About this tour
Spend twelve hours exploring Phillip Island from Melbourne with a small group of fifteen or fewer. Start with quality coffee and wine tasting at a local cellar door, move through Cowes' beachfront shops, then head to The Nobbies for golden-hour views across Bass Strait. The day peaks at Summerland Beach as little penguins emerge from the ocean at dusk—Australia's most watched wildlife spectacle. Gourmet lunch and sparkling wine included throughout.
Highlights
- Wine tasting and grazing at boutique Phillip Island Winery
- Wood-fired lunch with seasonal Victorian produce
- Koala viewing at Conservation Reserve (optional upgrade)
- Sunset drinks overlooking The Nobbies cliffs
- Little Penguins returning to shore at Summerland Beach
- Guaranteed window seat on comfortable midi-coach
- Maximum fifteen-person group with local guide
What to expect
You'll depart Melbourne with barista coffee and cruise south in a comfortable coach fitted with WiFi and charging ports. At Phillip Island Winery, taste local drops paired with a grazing platter before settling into a wood-fired lunch. Cowes offers an hour to wander boutiques and beaches at your own pace. The afternoon takes you to The Nobbies, where sweeping ocean views and a glass of sparkling arrive together. As light fades, you'll head to Summerland Beach for the Penguin Parade—little penguins emerge from the surf in groups, waddling across the sand to their burrows. It's not theatrical; it's genuinely wild.
Good to know
Bring a light jumper for the coast—wind picks up at The Nobbies. The koala reserve upgrade costs extra but puts you face-to-face with animals in native scrub. Infants travel free on laps; prams work fine for the beach sections. The parade runs year-round but penguin numbers peak September to April.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.