1 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Penguin Parade
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
1 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Penguin Parade
By Posh Penguins
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 12-99
Duration: 11h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Entrance fee's to all the attractions that we visit are included in the tour price
- All Fees and Taxes
- Pre-paid entry to The Penguin Parade (General Viewing) *Upgraded tickets available at aditional cost
- Pre-paid entry to the Koala Conservation Centre
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- WiFi on board
- Professional Driver / Guide
- Warm blankets for the Penguin Parade
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Entry/Admission - Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Entry/Admission - Maru Koala and Animal Park
- Entry/Admission - Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Wildlife Park
- Entry/Admission - Churchill Island
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Nature Parks - Churchill Island
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Nature Parks - Koala Conservation Reserve
- Entry/Admission - F Oswin Robert Koala Reserve
- Entry/Admission - Purple Hen Winery
- Entry/Admission - National Vietnam Veterans Museum
- Entry/Admission - The Nobbies Centre
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Winery
- Entry/Admission - Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre
What's not included- Upgraded ticket option to the Penguin Parade (*subject to availability if you wish to upgrade).
- Food and beverages
- Entry/Admission - Seal Rock
- Entry/Admission - A Maze'N Things
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, AustraliaFrom outside Eureka Tower observation deck - underneath the palms trees
Pickup details- The pick up time of this tour changes monthly, as it is dependant on the arrival of the penguins after sunset, which changes every day. - In peak summer time (November - March), the departure is between 11am and 1pm with a return time of between 10pm - midnight. - In winter months (and outside of summer) the pick up time is between 10am-11am with a return time of between 9pm-11pm. We will confirm the exact pick-up 24 hours prior to the tour date itself. Our standard pick up point is from outside Eureka Tower observation deck - underneath the palms trees (located at 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank, VIC 3006) however we can pick up from hotels in Melbourne CBD if pre-organised prior to the tour date. We also offer hotel pick up service - this can be provided from selected CBD, Southbank and Docklands hotels only and must be communicated in advance of the tour date.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 111575P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Children under the age of 12 are not permitted travel
- Tours operate in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately according to local conditions
- Comfy trainers/sneakers are advised. A warm jumper, plus a waterproof jacket is advisable.
- We wish to advise larger groups of 4 or 5, that our luggage capacity is limited, so we recommend 1 x airplane cabin-sized bags per person. For groups of 3 passengers or less, 1 x standard size suitcase & 1 x cabin-sized bag per person is acceptable.
- Please note that we do not stop at every attraction we have listed. This is just an advisory of the different options. The tour can be extended to include some of these options. On every tour, we do of course still stop at the Penguin Parade and the koala conservation centre. We do also try and include as many other attractions as we can to maximise your time and enjoyment on the island.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 111575P1
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Trek247990734110 contributionsPenguin adventureJames was amazing. Low key back door access to all the animals in Australia. All his suggestions were on target. Underground penguin viewing experience of a lifetime. Highly recommendWritten 31 January 2024
- kellysK5661SQ0 contributionsThought provoking tourThe island is brimming with wildlife. That’s if you know where to look. Thankfully our guide did. Apart from some of the real wild animals dotted about the island, we also saw koalas at the koala conservation centre. They are in what could be described as a semi wild environment, so not only are you guaranteed to see them, you don’t feel bad for them like at some wildlife parks where they only have limited space (or perhaps just one tree). They are free to move around, which makes spotting them that bit harder, but also more fun. The Penguin Parade was, like for many others that visit the island, our highlight.Written 9 February 2022
- amsterdamer780 contributionsAnother great private tour experienceWe have previously procured the services of this company before, but that was for a whirlwind visit to the island and really only to see the Penguin Parade. However, we had learnt previously, that there is so much more to see, so we organised for a follow up visit. This time however, we choose to see the island over 2 days. This was a great decision, as it meant we could take our time, not be rushed and enjoy the island as it should be enjoyed. It was particularly nice to enjoy the island in the morning, as most are day trippers who don’t really descend until around lunchtime. For anyone unsure,I would recommend at least choose their longer 14 hour tour, if you don’t have the extra day spare. It takes 90 minutes to reach the island from Melbourne. And trust me, you are going to want to maximise your time on the island, as it has so many beautiful little spots. Our guide James knew all the little nooks and crannies (I haven’t used that expression in a long time!) and areas which were pristine and unspoilt by mass tourism. We also saw the Penguin parade for a second time. It was just as good as the first. We decided to take a different upgrade option this time though. We choose the underground bunker, which sounds like some kind of war related upgrade. It was in fact the perfect place to watch the penguins. We were warm and dry from the elements and got to see them at eye level which was incredible. All in all, It was a fantastic 2 days.Written 23 December 2021
- Fixthis20 contributionsUnforgettable 2 DaysJust come back from a 2 day tour with Posh Penguins and I can say without a doubt, it was one of the best tour experiences that I’ve had in Australia. After the first day, I already knew the tour was going to overcome my expectations and be worth every dollar. The 2nd day was just as fulfilling, but was scheduled slightly different and more catered to our individual interests. There was more time to visit more secluded parts of the island and some truly excellent wildlife spotting opportunities - from wild wallabies in the bush, to beautiful black swans on a hidden lake. The Penguin Parade (day 1) was also fantastic. We upgraded our seat to include the underground bunker, which again, was worth the extra dollar, so certainly don’t hesitate on that front. The recommended accommodation was perfect. As the accommodation isn’t included in their price, you just need to pay for it yourself. But we were offered the flexibility of choosing where we wanted to stay, although in the end we just went with their recommendation. I would certainly recommend this tour whether you are a foreign tourist or just a local who wants to explore more of their own backyard. For the latter, I think you will be little surprised just how much the island has to offer.Written 2 November 2021
- Pacman4790 contributionsThe tour of all tours!We booked this tour on a bit of a whim as it combined the 2 places we wanted to see and we were nervous about joining a small group because of covid. We were very thankful we did it this way. The element of it being private really worked for us. It particularly worked well for this tour because both days were jam packed of things to see and do. I could not have imagined trying to do this itinerary with a small group. It would have been rushed and just not as enjoyable. Our guide James took us to both areas and knew them both incredibly well. He was really friendly and knowledgeable and was always checking up on us to make sure we were enjoying the tour. The only thing that could have made this better was to see everything over 3 days. This was an option we had considered originally but we were constrained with our available dates. That said, we saw all the main bits of the great ocean road, but I felt there was even more to discover with an extra days. Although we just finished our last day before Melbourne went into a snap covid lockdown, so I dare say our 3rd day would have been cancelled anyway. We were absolutely both recommend Posh Penguins for a private tour to not only Phillip Island, but also the great ocean road.Written 30 September 2021
- 619jeffry0 contributionsEnjoy your luxury atrip to the Penguin ParadeYou will enjoy a trip to see the Penguin Parade more if you make the trip in style. Posh Penguins will make sure you get the best view of these adorablde penguins. Many eople come from around the world to see Penguin Parade. Who wants to sit for hours on a bus when you can do the trip in comfort?Written 15 June 2021
- ir0nbru0 contributionsTour reviewVery good tour. Phillip Island is beautiful. I recommend taking a private tour as it’s catered to you. Particularly enjoyed getting out bush and looking for kangaroos and wallabies in the wild.Written 13 April 2021
- HelloSexyChef0 contributionsPenguin ParadeThis was a comfortable way in which to see the Penguins. We paid extra for the underground bunker which allowed us access to a well designed underground bunker and also into Penguins plus, which got us closer to the action and the little Penguins parade back up the beach. The vehicle was clean, tidy and to a high standard. James, our guide was very pleasant, and made every effort to bond with our group answering most of the questions thrown at him from the group.Written 6 April 2020
- Weedykk0 contributionsFor wildlife loversLoved our day out. Very relaxed, at our own pace. Saw everything we had on our list. Great tour to see Australian wildlife and of course the Penguins.Written 24 March 2020
- THunt810 contributionsPerfect tourWe had initially wanted to do 2 days along the Great Ocean Road and a day out on Phillip island, but wanted a break in between the tours in which to explore melbourne city centre. Thankfully, after getting in touch with Posh Penguins, James was able to put together a tour which enabled us to visit the great ocean road on the Monday, have 2 days in Melbourne, and then continue the tour along the great ocean road on Thursday and Friday. This all fitted in perfectly to our schedule. We were picked up and dropped from our hotel each time - on time - and both tours were great. Phillip island heavily concentrated on wild animals, whilst the great Ocean Road portion was all about the rugged scenery. It was nice to have the same guide for both trips, as we had built a rapport with him, and he got to know our little quirks (ie give us coffee regularly or we become grumpy!) which can be important when travelling such long distances.Written 20 February 2020
- Donfish650 contributionsGreat 3 days!Our friend had recommended this company after they had done a 1 day tour. We wanted to see Phillip island AND the great ocean road so decided on the 3 day tour option. Every element was spot on. The tour covers a lot of distance but the 3 days were nicely split up into manageable chunks. This is a great option to choose if you want to see both areas.Written 6 January 2020
- Poh_kok_wee0 contributionsPenguins and coThis was our second visit to Melbourne, so we had a bit more time. So instead of rushing down in one day, we opted to see the island over 2 days on a private tour. It was a very relaxed tour, and we managed to visit the attractions when they were quiet. The penguin parade was very good. We upgraded our ticket so sat in a quieter area. We also were taken to a great spot so we could see wallabies in the wild. We were the only ones there, surrounded by wild wallabies. Very surreal.Written 21 December 2019
- Cauliflower_Cheese70 contributionsPrivate TourI surprised my partner with this private tour for his birthday. We often do small group travel, but never have done a private tour. I thought it was money well spent. The highlight was the penguin parade. Upgrading your penguin parade ticket is essential and only a small additional cost. We didn’t get the upgrade we wanted (it was sold out as we booked last minute) but we did get our second choice so we’re happy with that.Written 23 November 2019
- MrPM240 contributionsFamily MemoriesFantastic day out with Posh Penguins. Everything ran like clockwork. James was a friendly guide and very safe driver - very important when you have young family onboard and you personally booked the driver! Absolutely worth upgrading the tickets at the Penguin Parade (to Penguins Plus) for a better vantage point.Written 5 November 2019
- Danish_Red0 contributionsGood choice for couples or small private groupsGood overall choice for our family of 4. Considering the inclusions and the fact you have a private car, and a driver who knows where he is going, we thought it was pretty reasonable. And we got to see a few places I suspect most other tour companies don’t get to. One walk in particular, we were literally the only car there (we were thinking uhh ohh at the time - sorry I am a very sceptical person lol) but we were taken on a lovely short walk and saw about 10 wild kangaroos in the space of about 15 minutes! Sadly I’m not allowed to post about or mention the area we went to, as the guide wants the area to remain untouched by mass tourism (save that for the penguin parade I guess!). Understandable I guess, the last thing the kangaroos want is 100 noisy people with flash cameras getting off a bus chasing after them!Written 9 February 2019
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5.0
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steve c
San Ramon, CA56 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This tour was absolutely the best and truly a highlight of our trip to Australia. No matter where you live in the world, if you visit Australia you've got to make time on your itinerary to get down to Melbourne and book a tour with Posh Penguins. We are from the US and the booking process was easy. The company quickly responded by email or telephone to any questions we had. Our guide, James picked us up at our Hotel in the CBD (Central Business District) of Melbourne and while on the road he shared his wealth of knowledge about Australia and the wildlife (Kangaroos, Wallabies, Koolas, birds, etc.). On this 11-12 hour tour we first visited a local wildlife park where we were able to feed Kangaroos and get up and close with a Koola. We stopped for lunch at a quick café called Island Pies which had the most delicious puff pastry pies (I had a Scallop pie and my wife had a beef and mushroom). After lunch we visited Churchill Island where we learned about sheep shearing and saw a sheep being sheared. Also, we witnessed a trained sheepdog demonstration. On Churchill Island we also saw wild Wallabies, and many different species of native birds.
The Posh Penguin tour also includes a stop at Swan Lake where we also saw different species of birds along with wild Kangaroos. The tour also includes a visit to the Koala Conservation Center where there are a number of Koalas and if you’re lucky, (we were) you’ll see a Koala that is actively eating and moving around from one Eucalyptus tree to another quite close to you, where you could touch them, but don’t.
Before it gets dark, you will visit the Nobbies area of Philip Island (home of the Penguin Parade) which is quite scenic with the rock formations and ocean waves. We learned that the Philip Island Nature Park which is where you will see the famous Penguin Parade is a non-profit conservatory that supports Penguin research and has helped increased the population of penguins. Shortly after sunset almost like clockwork you will see hundreds of penguins leave the ocean nightly to return to their burrow. Truly amazing. James and Posh Penguins delivered a non-rushed very informative tour that was well worth it, we loved it.
The Posh Penguin tour also includes a stop at Swan Lake where we also saw different species of birds along with wild Kangaroos. The tour also includes a visit to the Koala Conservation Center where there are a number of Koalas and if you’re lucky, (we were) you’ll see a Koala that is actively eating and moving around from one Eucalyptus tree to another quite close to you, where you could touch them, but don’t.
Before it gets dark, you will visit the Nobbies area of Philip Island (home of the Penguin Parade) which is quite scenic with the rock formations and ocean waves. We learned that the Philip Island Nature Park which is where you will see the famous Penguin Parade is a non-profit conservatory that supports Penguin research and has helped increased the population of penguins. Shortly after sunset almost like clockwork you will see hundreds of penguins leave the ocean nightly to return to their burrow. Truly amazing. James and Posh Penguins delivered a non-rushed very informative tour that was well worth it, we loved it.
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Steve for the glowing reference and taking the time to write such a in-depth descriptive review of your tour experience. Terrible photo of me (haha!) but the rest of your photos are great! :)
I'll pass on your kind words about the scallop pie to island pies. Very yummy indeed!!
Safe onward travels,
James
Posh Penguins
Written 26 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
B H
Staunton1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Friends
What a wonderful tour we were given by James. Throughout the booking James kept in touch with me and explained everything in full detail. One could not ask for better guide. James avoided the crowds and insured that the animals we saw were active and entertaining.
The Italian restaurant where we ate had delicious food and again, we were able to avoid the crowds. The penguins parade was a delight. We were mesmerized by an overstuffed penguin who kept toppling over as it waddled past the underground viewing area.
The koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devil, kangaroos, snakes, long neck turtles and other animals all were fascinating.
James also made a few stops where we could watch surfers and observe magnificent beach views.
James is an excellent tour guide and a delight to be around. I highly recommend touring Philip Island in a small group; you will surely not be disappointed!
The Italian restaurant where we ate had delicious food and again, we were able to avoid the crowds. The penguins parade was a delight. We were mesmerized by an overstuffed penguin who kept toppling over as it waddled past the underground viewing area.
The koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devil, kangaroos, snakes, long neck turtles and other animals all were fascinating.
James also made a few stops where we could watch surfers and observe magnificent beach views.
James is an excellent tour guide and a delight to be around. I highly recommend touring Philip Island in a small group; you will surely not be disappointed!
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for documenting your experience in such detail. It really helps potential future guests when they are thinking of booking.
Thank you once again!
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gail H
Fairview, PA10 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We took a 10 day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney and after disembarking, we flew to Melbourne specifically to do Posh Penguin Parade and we’re lucky to have had James as our guide! Such a wonderful and easy to converse with young man! Totally enjoyed our 12 hours with him and learned so much from all his knowledge about the area and animals we seen. He truely enjoys what he does and it shows….i can’t imagine being able to enjoy showing people wild animals in their natural habitat! We upgraded to the underground bunker viewing area and it was not over crowded because they only sell so many tickets to prevent that from happening. People don’t listen though about not taking photos which is just awful….i could say so much more but won’t. The kangaroos hopping around the fields were excitingly enjoyable and James pointed out an echidna going into a field from the side of the road and said it’s rare to see that, so we felt special to be able to see it!
I /we would not hesitate to do the tour again in a heartbeat especially with James! Well worth it
We Thank you James!
Gail, Larry, Brittany and Scott
USA
I /we would not hesitate to do the tour again in a heartbeat especially with James! Well worth it
We Thank you James!
Gail, Larry, Brittany and Scott
USA
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much Gail, Larry, Brittany and Scott :)
It was a blast to show you around the island.
Yes it always disappointing when some people start taking photos during the penguin parade despite full well knowing it is prohibited. Thankfully the centre has got a little bit better at policing it and they are able to escort any people failing to adhere to the simple instructions.
I'm glad you managed to book in advance to enjoy the underground bunker.
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
louise w
Massanutten, VA2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
We had a great trip with James to Phillip Island. The highlight was the Penguin Parade, which is definitely worth a visit. We were advised that the General Viewing can be crowded in the summer ( and it certainly was), so James got us Penquin Plus tickets. We were escorted by an enthusiastic park guide, and were able to go to special areas such as the underground viewing and the staff lookout tower.
This full-day tour included other great experiences: the Koala Preserve, and Phillip Island Wildlife Park, where we were able to feed kangaroos and see Emus, large snakes, exotic birds and a Tasmanian Devil.
James has a great personality. He was knowledgeable, relaxed, accommodating, and never rushed us. It was a fun day.
I would definitely recommend this tour, especially with James.
This full-day tour included other great experiences: the Koala Preserve, and Phillip Island Wildlife Park, where we were able to feed kangaroos and see Emus, large snakes, exotic birds and a Tasmanian Devil.
James has a great personality. He was knowledgeable, relaxed, accommodating, and never rushed us. It was a fun day.
I would definitely recommend this tour, especially with James.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time out to review your experience. Yes General Viewing can indeed be very busy during peak season. The upgrades we organise are the same price as if you were to upgrade the ticket yourself - we don't take any additional money and we organise all the tickets for you as part of your tour. It's worth noting that Penguins Plus does NOT allow access to the underground viewing so perhaps you upgraded to the Guide Ranger Tour that night. Regardless, I'm very happy you had great time.
Warm regards, James
Posh Penguins
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julia H
Glasgow, UK6 contributions
Sept 2022
We had a blast on this tour. Our guide Erin was warm, funny and really knew the area well. We were initially unsure of how a tour of the penguin parade would work. We had assumed the island was tiny, with just the penguins as its inhabitants. Turns out we were completely wrong and its quite a big island, and we spent a few hours on the island itself, exploring it with our guide before we went onto the Penguin Parade later in the evening. The only negative i could think of was the dinner at the Penguin Parade, although to be fair we were pre-warned by our guide not to expect much as they have a captive audience over that far side of the island. The food wasn't too bad, but it was overrun with tourists and the food was at tourist prices. We would have preferred something a bit more local. It's a shame an alternative doesn't exist nearby.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin is a legend! I will pass on your appreciation.
Yes, the cafe a the Penguin Parade is not the perfect dining experience, but unfortunately in such a secluded area, it is the only option. We can offer a dining option in the town of cowes, but this would mean missing out seeing some really great wildlife sightseeing just before sunset, which is when they are most active. But we are happy to adapt the tour, whichever way our guests would prefer.
Warm regards,
James
Posh Penguins
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elizabeth b
8 contributions
Apr 2022
The Penguin Parade has been on my bucket list for years. And yesterday, I finally got there. When I first started researching the trip, I found it quite hard. There is is no public transportation down to Phillip Island. I didn’t want to hire a car myself, so we were forced into choosing a tour.
So we had to choose what kind of tour. Small group tours sounded the way forward, but the schedule was set in stone and they didn’t actually spend that much time on the island itself. So we decided a private tour would be best. There were actually a lot of operators to choose from. Most that we looked at and got quotes from, were not very responsive to our questions and were at least 50% more expensive than the Posh Penguins company, so at first we were a little dubious. Why are they so much cheaper? Is this too good to be true? Well to answer that, the answer is no. The tour was perfectly delivered. The vehicle was beyond our expectations. Very comfy for a couple. Our guide Erin was a myriad of information and I loved her passion for the conservation of the island and especially its little Penguins.
So we had to choose what kind of tour. Small group tours sounded the way forward, but the schedule was set in stone and they didn’t actually spend that much time on the island itself. So we decided a private tour would be best. There were actually a lot of operators to choose from. Most that we looked at and got quotes from, were not very responsive to our questions and were at least 50% more expensive than the Posh Penguins company, so at first we were a little dubious. Why are they so much cheaper? Is this too good to be true? Well to answer that, the answer is no. The tour was perfectly delivered. The vehicle was beyond our expectations. Very comfy for a couple. Our guide Erin was a myriad of information and I loved her passion for the conservation of the island and especially its little Penguins.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Elizabeth,
So happy to hear you finally made it to Phillip Island with us and that you still found us relatively cost effective, despite being a private tour provider. Yes, I am also I agreement that Erin is an awesome guide :) :)
Warm regards,
James
Posh Penguins
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharon H
11 contributions
Dec 2022
This took this tour as part of a cruise ship shore excursion. I didn’t know much about the company or the tour prior to the tour, as it was an anniversary gift from my mother-in-law who lives locally. But we were pleasantly surprised with a simply wonderful day out of exploring the island and the Penguin Parade to round it all off. Their tours I believe normally start off in Melbourne, but I would recommend this tour for anyone arriving to Phillip island by cruise ship.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Sharon,
Your mother in law has great taste! And yes, we are more than happy to meet the arrivals of cruise ships either in Melbourne or down in Phillip Island.
Its worth noting that, if joining a tour on Phillip Island from the cruise ship terminal, the 12 hour tour ultimately becomes an 8 hour tour, as our guide will still need to travel to/from Melbourne to reach the island (which is a 2 hour drive each way)
Thanks for your recommendation.
Warm Regards, James
Written 8 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary H
5 contributions
Jun 2021
We could not find many operators still doing tours down to phillip island due to covid. Eventually we stumbled upon Posh Penguins. Being a private tour, the price was a bit more than we had anticipated to spend, but we went with it anyway. In the end, the extra cost was worth it.
Our guide James was was really friendly. He knew the island very well and we were taken to some incredibly nice secluded spots, to be at one with nature and away from the tourist masses.
The Penguin Parade blew me away. Take their advice and book the upgrade. As the sun began to set, the rain started to set in. However, James had secured what they call 'underground bunker' tickets so we could not only shelter from the rain, but also we gained a much better view from the bunker. It was only an extra $45 each (from memory) but again, totally worth it.
The drive between melbourne is pretty mundane, but we had a fun chat with James on the way down in the morning and slept for the entire journey on the way back to Melbourne.
Our guide James was was really friendly. He knew the island very well and we were taken to some incredibly nice secluded spots, to be at one with nature and away from the tourist masses.
The Penguin Parade blew me away. Take their advice and book the upgrade. As the sun began to set, the rain started to set in. However, James had secured what they call 'underground bunker' tickets so we could not only shelter from the rain, but also we gained a much better view from the bunker. It was only an extra $45 each (from memory) but again, totally worth it.
The drive between melbourne is pretty mundane, but we had a fun chat with James on the way down in the morning and slept for the entire journey on the way back to Melbourne.
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Mary,
It was lovely to meet you and your husband Jeff. Yes, per person our costs are much higher than a group big bus tour, but I am really happy you thought it was worth the extra cost in the end.
I'm also glad you took our advice on choosing the underground bunker. As you were visiting in the winter (July), it really is the safest choice. And its great to see the penguins from that angle (and you still have the flexibility to leave the bunker and watch them from the same height as everyone else as well).
James :)
Written 9 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
peter s
3 contributions
Jun 2022
We didn't expect to be taking a private tour down to the phillip island. But our hire car company double booked our car (a good lesson not to book with a budget hire car company) so we had to scramble around for a last minute tour. Out hotel concierge suggested Posh Penguins, so he helped make all the arrangements for the tour. We woudnt normally take a guided tour (especially not a private one) as its just not 'our thing' but we were very pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed it, and might be open to take a guided tour, perhaps even a guided tour, in the future.
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm sorry to hear your rental car got double booked, but I'm so glad we could come to the rescue.
Thank you for your endorsement.
Warm regards,
James
Posh Penguins
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
julia b
Berlin, Germany8 contributions
May 2022
We took a tour of the entire Phillip Island with a visit to the Penguin Parade. His depth of knowledge of the island and the penguin habitat made the experience our highlight during our time in Australia. I didn't realise there was so much more to the island than just Penguins.
A very special place indeed.
A very special place indeed.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for those kind words Julia.
Oh yes, there is much more to the island than just the Penguins. Vey happy you got to experience it and I got to show you some parts that the majority of tourists don't get to see.
Warm regards,
James
Posh Penguins
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have plan to holiday sometime after 7th of Dec, about 5 to 7 days. My kids love wildlife, so can you give me a suggestion?
Written 11 October 2019
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