Maximum 10 travellers
Experience Phillip Island with a small, social group rather than a coachload. More personal, more relaxed and much easier to actually explore.
Penguins at sunset. Adventure all day.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Hiking Adventure
Make the journey to the Penguin Parade an adventure of its own. Hike the wild Cape Woolamai coastline, search for native wildlife, meet koalas and explore the Nobbies before watching Little Penguins return home at sunset — with a maximum of 10 travellers and a local outdoor guide.
Maximum 10 guests6.8 km coastal hikePenguin Parade includedGrade 2
Don't just see the penguins.
Make a whole adventure out of it.
The Penguin Parade is one of Australia's great wildlife experiences. But we don't think getting there should mean spending the rest of your day travelling between quick sightseeing stops.
So we turn the entire journey into an adventure. Grab coffee and something to eat from a local bakery in San Remo, hike 6.8 km around Cape Woolamai and the Pinnacles, search for native wildlife and meet koalas. Then stop for dinner in Cowes before exploring the wild coastline at the Nobbies.
Then, as the sun goes down, watch hundreds of Little Penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle home through the dunes. Maximum 10 travellers. One huge day. And a lot more than a ride to the Penguin Parade.
The Hike & Seek difference
Penguins at sunset. Adventure all day.
The Penguin Parade is the headline act. We just make sure the adventure starts long before the sun goes down.
A proper 6.8 km adventure
Most people come to Phillip Island for the penguins. We add a proper coastal hike around Cape Woolamai and the Pinnacles to make the whole day an adventure.
Wildlife from start to finish
Wallabies, echidnas, shearwaters, koalas, seals and Little Penguins. The Penguin Parade is the grand finale to a day built around wildlife.
Explore the wild island
Cape Woolamai and the Nobbies reveal a completely different Phillip Island — rugged cliffs, huge ocean views, surf beaches and wild coastal landscapes.
Local food & island atmosphere
Start with a bakery stop in San Remo, then settle into Cowes for dinner after visiting the koalas. Time to refuel and enjoy the island's seaside atmosphere.
Local guides, not a script
Hike with friendly outdoor guides who love exploring Victoria and create the feeling of a road trip with friends rather than a conventional coach tour.
Your adventure
Hike. Explore. Waddle.
A bakery stop in a seaside town. A proper coastal hike. Wild Australian animals. Dinner in Cowes and some of Victoria's most spectacular coastline. Then, as darkness falls, hundreds of tiny penguins emerging from the Southern Ocean and waddling home.
This isn't just transport to the Penguin Parade. It's a Phillip Island adventure built around it.
The adventure
Melbourne→San Remo→Cape Woolamai→The Pinnacles→Koalas→Dinner in Cowes→The Nobbies→Penguin Parade
Seasonal
Melbourne Pickup
Meet your local guide and a small group of fellow travellers in central Melbourne before we hit the road for Phillip Island. With a maximum of 10 guests, expect a relaxed road-trip atmosphere, plenty of time outdoors and a full day of adventure building towards the Penguin Parade at sunset.
Pickup:180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
First Stop
San Remo Bakery Stop
Before crossing the bridge to Phillip Island, we stop in the seaside town of San Remo at a local bakery. Grab a coffee and something to eat, stretch your legs and settle into the road-trip rhythm before we head onto the island and hit the trail.
Daytime
Cape Woolamai
Now the adventure properly begins. Cape Woolamai is Phillip Island at its wildest — huge surf beaches, rugged cliffs, coastal heathland and uninterrupted views across Bass Strait. Instead of pulling up for a quick photo, we're going to explore it on foot.
Daytime
The Pinnacles Coastal Hike
Follow a 6.8 km guided circuit through Cape Woolamai towards the dramatic Pinnacles. We'll hike above pounding surf, across open coastal landscapes and through important wildlife habitat, with plenty of time to stop for views, photos and whatever we discover along the trail.
On the Trail
Wildlife Along the Way
Keep your eyes open while we hike. Wallabies, echidnas and seabirds all call this part of Phillip Island home, while Cape Woolamai is also one of Australia's important shearwater habitats. During whale migration season, there's even a chance of spotting whales moving through Bass Strait.
Afternoon
Koala Conservation Reserve
Next we swap the coastline for eucalyptus woodland. Wander the treetop boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Reserve and look for koalas resting and feeding among the branches, while learning more about one of Australia's most iconic native animals.
Dinner
Dinner in Cowes
After visiting the koalas, we head into the seaside town of Cowes for dinner. Take a break, choose something to eat from the local cafés and restaurants and enjoy the relaxed island atmosphere before we continue to the Nobbies and Penguin Parade.
Before Sunset
The Nobbies
As sunset approaches, we head to Phillip Island's spectacular western edge. Walk the boardwalks above crashing waves, rugged cliffs and the blowhole, look across towards Seal Rocks and take in one last dose of wild coastline before the main event.
Sunset
The Penguin Parade
As the sun disappears over Phillip Island, the day's unforgettable finale begins. Hundreds — and at peak times thousands — of Little Penguins emerge from the ocean after a day of fishing and waddle across the beach towards their burrows. Watch the world's smallest penguins return home in the wild, then follow the boardwalks as they make their way through the dunes beside you. It's one of Australia's great wildlife experiences and an incredible finish to a full day exploring the island.
Evening
Return to Melbourne
Settle in for the drive back to Melbourne after a day of coastal hiking, wildlife, local food and Little Penguins returning home at sunset. Return time varies throughout the year because our adventure works around the natural timing of the Penguin Parade.
Don't just see the penguins.
Make a whole adventure out of it.
Maximum 10 travellers. 6.8 km coastal hike. Wildlife all day. Penguins at sunset.
Is this your kind of day?
Made for travellers who want more than the Penguin Parade.
If you're excited about seeing the Little Penguins but would rather spend the rest of your day hiking wild coastline, searching for wildlife and exploring with a small group than sitting on a coach, you'll probably fit right in.
You'll love this tour if you:
- ✓Want the Penguin Parade to be the finale to a full adventure.
- ✓Prefer a maximum of 10 travellers over a large coach group.
- ✓Want to hike the 6.8 km Cape Woolamai circuit.
- ✓Love wild coastline, huge ocean views and being outdoors.
- ✓Want opportunities to see wildlife throughout the day.
- ✓Enjoy local bakery stops and a relaxed dinner in Cowes.
- ✓Enjoy meeting active, like-minded travellers.
- ✓Want a local outdoor guide rather than scripted commentary.
It may not be the best fit if you:
- —Only want transport to and from the Penguin Parade.
- —Prefer sightseeing with minimal walking.
- —Are uncomfortable walking approximately 6.8 km.
- —Need a fully accessible, step-free itinerary.
- —Don't enjoy active days outdoors or late seasonal returns.
Your local crew
Guided by outdoor people, not a script.
Hike & Seek is a small independent Melbourne tour company created for travellers who want to properly experience Victoria's wild places. Our guides are friendly, First Aid qualified and genuinely passionate about hiking, wildlife and the landscapes we explore.
Your guide hikes Cape Woolamai with you, helps spot wildlife and shares the island as someone who genuinely enjoys being outdoors — not someone racing between attractions with a memorised script.
Expect good conversation, local knowledge and a relaxed road-trip atmosphere with a small group of travellers who love getting outdoors.
First Aid qualifiedOutdoor guidesIndependent & localSmall groups
The essentials
What's included
- ✓Friendly local outdoor guide
- ✓Small-group transport
- ✓Guided 6.8 km Cape Woolamai circuit
- ✓Koala Conservation Reserve entry
- ✓The Nobbies coastal boardwalk
- ✓Penguin Parade General Viewing entry
- ✓Wildlife spotting opportunities
- ✓Delicious snacks
- ✓Central Melbourne pickup
- ✓Maximum 10 travellers
Not included:Meals, coffee, drinks and personal expenses. We stop at a local bakery in San Remo on the way to Phillip Island and in Cowes for dinner after visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve.
Before you book
Phillip Island tour FAQs
How is Hike & Seek different from a typical Phillip Island Penguin tour?
You still get the incredible Penguin Parade — we just make the journey there much more of an adventure. With a maximum of 10 travellers, we hike a 6.8 km circuit around Cape Woolamai and the Pinnacles, look for native wildlife, stop in San Remo for local bakery food, visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, enjoy a dinner stop in Cowes and explore the Nobbies before finishing with the Little Penguins at sunset.
How much walking is involved?
The main adventure is an approximately 6.8 km guided circuit around Cape Woolamai and the Pinnacles. You'll also do easier walking at the Koala Conservation Reserve, the Nobbies and around the Penguin Parade.
How difficult is the Cape Woolamai hike?
The Cape Woolamai circuit is Grade 2 and considered easy to moderate. No previous bushwalking experience is required, but you should be comfortable walking approximately 6.8 km. The route includes formed tracks, gentle hills and occasional steps.
Is Penguin Parade entry included?
Yes. General Viewing entry to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is included in the tour price.
What happens at the Penguin Parade?
Around sunset, Little Penguins begin returning from the ocean after spending the day feeding at sea. You'll watch them emerge from the water, cross the beach and return towards their burrows before following the boardwalks through their colony. The timing and number of penguins varies naturally throughout the year.
Is the Koala Conservation Reserve included?
Yes. Entry to the Koala Conservation Reserve is included, giving you time to explore the treetop boardwalks and look for koalas among the eucalyptus trees.
What other wildlife might we see?
Depending on the day and season, there are opportunities to see wallabies, echidnas, shearwaters, other seabirds, koalas and seals. Whales may also be visible offshore during migration season. These are wild animals, so sightings outside the Penguin Parade can never be guaranteed.
Where do we stop for food?
We stop at a local bakery in San Remo on the way to Phillip Island for coffee and something to eat. After visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve, we stop in Cowes for dinner before continuing to the Nobbies and Penguin Parade.
Are meals included?
Meals, coffee and other drinks are purchased separately. You can choose something from the bakery in San Remo and pick where you'd like to eat during our dinner stop in Cowes. Snacks are included in the tour.
Why does the tour leave at different times during the year?
The Penguin Parade happens around sunset, and sunset changes significantly between Melbourne's winter and summer. Our departure time changes throughout the year so we can enjoy the Cape Woolamai hike and the rest of Phillip Island before arriving for the Penguin Parade at the right time.
What time does the tour depart?
Departure varies seasonally because the day is built around sunset and the Penguin Parade. We depart from 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Please check the exact departure time shown when booking and on your confirmation.
What time do we return to Melbourne?
Return time changes throughout the year with sunset and the Penguin Parade. Your booking will show the expected timing for your departure. Traffic and conditions can also affect the exact return time.
Who normally joins Hike & Seek tours?
Our Phillip Island adventure is designed for travellers who are excited to see the penguins but also want to hike, explore wild coastline, search for wildlife and make an adventure out of the entire day. The small group makes it easy to meet active, like-minded travellers.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable trainers or hiking shoes, at least 1 litre of water, warm layers and a waterproof jacket. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are recommended. Phillip Island can become cold and windy after sunset even when Melbourne has been warm, so bring an extra layer for the Penguin Parade.
Can I take photos of the penguins?
Photography rules at the Penguin Parade are set by Phillip Island Nature Parks. Please follow the current instructions provided by Nature Parks staff and your guide during your visit.
Can I bring luggage?
Storage is limited in our small-group vehicle. Please contact us before booking if you need to bring anything larger than a small day bag.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made within 24 hours are generally non-refundable.
Penguins at sunset. Adventure all day.
Make a whole adventure out of Phillip Island.
Join a maximum of 10 travellers for Cape Woolamai, wild coastline, koalas, native wildlife and an unforgettable evening watching Little Penguins waddle home from the ocean.
Check Availability