Penguin Parade Phillip Island

Penguin Parade Phillip Island

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Posted 2015-10-04 by Postcards from Shaynefollow
Phillip Island is known as a haven for wildlife such as seals, unique seabirds and penguins. However it is shocking to learn that since European settlement the ten penguin colonies on Phillip Island have been reduced to only one. Furthermore, as recently as the 1980s, it was predicted that no penguins would remain on the Summerland Peninsula by the early 1990's if the colony was not protected. This is where the programs of Phillip Island Nature Parks are essential in the protection and conservation of the unique wildlife on the island.



The history of the Summerland Peninsula, where the Penguin Parade is situated, is interesting in itself. Since the 1920's organised groups have been viewing the penguins here, but unfortunately due to the lack of proper management major sections of penguin habitat were destroyed and penguin burrows were often trampled by the crowds of visitors. It is hard to imagine now but back then a housing estate was planned in this area and the land divided in to over 700 housing allotments. Some conservation measures were introduced in the 1950's when the local council installed wire fences and viewing stands to protect the penguins. Then in the 1980s new boardwalks were built, and a program was implemented for the control of penguin predators such as foxes and dogs. Car access to the peninsula at night was also restricted.

It wasn't until the Penguin Protection Plan was announced in 1985 that the government decided this land was unsuitable for a housing estate and a buyback of the peninsula began. Finally in 1996 Phillip Island Nature Parks was established to manage most of the natural areas on Phillip Island, including the Penguin Parade.

Little Penguin trivia: One fox can kill up to 40 penguins a night

Phillip Island Nature Parks aims to balance ecotourism and recreational opportunities with the protection of wildlife and it's natural habitat. It is a not for profit conservation organisation and today looks after 1805 hectares across Phillip Island. Tourism on the island is managed in a way that can benefit the area by raising awareness of environmental issues and by using the funds from ticket sales and investing in conservation, research, education, wildlife rescue, and environment activities.

Such is the case at the nightly Penguin Parade on Phillip Island where you have the opportunity to view the world's smallest penguins. Aptly named Little Penguins, you can watch as they arrive on the beach, then waddle across the sand to return to their burrows in the sand dunes.



So what is so special about these penguins? Well, Little Penguins are the only penguin found permanently in Australia. It is estimated that 32,000 Little Penguins live on Phillip Island, making it one of the largest colonies of this species in the world. Named due to their size, Little Penguins are the smallest of 17 penguin species, but they are a big tourist attraction.
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Little Penguin trivia - Little Penguins are only around 33cm high , with a weight of only 1kg**

I was excited to attend the Penguin Parade in late September 2015. While officially spring time, the weather was anything but warm. My advice would be to bring warm clothes, blankets, beanies, rugs or even ski gear just in case, no matter what the season. On the night we attended it felt like the cold wind was coming straight from Antarctica.

While the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre is open daily from 9am, it is useful to know that the penguins don't arrive until sunset every night. The sunset time varies throughout the year but you can consult the Penguin Arrival Time Calendar on the Penguin Parade website before you go.
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Little Penguin trivia: Little Penguins return to land at sunset in order to avoid predators such as large gulls or sea eagles.**

Most people arrive around 1 - 2 hours before sunset in order to look through the Visitor Centre and have something to eat before the Little Penguins make their appearance.



The Visitor Centre aims to teach visitors about the life of Little Penguins and how Phillip Island Nature Parks is protecting them. There is plenty of information about the daily life of a Little Penguin, their predators and how humans also have an impact on them. There are interesting displays to explore and a small theatre. In the Visitor Centre you will also find a gift shop, small café and the "Little Penguin Photo Experience". You may be surprised to learn that no photography or filming of the penguins is allowed so if you want a souvenir photo the Little Penguin Photo Experience is your only option.

The first thing that hits you as you enter the boardwalk that goes down to the beach is the smell of the penguin colony and of their burrows which lie in the surrounding sand dunes. The raised boardwalk protects the colony whilst maintaining access to the public.



The seating at the viewing area of the beach is on a couple of large concrete grand stands and you are also able to stand along the boardwalk. If you want a seat down the front of the grand stand you need to get there early. I would also advise that a rug or a beach towel will make the grand stand more comfortable to sit on.



While waiting for sunset the park rangers provide information about the penguins. I was interested to learn that the penguins usually land in a similar place every night and take the same path to reach their burrows. Before they arrived we could actually see the markings from their beach crossing the night before.
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Little Penguin trivia: A group of penguins at sea is called a raft, however on land a group of penguins is called a waddle.**



While waiting for the penguins to arrive you can enjoy the beach sunset and I was lucky enough to see a seal in the water, trying to steal the show. But as the sun went down the anticipation grew, as everyone scanned the water line for the first sign of a Little Penguin.

And it wasn't long before we heard delighted oohs and aahs from the crowd as the first solitary Little Penguin arrived, like an advance scout. He stood at the water line, waddled a few steps, then returned to the water. He did this a few more times before some of his Little Penguin friends arrived. Then as a group they "waddled" across the beach and in to the sand dunes. There were three places along the beach that the penguins were using to cross and as the Little Penguins arrived in groups there were plenty of opportunities to watch their entertaining habits.

When you have seen enough at the beach you can walk up on to the boardwalk area and watch the penguins follow the paths to their burrows.

We actually found the best viewing of the penguins was along the boardwalk , even right up towards the Visitor Centre. You could get very close to the penguins (behind the wire fence of course) and some of the penguins were even interested in stopping to look at the crowd of tourists.

Visitors are constantly reminded that no filming or photography is allowed. This is to protect the penguins who have very sensitive eyes and who may be frightened or disoriented by bright lights.

We spent around 50 minutes viewing the penguins and enjoyed the experience. I found the Penguin Parade to be a unique opportunity to learn about the Little Penguins, be amused and entertained by their nightly parade to their burrows, and also contribute to their protection and conservation for future generations.

For ticket prices or to book click here.

There is also an option to buy a 3 Park Pass which includes entry to the Penguin Parade, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Koala Conservation Centre. This pass is worthwhile if you intend to visit all three of these attractions. For more information click here.

For further information about protecting the Little Penguins of Phillip Island or to become involved in the Adopt a Penguin program please visit The Penguin Foundation.

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210705 - 2023-06-16 06:30:25

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