On Philip Island, the most famous attraction was naturally the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Viewing time is only from sunset onwards as that is the time where it is safe (safe for the penguins from the threats of being prey to eagles, etc) for the hundreds to over a thousand wild Little Penguins to emerge from the sea & march across the beach to their sand dune burrows.
The Little Penguin is the world’s smallest (and cutest) penguin and the Penguin Parade is the best place to experience this completely natural phenomenon.
However, no photography or videography is allowed during the Phillip Island Penguin Parade as the flash is said to hurt their vision & it also scares them. Even if you do not use a flash, which you’ll probably need to anyway, cos it’s pretty dark, the park rangers will stop you politely the moment you tried to whip out your camera from your bags.
The experience of watching the penguins upclose (as close as 1 feet away!) is indescribable. 😉 If you are ever on Philip Island, this is a must-visit!
These Little Penguins are simply adorable! They are very small & they looked so cute as they are very fat at this time of the year since they have to eat more to regurgitate to feed their young in the burrows.
At the Phillip Island Penguin Parade visitors get to watch from an exclusive viewing platform & boardwalk as they strutted up the beach & walk along the long beach trail to their burrows.
(this pic below from www.penguins.org.au)
Our disappointment at not being able to capture any of these moments on camera was noted by our guide Reiner. Being the exemplary guide that he is, he offered to take us to The Nobbies Centre instead, which is actually more for fur seals viewing but there are sand dune burrows around the area that has these Little Penguins.
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