The Fairy Parade…

This is a truly memorable natural wildlife experience. At sunset witness hundreds of Little Penguins even known as Fairy Penguins waddle ashore onto the island’s Summerland Beach and pose for the visitors along the way! The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, only 140 kilometers south-east of Melbourne. It is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of Little Penguins. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade".

The Parade is open every day of the year. The best time to visit is at sunset/dusk if you wish to see the actual "penguin parade". This is when the penguins cross Summerland Beach to return to their sand-dune burrows. After a day fishing for food in the waters surrounding Phillip Island, the penguins make their way across Summerland Beach in groups. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade". This unique "parade" can be experienced from environmentally friendly observation boardwalks and viewing stands.

Visitors can see these little Penguins from 2m. You then get to walk along with them - or rather on boardwalks above them - and watch them toddle and squawk to find their burrows in the dunes. The Penguins are protected. So not to disturb them, you are not allowed to take pictures of them. The Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world and only 33cm tall. They has dark feathers are not black but a deep, rich blue. Their color camouflages them from above and below the surface of the ocean. It is an unbelievable sight. Penguins are fantastic swimmers but it’s quite a struggle for them to waddle across the sand dunes. Many pause, look around. Some older ones struggle, others squabble…

Needless to say everyone loves it...