Photo: Phillip Island Nature Parks

They may be an iconic Victorian attraction however I was dubious about whether a visit to the Phillip Island penguin parade would work for our family.  As I sat in the cold this Easter Saturday, snuggling my seven week old baby, praying she wouldn’t start screaming before the penguins arrived my doubts resurfaced.  It turns out though that I am a convert.  There was something peaceful about sitting in the stands fronting a spectacular surf beach, amongst a United Nations of tourists awaiting one of creations cutest creatures.  Consequently my three and five year olds were content to wait two hours happily doing nothing much until they arrived and my baby slept contentedly throughout the entire spectacle.

As the sun set the little penguins arrived at the beach.  It turns out that watching them is entrancing for adults and darn exciting for little kids.  They arrive at the beach in “rafts” or groups of penguins, furtively glacing around for danger, before making a mad waddle for the safety of their burrows.  As each group of penguins vanished into the rookery the crowd would stare at the surf, waiting for the next arrivals.  The beach parade was however only the entree – extensive little penguin viewing also occurs on either side of the long boardwalk that snakes from the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre to the beach.

Run by Phillip Island Nature Parks the penguin parade is eco-tourism at its best, not for profit with an emphasis on education, research and conservation.  We enrolled in a family tour which allowed both kids and adults in our group to learn more about the penguins, the environment and the organization, as well as ensuring us the best seats in the stands.  Rangers working at the parade are part-timers, locals with a passion for wildlife and the environment, we were told by our guide on the tour, Dave.

Penguin parade family tour

Tips to making getting the most out of the penguin parade with a baby or young kids.

• The penguins make their appearance as the sun sets.  Visiting outside of daylight savings time will mean that your children will be less tired, and more able to enjoy the experience as the penguins arrive earlier.
• Plan to arrive early and get the best seats.  Call ahead to Phillip Island Nature Parks to discover what time the visitor centre gates open to allow access to the beach.
• Take activities like coloring in to entertain your children while they wait.
• Take a picnic with you and eat dinner while you wait – hungry kids are grumpy kids.
• Rug up.  All year round it can get cold when the sun goes down.  Bring jackets, hats, and wet weather gear for the whole family.
• If you are visiting in school holidays consider enrolling for a Family Tour.
• Once you are in the stands it is a long walk back to the facilities.  Make sure your children use the toilet before you head down to the stands.
• Once the parade finishes wait as long as possible before departing.  This will give you a better view of the penguins near the boardwalk.
• Photograph your kids in the visitor centre – photographs are not allowed at the penguin parade as alas the flash disorientates the stars of the show.

This blog provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including travel health and destination advice.  You can join us on Facebook to receive updates to your news feed.

This post is linked to Friday Postcards at Walking on Travels.

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