Phillip Island Nature Parks — Attraction in Phillip Island

Our Go West tour was specifically for my wife and I to see the Penguins in their habitat and to watch the Parade. We were able take video and pictures along the boardwalk by the ocean. The boardwalk was safe for my wife to walk and we definitely enjoyed seeing the penguins; I mention this because it shows how important safety is to this organization for folks who come to visit especially if they are physically disabled or families with buggies. And seeing homes made for the little penguins and the well kept natural homes for them was amazing.

When it was time to go to the visitors center we enjoyed an early dinner. May I say that with the number of guests eating at the restaurant the quality and plating of each dish we ordered was delicious and well presented. I observed your restaurant manager, Heni, take the time to look for guests whose food had been made but not picked up because they were sitting where the buzzers didn’t reach them. In all my time I’ve never seen that level of customer service before.

We so enjoyed our overall experience of the penguin parade even with the rain and earlier then expected closure due to safety concerns with thunder and lightning.

In addition, I am writing to let you know what an amazing group of people you have working at the Phillip Island Nature Parks. Every person we came in contact with was kind, helpful, and wonderful. Stephanie and others assisted my wife who needed the buggy down to and from the viewing platform as walking is strenuous for her; your staff assisted and made sure she had a place to view the penguin's waddling to their homes. On my walk back to the visitor center as my wife was on the buggy one of your orange vested staff shared information about the bandicoots and the story of their reemergence on the island (I’m so sorry I didn’t get your name, you were knowledgeable and friendly). And Steven, thank you for taking the time to speak with me about some of what I wrote here.

Thank you all for your efforts and love for Phillip Island Nature Parks...

Changes they've made in recent years have altered this place for the worse. It used to be that the spectacle was the penguins. Now, what you're watching is the uncomfortable people-wrangling that goes on the whole time you're sitting there...

Park staff (rangers?) spend more time shouting orders at everyone sitting on the sand than they do educating people on penguins. They were snappy while I was there recently, and I don't blame them. Doesn't feel like anyone should be doing the work they're expected to do.

Seating hordes of people on the sand in front of the stands is a really obvious mistake - a profitable one though, I'm sure. Of course people in that area are going to behave terribly, stand up and move around. They've paid a lot of money and travelled a long way. They can't see anything from where they're sitting, flat on the beach. They're pretty much forced to sacrifice their dignity to get in on it.

People in that area also seem to be the tourists coming in late on buses. This creates a pretty ugly and unfair impression of overseas visitors. There are racist comments peppered all the way through these reviews. Management should have a good think about just how much of the blame it needs to shoulder for this.

Seating people in roped-off areas on the sand can't be good for the stress levels of the penguins either. Everyone surges like dogs at a fence when the penguins are ready to go past.

It's a shame to see what this place has become. You'd imagine there's enough money flowing through here to improve seating and access for everyone. And to do that in a way that demonstrates a real sense of respect for the penguins' habitat. If you want to accommodate this many people, do...

Breathtaking views and change in scenery as sunset transcended. The sound of the ocean waves crashing and the crisps coolness of the air is amazing. And the little fairy penguins are so adorable! The kids LOVED it! The experience is well worth paying for it, at least once 😆 We paid for the general viewing ticket. Coming during winter is good as the penguins generally come to shore when dark (around 5-ish pm). Suppose it’s better for younger kids so they don’t have to wait too long but got to rugged up for the cold. We wanted to get as close to the front row seats so we were here about 1 1/2 hours earlier before estimated penguin return time. And we did 😀 Recommend to wear sufficient warm clothing and bring snacks to nibble. A rug/mat as well if it’s a rainy day. As an adult it is surprisingly fun to watch the penguins waddling/running in to shore. I guess there is a kid in every one of us 😊 So cute to see how the penguins care for each other. They literally come in ones or pairs and they wait for their “small group” and then run in together as a team to their burrows. As you walk back on the boardwalk you get to see how the penguins interact with each other. So many different sounds they emit - be it playing, resting, fighting, feeding, resting or mating. Beauty of life and nature. It’s a pity photo taking aren’t allowed but it’s understandable. But it allows us to savour the moment 😀 They have information posters and few activities indoor. Good range of souvenirs (especially for kids…..parents $$$😅). There are food kiosk as well but did not check it out. Great work done for preserving this...