) and met some other native Australia animals that our friends from Europe had never seen before.

The rest of the tour had a similar pattern to the previous year. A visit to the stunning Churchill island, where this time we took part in some of the activities. My wife successfully tried the cow milking, whilst I comically failed at the whip cracking. We also watched an interesting sheep sharing demonstration and a working dogs display. Heaps of wildlife here as well. Very varied - black swans, wallabies, funny purple hens, highland cows.....all sorts!).

We visited a koala refuge, got some great pictures. Then we went on a bush walk and saw some wallabies in their natural habitat. Dropped in at a local surf spot, watched a few wipeouts, then grabbed dinner.

Dinner venue was not great (at The Penguin Parade), but it would seem all the visitors eat in the same place as there is literally nothing else anywhere nearby for miles and miles. So I guess this unavoidable. The food wasn’t bad, but it was quite busy and the food is at tourist prices. Our guide did make us feel better about the experience - all the money spent in this venue goes back into the fight for local penguin conservation.

For the Penguin Parade last time we had the Penguins plus upgrade. This time.....we choose the ‘Underground’ upgrade, which was fortunate, as it was raining in the evening, and this is the ONLY place you are undercover AND it’s limited in number, so we were one of the very few tourists who didn’t get wet. I strongly recommend upgrading your ticket, at least to this option. This was very easily done when we made the booking, and we just paid the difference to Tom on the day. It’s worth noting here that the main grandstand can have 2,000+ people, so it was much more civilised to get an upgrade. Plus We were only charged what we would have paid if we had of upgraded directly ourselves, so it’s nice to see a company not seeing it as another way of making extra money in the side.

So yeah, another great day out with Posh Penguins. I feel I have now seen everything there is to see on Phillip island so won’t be using their services again, but I would certainly recommended them to my friends and family.
Written 26 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.

Mary H
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
We could not find many operators still doing tours down to phillip island due to covid. Eventually we stumbled upon Posh Penguins. Being a private tour, the price was a bit more than we had anticipated to spend, but we went with it anyway. In the end, the extra cost was worth it.

Our guide James was was really friendly. He knew the island very well and we were taken to some incredibly nice secluded spots, to be at one with nature and away from the tourist masses.

The Penguin Parade blew me away. Take their advice and book the upgrade. As the sun began to set, the rain started to set in. However, James had secured what they call 'underground bunker' tickets so we could not only shelter from the rain, but also we gained a much better view from the bunker. It was only an extra $45 each (from memory) but again, totally worth it.

The drive between melbourne is pretty mundane, but we had a fun chat with James on the way down in the morning and slept for the entire journey on the way back to Melbourne.
Written 6 July 2021
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 Mary, It was lovely to meet you and your husband Jeff. Yes, per person our costs are much higher than a group big bus tour, but I am really happy you thought it was worth the extra cost in the end. I'm also glad you took our advice on choosing the underground bunker. As you were visiting in the winter (July), it really is the safest choice. And its great to see the penguins from that angle (and you still have the flexibility to leave the bunker and watch them from the same height as everyone else as well). James :)
Written 9 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sir Don
64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Loved our day out. Very relaxed, at our own pace. Saw everything we had on our list. Great tour to see Australian wildlife and of course the Penguins.
Written 24 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 Weedykk, Super happy to hear you thought it was a great tour. And yes, it certainly is the tour to do in Victoria, if you love wildlife. James :)
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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