What is the best time of year to see the penguins at Phillip Island?

The Penguin Parade is undeniably one of Victoria, if not Australia’s, most beloved tourist attractions.

Locals and visitors alike love having the opportunity to see these adorable little penguins waddle up the Phillip Island shoreline after a difficult day’s fishing, as it’s just such a joy to behold!

You can experience the Penguin Parade at any time of the year, as these furry little flightless birds don’t take a day off when there’s family to feed, but there are better times of the year for humans to get the best experience.

For parents with little ones of their own, the best times of the year to see the Penguin Parade are in late autumn/spring, when the weather is a little warmer but the sun still goes down early. We all know how cranky kids can get when they’re tuckered out, so school holidays around these times are perfect for families!

The Penguin Parade is one of the top attractions on Phillip Island, but there are a bunch of other awesome activities you do with the fam when on the island – let’s take a look at a couple.

• See the seals, too!

  Because it’s not just all about the island’s famous penguin crew – there is also a huge colony of fur seals inhabiting the rocks just around the corner from the parade. There are some 20,000 fur seals lazing about at Seal Rocks, making it another awesome activity for animal-loving families and tourists alike!

• Learn to surf at one of the island’s famous beaches

  “Philly” is one of Australia’s favourite surfing destinations, even playing host to the National Surfing Reserve. The island has plenty of beaches where both grommets and experienced wave riders can test their skills on quality swells, including Woolamai Surf Beach, YCW Beach and, naturally, the National Surfing Reserve.

• Visit the charming Churchill Island

  Churchill Island is home to a bunch of gorgeous walking and cycling tracks, as well as a farm that is full of activities the young ones will love! From blacksmithing demonstrations to cow milking, sheep shearing and whip cracking, this is a family fun day that is great for the kids and parents, too. There is also a wonderful cafe serving up delicious local meals, the perfect nourisher after a morning’s activities.

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