Queenscliff

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Penguin Parade
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gippsland

Penguin Parade

8.6
4.4/5
211 reviews

Penguin Parade is located at Summerland Beach on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island and is the signature viewing experience of Phillip Island Nature Parks, taking place every day around sunset: after a day of foraging at sea, flocks of little penguins ride the waves ashore, first gathering in the shallows and peering around, then waddling across the beach and following a fixed route back to their burrows in the dunes. Spectators on the viewing stands and boardwalks can watch this "little parade" of the natural world up close, and the penguins often pass just a few steps away. The island is home to tens of thousands of little penguins. They have blue feathers on their backs and snow-white bellies, and as adults they stand only just over 30 cm tall and weigh about one kg; their round bodies and waddling gait make them endearingly cute. During the day they head out to sea to forage, and after dusk they return to their nests together, traveling back and forth between the sea and their burrows along almost unchanged routes for generations, and on site you can also hear their calls rising and falling. A few points are worth noting when watching: little penguins' eyes are very sensitive to light, so cameras and video recorders cannot be used on site, and only by waiting quietly can you avoid disturbing them; after sunset the seaside is windy and rather cool, so even in summer it is advisable to bring a warm jacket and to arrive early to wait for the penguins to come ashore. This spectacle takes place all year round, and during the spring and summer of the Southern Hemisphere (roughly August each year to February of the following year), which is the breeding season, the penguins come ashore and move in and out of their burrows more frequently, so the scene is usually livelier. △ The little penguins leave the island during the day to forage at sea, and return to their nests on the shore in groups at night to rest. △ These little penguins are timid and highly sensitive to light, so photography and video recording are prohibited on site; only by waiting quietly can you avoid disturbing them. △ The Penguin Parade can be viewed year-round. From September to January, the weather is warm and it is the breeding season, so the penguins are more active and it is a good time to watch them.

Summerlands · 50.2km from Queenscliff

Experiences you can't miss in Queenscliff

Featured Day tours in Queenscliff

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Queenscliff: 1.5-hour Harbour Wildlife Sightseeing Cruise Tour
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Queenscliff Harbour: 3.5-Hour Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour
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4.9/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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From€129.52
 Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1.6k reviews· 17.7k booked
Duration: 7 hrs
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No optional zoo visit, includes Gibson Steps | Melbourne Great Ocean Road Trail + Twelve Apostles Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1.1k reviews· 9.8k booked
Duration: 6.8 hrs
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Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.3k reviews· 16.1k booked
Duration: 6 hrs
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94.8% of travelers recommend
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12 apostles 90 minutes/no backlight] Melbourne Great Ocean Walk + Twelve Apostles 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.6k reviews· 19.5k booked
Duration: 7.1 hrs
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96% of travelers recommend
From€22.61
Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade one-day tour
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4.7/5
· 289 reviews· 1.7k booked
Duration: 6.1 hrs
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93.4% of travelers recommend
From€106.19
Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Penguin Island Day Tour [Visit two popular attractions in one day]
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4.6/5
· 189 reviews· 3k booked
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90.5% of travelers recommend
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Featured Water activities in Queenscliff

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Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner
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· 39 reviews
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Shark Dive Xtreme at Sea Life Melbourne
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Mornington Peninsula: SUP, Hike, & Hot Springs Trip w/ Lunch
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Torquay: Surf Experience on the Great Ocean Road
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· 18 reviews
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Melbourne: Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
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Sorrento: Seal and Sea Dragons 2-Hour Snorkel Experience
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5.0/5
· 1 review
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From€80.22
Melbourne: Iconic City Sights Kayak Experience
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Queenscliff

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Melbourne Great Ocean Road skydiving [high-altitude ocean view skydiving/free skydiving certificate]
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4.6/5
· 16 reviews· 168 booked
Duration: 1 hr
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Melbourne Great Ocean Road 15,000 feet skydiving Skyone | pickup available/photos and videos
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4.9/5
· 12 reviews· 64 booked
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Melbourne Puffing Billy steam train classic tour with transfer - optional Chinese/English driver guide
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4.6/5
· 11 reviews· 484 booked
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Featured City sightseeing in Queenscliff

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[Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 32 booked
Duration: 6.9 hrs
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Geelong Audio Tour: Maritime Marvels and Heritage Highlights of Geelong
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Melbourne: Walking tour of the underground past - twin tales of gold rush wealth and slums just a street apart
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Melbourne Old Gaol 2-hour walking tour: crime and punishment behind the gold rush
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Melbourne city area Hosier Ln street art fun photo challenge group 2-hour tour
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Australia Great Ocean Road 1-day Tour [24-seat Bus with City Hotel Transfers]
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Queenscliff Today's weatherIntermittent clouds 14-26℃
Queenscliff weather for the next 2 days11/11: 14-16℃, 11/12: 14-16℃

Free things to do in Queenscliff

What travellers say about Queenscliff

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Anonymous user7 September 2026
5.0
Very enjoyed in Penisula Hot Spring with friends. Very nice environment for hot spring. Not so crowded and staff are friendly and helpful. High recommend to visit when you are travelling to Melbourne

Peninsula Hot Springs

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Anonymous user6 October 2026
5.0
Such a beautiful experience! Amazing views, friendly staff, and everything was well organized. Definitely worth a visit!

Arthurs Seat Eagle - Base Station

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Journeyyyme17 September 2023
4.0
The atmosphere is very good, not many people. It is a historical place for us to study, walk and enjoy the sea.

Point Nepean National Park

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willem_king24 October 2026
5.0
It's best to buy the plus ticket. The visitor center has an estimated time when the penguins will come ashore, so just arrive a little early. The estimated time is very accurate; the penguins appear little by little as soon as the time comes, and then they come ashore in groups. They're tiny and very cute.

Penguin Parade

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Anonymous user5 June 2026
5.0
Good Experience!

Skydive Great Ocean Road

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gapa_gap6 November 2026
5.0
Big animals, big walks, and even bigger appreciation for having a car instead of living in the wild. 🦒😂Werribee Open Range Zoo, definitely worth the trip!

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Popular cities near Queenscliff

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Queenscliff?

Don't miss these attractions in Queenscliff: Peninsula Hot Springs, Arthurs Seat Eagle - Base Station, and Point Nepean National Park. If you like Day tours, try Queenscliff: 1.5-hour Harbour Wildlife Sightseeing Cruise Tour. If you enjoy Water activities, try Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Queenscliff: 1.5-hour Harbour Wildlife Sightseeing Cruise Tour, Queenscliff Harbour: 3.5-Hour Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour, and Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Trip. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 10 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Queenscliff is around EUR 18.46 – EUR 129.52. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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