Surf Coast

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Penguin Parade
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gippsland

Penguin Parade

8.6
4.4/5
211 reviews

Penguin Parade is located at Summerland Beach on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island and is the signature viewing experience of Phillip Island Nature Parks, taking place every day around sunset: after a day of foraging at sea, flocks of little penguins ride the waves ashore, first gathering in the shallows and peering around, then waddling across the beach and following a fixed route back to their burrows in the dunes. Spectators on the viewing stands and boardwalks can watch this "little parade" of the natural world up close, and the penguins often pass just a few steps away. The island is home to tens of thousands of little penguins. They have blue feathers on their backs and snow-white bellies, and as adults they stand only just over 30 cm tall and weigh about one kg; their round bodies and waddling gait make them endearingly cute. During the day they head out to sea to forage, and after dusk they return to their nests together, traveling back and forth between the sea and their burrows along almost unchanged routes for generations, and on site you can also hear their calls rising and falling. A few points are worth noting when watching: little penguins' eyes are very sensitive to light, so cameras and video recorders cannot be used on site, and only by waiting quietly can you avoid disturbing them; after sunset the seaside is windy and rather cool, so even in summer it is advisable to bring a warm jacket and to arrive early to wait for the penguins to come ashore. This spectacle takes place all year round, and during the spring and summer of the Southern Hemisphere (roughly August each year to February of the following year), which is the breeding season, the penguins come ashore and move in and out of their burrows more frequently, so the scene is usually livelier. △ The little penguins leave the island during the day to forage at sea, and return to their nests on the shore in groups at night to rest. △ These little penguins are timid and highly sensitive to light, so photography and video recording are prohibited on site; only by waiting quietly can you avoid disturbing them. △ The Penguin Parade can be viewed year-round. From September to January, the weather is warm and it is the breeding season, so the penguins are more active and it is a good time to watch them.

Summerlands · 84.6km from Surf Coast
Melbourne Museum
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Melbourne Museum

8.6
4.7/5
626 reviews

Melbourne Museumis a large and highly innovative museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and withRoyal exhibition hallCo-locationKadun ParkMedium,Is a comprehensive museum covering natural history, indigenous culture, and urban transformation. The museum's collection and exhibitions are both stunning.Step into the lobby,A blue whale skeleton specimen approx. 18 m longSuspended in midair,It is one of the museum's iconic exhibits.Across more than 20 exhibition halls and independent pavilions, the museum offers all-encompassing content, with more than a dozen permanent exhibitions open. The indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of forests from the perspective of forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, seasonal differentiation of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in the Australian dry season, and houses some common Australian birds and ants. The "forest secret" inside the museum is located at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem identical to the natural environment and showcasing the trees, plants, wildlife, and insects of the Victorian Alps. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see approx. 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, the insect exhibition area and evolution area showcase the mysteries of the biological world. The style museum has a highly modern design, and next to itRoyal exhibition hallThis forms a striking contrast with the classical style. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frames and glass curtain walls also draw more natural light into the museum's public spaces. You will see staff members wearing brightly colored uniforms that exude a rich indigenous cultural flair, creating an interesting contrast with the avant-garde architectural forms.

Carlton · 96.2km from Surf Coast

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Featured Culture & history in Surf Coast

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[Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 32 booked
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Old Melbourne Gaol: Entry Ticket
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Geelong Audio Tour: Maritime Marvels and Heritage Highlights of Geelong
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Melbourne Immigration Museum: Entry Ticket
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Melbourne: Skydeck Experience Packages
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Melbourne: Walking tour of the underground past - twin tales of gold rush wealth and slums just a street apart
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Featured Food & drink in Surf Coast

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Green Olive at Red Hill: Farmers Lunch for 2 + Drinks
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Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour
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5.0/5
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Yarra Valley: All-Inclusive Tour inc Chandon & Kangaroos
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4.9/5
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Duration: 7 hrs
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Featured Spa & wellness in Surf Coast

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Admission ticket to Peninsula Hot Springs in Australia [Unlimited enjoyment of 50 bathing experiences]
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1-day round-trip tour to Peninsula Hot Springs from Melbourne
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Peninsula Hot Springs: Entry Ticket with Bath House
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
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Mornington Peninsula: Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
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Mornington Peninsula: SUP, Hike, & Hot Springs Trip w/ Lunch
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From Melbourne: Peninsula Hot Springs & Bathing Boxes Tour
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Mornington Peninsula: Hot Springs and Body Clay Ritual
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Surf Coast

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Melbourne: 12 Apostles Sunset Tour - Fewer Crowds
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4.8/5
· 22 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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Reverse Great Ocean Road Day Tour with Kangaroos & Koalas
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5.0/5
· 1 review
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Melbourne Great Ocean Road skydiving [high-altitude ocean view skydiving/free skydiving certificate]
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4.6/5
· 16 reviews· 168 booked
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Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade one-day tour
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4.7/5
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Australia Puffing Billy Railway + Healesville Sanctuary 1-day tour [round-trip from city]
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews· 49 booked
Duration: 7.2 hrs
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What travellers say about Surf Coast

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willem_king24 October 2026
5.0
It's best to buy the plus ticket. The visitor center has an estimated time when the penguins will come ashore, so just arrive a little early. The estimated time is very accurate; the penguins appear little by little as soon as the time comes, and then they come ashore in groups. They're tiny and very cute.

Penguin Parade

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M30***186 October 2026
5.0
A fantastic museum experience! The entire exhibition hall was beautifully designed, offering an immersive and interactive experience suitable for people of all ages. It allowed for close-up observation of dinosaur fossils and showcased different periods of Australian culture. I recommend allocating 4 to 5 hours for a visit.

Melbourne Museum

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Anonymous user5 June 2026
5.0
Good Experience!

Skydive Great Ocean Road

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ssdiablo10 March 2020
3.0
This is a viewing point at the front of the Great Ocean Road, not far from Geelong. There is an unattended beach here, but I didn't see anyone playing there. Standing on the viewing platform, you can enjoy the beauty of the sea. But you just stop the car and take a few photos before leaving.

Urquhart Bluff

Popular cities near Surf Coast

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Surf Coast?

Don't miss these attractions in Surf Coast: BIG4 Anglesea Holiday Park, Point Addis Beach, and BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park. If you like Culture & history, try [Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Green Olive at Red Hill: Farmers Lunch for 2 + Drinks.

You can give Green Olive at Red Hill: Farmers Lunch for 2 + Drinks and 2 hour Yarra River cruise in Melbourne with brunch, cocktails and wine a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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