Phillip Island's Famous Penguin Parade
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Port
Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All,62
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$119.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Calling all nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts -- lace up your hiking shoes and head to where the wild things are, on the southwest corner of Phillip Island. Few things in the world are cuter than hundreds of little blue penguins waddling up out of the water, crossing the golden sand, and returning home to their burrows at sunset.
Phillip Island's Summerland Beach is home to an estimated 32,000 breeding pairs of little blue penguins -- the largest colony in Victoria with more than 4,000 burrows. As soon as you arrive at Summerland Beach you'll disembark for a tour of the Visitor Center, where you'll learn about the island's wildlife through a series of interactive and educational displays. Then, at nightfall, watch an ancient ritual that is the culmination of the day for the penguins, who left their burrows about an hour before sunrise and have swum up to 62 miles at sea before returning to shore at dusk. This is astonishing given that the birds (sometimes also known as fairy penguins) are the world's smallest penguins, measuring just 13 inches tall and weighing only two or three pounds. This is your chance to watch this amazing 'Penguin Parade', which has been enchanting visitors since 1920 -- a bucket-list adventure that is absolutely not to be missed.
Notes:
It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Photography is not permitted. Participants must be able to (dis)embark the coach unassisted.