victoria - 101 Must Do's - travel

127 Sue George

Aug 11th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

I love going to see the Little Penguins coming in at sunset on Phillip Island. The Penguin Foundation can always use sponsors to assist in the support of the work in protecting the Little Penguins in their habitats.

126 V. Leitis

Aug 7th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

An experience that highlights the beauty and complexity of mother nature. It inspires you to be more actively environmentally friendly in order to save wildlife from extinction and for the appreciation of future generations, What cuties!

125 Richard Kemp

Aug 6th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Penguin Parade was one of the first tourist spots I visited when I arrived in Australia. The Little Penguins are enchanting, and the work carried out by the staff of the Penguin Foundation is truely remarkable. The Penguin Foundation has almost all of its running costs paid for by another organisation. That means that just about every cent donated goes towards the welfare of the Penguins and their habitat. My wife and I now visit at least once a year and have no hesitation in giving this venue a 5 star rating. A wonderful experience and you have the knowledge that you are contributing to preserving something really worthwhile.

124 Lauren Taylor

Aug 6th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

I visited the Penguin Parade on my honeymoon. I found the exhibition fascination and whole experience very moving, I cried with joy as I saw the fairy penguins scurrying out of the sea in groups and marching up the beach to their hill side homes. The penguins were almost close enough to touch as they walked up the beach and it was a humbling experience to see the penguins in their natural habitat, as the sun was setting over the Melbourne coast.

My husband has annually paid for me to be a member and I look forward to receiving my newsletter. I have my adoption certificate proudly on display in my classroom and I have many pupils asking me for information on penguins and buying me toys, pencils and stickes for me to display in my ‘penguin corner’.

I eagerly await returning to Australia, and one of the first stops I make will be at The Penguin Parade.

123 margaret Poole

Aug 4th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

I saw this fabulous event (and it is a worldclass event) a few years ago when In vidsiting phillip Isalnd for the first time. I am now a Penguin supporter and also plan another visit this year to see this amazing show again.

After seeing so many things aroudn the world this stands out as a highlight of nature!!

122 Wendy Beattie

Aug 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Watching the penguins is the most amazing experience. I absolutely loved it. They are just adorable. It is something everyone should definitely see.

121 Diane

Aug 1st, 2008 at 7:18 pm

My Friend took her Japanese exchange student. She said it was the best thing she’d seen in Australia!!!! She thought they were really cute and wanted to take one home!

120 Sharon Briggs

Aug 1st, 2008 at 11:01 am

As a school excursion iit is one of the few opportunities for children to interact with nature closely. The unpredictability of the experience also ensures every visit is different.

119 Lisa Timmers

Aug 1st, 2008 at 8:19 am

To be able to get so close and involved with a totally natural experience like the return of the penguins to their burrows is so exciting and a privilege. Apart from being the world’s cutest creature, this is a low key, no glitz wonderful event that any person regardless of age and ability can be involved in. It’s fantastic to see all the people at the parade, different ethnic groups, old, young, get so involved as we wait for them to emerge from the water.My husband and I had a penguin themed wedding and sponser a penguin as a momento, so we visit the parade regularly. It’s so close to Melbourne and a wonderful trip. Certainly more than worth it !

118 Harold

Aug 1st, 2008 at 2:32 am

The Penquin parade was one of the most memorial experiences of our trip to Australia. Seeing the Penquins come in at night and walk right past you was quite unique and an experience everyone should have.

117 Harold

Aug 1st, 2008 at 2:32 am

The Penquin parade was one of the most memorial experiences of our trip to Australia. Seeing the Penquins come in at night and walk right past you was quite unique and an experience everyone should have.

116 Christine

Jul 31st, 2008 at 3:54 pm

I recently attended the penguin parade with a group of school children who were absolutely entranced with the penguins. But more amusing was to watch some of the adults who had never seen this amazing sight before. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more. Also sitting there waiting for the penguins to emerge from the surf brought back memories of long gone summers when I was a child waiting on the beach for the magical creatures to arrive. All in all a top experience not to be missed!

115 Brad Willard

Jul 31st, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Best thing I saw or did while in Australia! Incredible how the center combines the entertainment of watching the penguins return from the sea along with an engaging and interactive education center. This is my number one recommendation for any of my friends heading to Victoria…

114 Roy Cuzens

Jul 31st, 2008 at 10:38 am

Hi,
The Penguin Parade offers a unique opportunity to view these important birds in their natural habitat. The Penguin Parade and the associated centre etc are very proffessional. Very much worth the visit!

Thank you.

113 pati thompson

Jul 31st, 2008 at 10:37 am

I voted for the penguine parade as it is a truly unique part of visiting Melbourne and its surrounds. They are possibly the cutest things in the world, and its an enjoyable experience for young, old, and everything in between!

112 lucas milne

Jul 31st, 2008 at 10:16 am

I loved visiting the penguins at Phillip Island as they are my favorite animal. For a boy who is 6 years old, it was so amazing to see my story books come alive in these real little creatures. The rangers taught me lots about the penguins l had yet to learn, and mum and dad got me my very own penguin (phillip) and l became a adopt a penguin parent. Its a great place to take kids as the penguins are just alittle smaller than us but the are as cheecky and as funny as kids are,,, please visit the penguins as they are so unique to victoria, and they deserve to be our best tourist spot to visit. Each night is a different experience never the same scene twice!!!

111 Bryanne

Jul 31st, 2008 at 9:59 am

The penguins are amazing animals and the parade is fantastic! It is about seeing nature as it is and for what it is and how it is meant to be.

110 Sylvie Moy

Jul 30th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

Respect them and don’t take pictures. You can buy some to have a souvenir.
They’re so lovely. It’s my by memory in Australia and thanks for the people who look after them.

109 Helen Walker

Jul 30th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Such a wonderful event to view which you will never see in the UK! So natural, its great to see these amazing wonderful creatures go about normal activities and have the protection and dedication of the penguin parade staff. An event well worth the trip!!!

108 Mary Blainey

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

The Penguin Parade is incredible. There is nothing there and then suddenly the penguins begin to appear and waddle up the beach, quite oblivious to the amazed onlookers.

107 Lisa

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

An environmentally friendly way to get people close to nature. The little penguins are so cute and the rangers really knowledgable and helpful. A wonderful experience for Victorian residents and visitors alike!

106 Barbara Kaye

Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

I’m a proud member of the Penguin Foundation and sponsored a Little Penguin some years ago. His name is “Arnold” and I have been down in February to visit him and all his family. There’s nothing more magical and wonderful than waiting till dusk to see the waves roll in and with them … little bundles of penguins waddling their way to their burrows to feed the hungry hoards. This hightly event not only enthralls children, but adults and interstate/overseas visitors alike.

After all … who could resist cooing at these magnificent and intelligent little flightless birds … that’s a mystery in itself!! Don’t forget … when you’re next down there … look out for Arnold … he’s got his mother’s eyes. Tell him I sent you and send him my love!!

105 Carla Harp

Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

I currently live on the Gold Coast and have resided in allot of Australian Tourist Towns such as Byron Bay,Port Douglas, and Broome. I have traveled throughout Australia and have been fortunate enough to have experienced the many different aspects of traveling in Australia.

My sister in Canada has been to Australia 4 times to visit me, each time being spent in a different part of Australia. On her last visit in November 2007, we decided to meet in Melbourne, as neither of us had been there before.

The most memorable thing by far on our holiday was the Penguin Parade. It is an amazing wildlife experience and something you never forget.

It has become one of our favorite experiences from our holidays together.

104 j williams

Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

How do they get the penguins into those tiny snow domes?

103 Patrick McEntee

Jul 30th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Patrick is 5.5 yrs old and just loves the penguins. He spends ages after the parade watching them. Just the cheapest package is all you need to spend to go and see them, to get a great view. Walking the boardwalks after the intial parade is the best bit. We go several times a year.

102 Cahris Mahney

Jul 30th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

It is great to see an organisation help these beautiful penquins.
It really gives you a soft spot for them.
To be able to donate to the Penquin Foundation is an excellent idea to keep these animals breeding.
I give it a thumbs up for the tourists and Melbourners to go visit!

101 Anna D

Jul 30th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

The Penguin Parade is a fantastic experience, one I would glady recommend to everyone. I am sponsoring a little penguin from Philip Island.

100 Catherine

Jul 30th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

My boyfriend adopted a penguin for me for my birthday last year and then we came all the way from Ireland to see him running up from the sea…it was a amazing experience I will never forget!

99 Antonello Carlomagno

Jul 30th, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Penguins are animals of the future !

98 Janette Anderson

Jul 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

My daughter and I have visited the little penguins quite a few times now in all types of weather. On warm, balmy tranquil nights, and nights that have been quite rainy, with thunder and lightning - very exciting. We love these little fellow and Philip Island so we have adopted our own little penguin we have named Pilch. These little fellows are treasures that need to be preserved.

97 Robyn Ryder

Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

Gorgeous place to visit - waiting with my two girls for the penguins to come up from the beach, and then seeing their faces when the penguins emerge from the water, is a memory I will, and I’m sure they will, remember always…… then as you walk along the boardwalk, the little penguins follow along and make the cutest noises calling out to each other…….My daughter adopted a penguin as she loved them so much !!!!

96 Melanie Bernert

Jul 30th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

The penguin parade is a great thing you can do when visit Phillip Island. It is nice to see them, when they return. We went there in 2006 and then decided to get a member to the foundation.

95 Sheryl Ecker

Jul 30th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Fantastic natural environment that has been enhanced to cater for people with minimal disturbance to the environment of the penguins. Information resources (in the centre) are user friendly as well as informative. Great learning facility for school groups & public alike. Caters for tourists as well as budding environmentalists.

94 A.Barnet

Jul 30th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Take good care of the penguins!

93 Jo Yardley

Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

I love these little guys so much that I adopted one. Well actually, “Little Mac” was adopted on my behalf for the best Christmas gift I cold ever receive. To see the Little Penguins scurry from sea to shore is truly heart warming….

92 Andrew Gosling

Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

I am also a Penguin Foundation member and the reason that I joined was because it is simply the best wildlife experience in Victoria by a mile, Phillip Island as a whole is a must see destination

91 Lorraine Devonshire

Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

It’s a privilege to feel as though I’m sharing the penguin life in a small way, to be able to observe their activities. The joy of being able to watch them emerge from the waves is wonderful. The facilities provided for the Penguin Parade are excellent.

90 Ferny Creek PS

Jul 30th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

We had exchange students from the USA and they commented that the penguin parade was the highlight of their trip.

89 Hilary

Jul 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

I am a Penguin Foundation Member and I think the more people that can come and experience this wonderful event will ensure the ongoing protection and management of these wonderful creatures.

88 Nicole

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am

A unique and worthwhile experience, not only do you get to see something amazing but you are also helping fun penguin reearch.

87 Claire

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am

This is one of the best wildlife experiences to be had in Victoria. So close to Melbourne, so easy to get to and so much fun. Penquin Parade Phillip Island is an absolute must see destination. You will love it. The penguins will thank you.

86 Matthew

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:34 am

What a fantasic night they provide us with

85 Carolyn Baker

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:32 am

I absolutely love penguins they are so beautiful. I go to the penguin parade at Phillip Island every year, and I sit in awe just watching them arrive at night from the waters edge and slowly stagger up the beach to search for their special little burrow and waiting babies. They make my heart jump with love just seeing them. I could sit there for hours watching them all. What an amazing little creature. I belong to the Penguin Foundation at Phillip Island and always will. What an amazing group of people who look after the welfare of one of our most gorgeous penguins. Well done what an amazing adventure and learning experience.

84 Tony Reynolds

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am

Absolutely Fabulous

83 Pamela Little

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:22 am

Haven’t had the pleasure of being there yet, but looks wonderful in the photos and hope to get there soon.

82 Neridah Armstrong

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:20 am

Just to be able to see the Penguins in their natural habitat and observe them
in this great enviroment is a great expreeince and the memories last a lifetime.

81 Susan Wright

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:13 am

My husband and i attended the penguin parade as part of our honeymoon - it has left me with some wonderful memories of this exciting time in our lives. To be able to see them up close was truely amazing - they are such wonderful little creatures.

80 Robert McLachlan

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:08 am

The penguin parade provides people with such an amazing experience. Caring about our environment and the little creatures that habitat it is an important thing to do. The people at the Penguin Foundation on Phillip Island are doing a great job to help protect little penguins, and no-one should miss this wonderful opportunity provided by the penguin parade to view the little penguins in their natural habitat.

79 Cheryl Gaye Edards

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am

I support and help promote these beatuiful creatures via the Penguin Foundation’s adoption process. Victoria should be justifiably proud of this natural national treasure.

78 Claire Stewart

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:03 am

Who doesn’t love creatures so kind, smart, spunky looking, happy, well travelled, family oriented and friendly…just like an Australian!

They’re a part of Victroia’s amazing ecological landscape and… And personally I love taking my interstate and internaitonal guests to see our frienldy fun loving happy feet penguins.

77 Ann Le Vien

Jul 30th, 2008 at 10:01 am

I was on a Great Ocean Road Tour and part of it was a trip to see the penguins.
Despite it pouring rain and blowing a gale, to say it was cold would be an understatement, I throughly enjoyed the experience.

From the first step into the information center, thou a little commercial, was full of information regarding the work being done to protect these little blokes. The indoor burrows give a little knowledge into the life of penguins.

The viewing area was very well organised with staff while ensuring everyone was able to watch ensured the number of people did not impact on the safe arrival of the penguins returning to their burrows.

I think the work being carried out by this organisation deserves all the help and support that can be offered.

I would defineatly make another visit.

76 Alice Dainter

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:59 am

The penguin parade is an amazing night, even the penguins dress up for the night. Great way to see and be educated about these little guys and the natural environment they live in.

75 Stephanie Wells

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:58 am

Such a beautiful experience.They didn’t quite behave the night we went but they certainly put on a good show. A great thing to do when visiting Victoria.

74 Amy

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:55 am

I visit the penguins every December without fail and have even adopted 2 of my own!

73 Emma Lamshed

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am

The Penguin Parade is my most prized experience. The cuteness and closeness to the Penguins cannot be achieved at any other place. I’m a Penguin Foundation Member and enjoy every moment of the Parade’s that I attend. Educating tourists and locals about the Penguins is important to me, so the more awareness it gains as the respected facility that it is, the more people we can educate. I don’t need to take pictures to remember my trips to visit the Penguin Parade, I’ll never forget!

72 Patty Saxton

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:48 am

We loved the Penquin Parade! The returning penquins are looking for their babies, and the fuzzy little babies are searching out their parents. When we got back to the U.S. I adopted one of the penguins and love receiving the information about how they are all doing, what’s new at their “hospital”, etc. I also adopted a little penguin for my granddaughter so she can follow all the news and information about this wonderful entity preserving these priceless little guys!
We were in Australia about 7 days and then went on a 12 day cruise around New Zealand, Tasmania, etc. - but the Penquin Parade is what we tell everyone about. It’s a truly unique experience!

71 Rosy Sullivan

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:39 am

The penguin parade is one of the most moving experiences we have seen as a family. Their routine that they follow every night is amazing and they are just the cutest little beings alive.

70 Penny Gibbins

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:31 am

A great experience and a fantastic way to support our wildlife and rescue services.

69 Patricia Geraghty

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:28 am

This is a nature documentary at its best…and you are there in the thick of it. I have been part of the Penguin Parade as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult and never cease to wonder at the beauty, the simplicity and the timelessness of the penguins and their parade….and let’s face it, they are so unbelievably CUTE!

68 Caroline Holyoake

Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am

The Penguin Parade has to be one of the best showpieces in Austral

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