Penguin Parade

“We were two adults and I have to say, if you have small children, they might not get much out of this and will probably be tired and irritable after dark. That being said, there is a huge parking lot with paths to the visitor center. Inside the visitor center they have a cafe with food and drinks, we also saw an ice cream cart. Also inside the VC they have a ticket counter in case you want to upgrade your ticket to Premium or VIP stands. There is also a kids play area centered around penguins as well as some informational displays about the Little Penguins found here and the 17 other types of penguins. They scan your tickets before you are allowed on the boardwalk to begin your walk towards the beach. Along the way we spotted multiple wallabies and a Cape Barren Goose. After arriving at the seating area your best bet is to go as far down and to the right as you can to get the best view. We saw two different groups come out of the water from our vantage point about 6 rows back. They give you an estimate of when the penguins will emerge but our first ones were about 15 minutes later than that. After about 20 minutes of watch them come out, leave the seating area and head back to the boardwalk. They have low level lighting where you can see the penguins in the sand along with the hatchlings. We also saw an Australian possum. One note, after sunset no photos or videos are allowed and the volunteers WILL come around if they see you either your phone out.”

“A wonderful and educational experience and well worth the visit. The Penguin Parade is incredibly informative, with excellent interpretation and staff who clearly care about conservation and wildlife education. Learning about the penguins’ behaviours, habitats, and protection efforts really adds depth to the experience and makes watching them return home even more special. The viewing areas are well organised, and the experience is respectful of the animals while still allowing visitors a clear and memorable view. Watching the penguins waddle ashore at dusk is genuinely heart-warming and something you won’t forget. Great for families, couples, and visitors of all ages, especially those interested in wildlife and conservation. It’s not just entertaining — it’s meaningful, educational, and thoughtfully run. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. 🐧 Educational & informative 🌿 Strong conservation focus 🌅 Unique wildlife experience”

“AMAZING!!! The staff are very friendly and many of them were ready to help with any questions. Very knowledgeable staff also. We were on a tour bus and thoroughly enjoyed our time. Well worth paying extra to do penguin plus. I last visited 34yrs ago, it has changed a bit, but it was amazing watching the penguins come in from the ocean. All photos taken in daylight as this is when you can take photos. After dark no photography or video. Staff give you a qr code you can download photos. It is much better to be fully immersed in the experience anyway. The staff were very patient and polite when asking people to put their phones away. I don't understand why people can't follow instructions, as we were told the camera and phones damage the penguins eyes. If you want to visit the penguins then respect the penguins 🐧 and the staff.”

“Went as part of a tour group to see other parts of the island. Can highly recommend the experience, loads and loads of cute and unique wildlife. Stupendous scenery on the island generally. Well worth a visit. Top tip: make sure to walk around the boardwalk even as penguins emerge from the ocean as that's when the bush penguins are most active. Definitely worth just standing if you're able as then you can come and go from the stands as you please!”