Melbourne's Nocturnal Spectacle: The Penguin Parade

As a kid, I always imagined what it would be like if we had wings. I never imagined that I would end up doing my master's in wildlife and researching birds. 🦢 Today, I’m going to showcase the nocturnal spectacle I experienced at Melbourne's Penguin Parade.

When I went to visit these birdies, it was wintertime, so it got dark quite early. Typically, the sunset was around 5 PM to 5:30 PM. We arrived on time to see the world’s tiniest tuxedo-wearing celebrities. There was a board displaying the different events taking place, and some were already sold out. Two were still available, so we chose the general viewing option.

My sister lives in Melbourne, and two of her friends took my parents and me to the Penguin Parade. They drove us on a long ride to reach this location, which is called Phillip Island. This place is known for its numerous penguin watching activities.

The cool part of visiting this place is that from the moment you park your vehicle, you can see the seaside view. There are many different islands, all filled with greenery. We had a hard time finding a place to park since the entrance was closed. However, within the next 10 minutes, it opened, and it was crazy to see that over 50 cars were already parked ahead of us.

Since it took a long time to travel, my folks wanted to visit the washrooms. Meanwhile, my sister's friend and I visited a small, mountain-like patch that had some ducks on it.

Within the next 15 minutes, we watched the sun dip below the horizon. That's when we knew the penguins would soon start to emerge from the waves. The nature park had other wildlife too, but everyone rushed to see the birds that flap their flippers. As the waves grew rougher, the wind began to blow even stronger than before, we knew we have to rush to the event. Before we knew it, it got extremely cold, and the temperature started dropping. Without a jacket, we wouldn't have been able to handle it.

Of course, we couldn't leave without taking some candid photos of me. 😂 I also took a couple of videos of the seaside, the sunset, and the people who kept admiring the nature park.

My relatives on my mother's side had already visited this paradise of a place, and they suggested we visit before heading back to India. It was quite far from where we were staying, but luckily, we had others who drove us to the parade. The bridge had been reconstructed just a couple of months before, which made it easier to reach the viewing location for the penguins' arrival.

It was quite a distance to walk on the boardwalk to reach the specific viewing area. This setup minimised the disturbance to the penguins natural behaviour and allowed us to observe them from a distance. The best part about the boardwalk is that it is comfortable and easy to access, with gentle slopes that make it suitable for older and younger visitors as well.

As we walked on the boardwalk, we got to see iconic species up close. I’m sure I wasn’t the only bird watcher excited to see the white-faced heron and the Australian pelican. I instantly realised that this island is diverse in its habitats and Australia has done a great job supporting birdlife and maintaining its core habitat.
 

In case of any danger, there was a fire hose reel, and every few meters, we could see tiny lights guiding us along the path. These lights helped us navigate safely in the dark and ensured we stayed on the right pathway.

Considering the lengthy walk, there were a few benches placed along the way for those who needed a breather. Some people took the opportunity to photograph the grasslands they were walking through. It was quite refreshing to walk and admire the natural beauty of another country.
 

There was a visitor center where we could purchase tickets to access the main viewing areas, from where we could watch the penguins emerge from the sea and waddle back into their burrows. My suggestion is to book tickets in advance during peak season to secure your time slot. It’s also worth checking for any special offers for these packages, which we missed out on because we delayed our booking. 🎟️

 
We reached the viewing point, where the waves kept hitting the shore. I could spot some seabirds, especially seagulls. I'm using the term 'seagulls' for your reference, but as a birder, I know the correct term is simply 'gulls. 🦅

On the opposite side of the shore, there were seating arrangements for watching the Penguin Parade. A few people had binoculars, some brought flashy cameras, but I rarely saw anyone with professional cameras. 📸

The only disappointing aspect of the parade was the no photography policy. While I understand that flash photography could disturb the penguins and affect their return to their burrows, it’s puzzling why photography without a flash wasn’t allowed.

That’s why you only see photos I took when there was enough natural light. I had to keep my camera in my pocket after that. I wasn’t able to capture any pictures of the penguins returning to their burrows, but I thoroughly enjoyed the view which will remain vividly imprinted in my memory.

As you can see, the benches were slowly filling up, but there was still plenty of benches. We chose the seats in the first two rows to get the closest view of the penguins. Within the next 30 minutes, all the benches were occupied, and it began to get darker. Our eyes gradually adjusted to the twinkling stars, the rough waves, and the penguins arrival.

Can you see the blurry gulls on the seashore? The waves began to roll, and the penguins would glide and swim along with them. They arrived in groups, but sometimes penguins would get lost in the waves. They seemed more frightened when separated from their group. Some bold penguins ventured out alone while the others searched for the missing ones, returning to the sea to bring them back.

Each time a group of penguins got separated, we could hear a few people chuckling in the audience. Our gaze remained fixed on the waves, hoping to spot more arriving penguins. There were many groups, with at least seven groups in total and sometimes we saw up to 30 penguins in a single group.

Behind the scenes of such a successful Penguin Parade was a dedicated team of rangers. Their job was to ensure that all the penguins returned safely. They briefed us as each group of penguins arrived at the shore and repeatedly reminded us not to use flash photography. The rangers kept track of the number of penguins that came back and though I can’t recall the exact number, it was definitely over 100. It was the penguins themselves who seemed like paparazzi, with everyone eager to capture the adorable flapping moments on their cameras.

These little birds have a unique sense of style, with their classic black and white tuxedos seeming to be their daily wear. It felt like a real wildlife show, watching the drama unfold as they wiggled their cute little backs to make their way home. There were so many burrows created by these birds and finding their own took about an hour.

Everyone sat with undivided attention as the lights were switched on behind us to help us see the penguins more clearly. Later, we walked back on the boardwalk under the most twinkling sky I’ve ever seen. 🌌 Below the boardwalk was the pathway leading to the penguins beautiful homes.

The natural park’s attractions and guided tour provided a rich experience for nature enthusiasts like me. The combination of informative commentary and the chance to observe wildlife up close truly enhanced our visit.

This tour offered valuable insights into the park’s ecosystems and the efforts made to protect and sustain them, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about nature.

Before we left, we stopped by the souvenir shops. I saw many tourists buying penguin plushies and photos they couldn’t take themselves. There were massive lines just to get a souvenir to take home. It was indeed a night filled with flippery fun, with wildlife that knew exactly how to put on a show. The next time you’re in Melbourne, make sure to visit Phillip Island. You’ll definitely leave with a smile on your face and a newfound appreciation for nature.