Autopia Tours · Immigration Museum, Melbourne
A day on Phillip Island with Autopia Tours: wild koalas from the treetop boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Reserve, The Nobbies, an hour in Cowes, then the parade at sunset. Pick it for the Penguins Plus upgrade, which puts you on a smaller stand closer to the penguins' path.
Autopia Tours spends the whole day on the island, which is the main difference from the trips that stop at Moonlit Sanctuary on the way. The bus leaves from the Market Street side of the Immigration Museum, where it waits for you; there's no hotel pickup. After two hours on the road comes a scenic drive and an hour at the Koala Conservation Reserve, where an 800 m treetop boardwalk takes you up level with koalas in the gums. They're wild, so you may need to look hard.
Next is The Nobbies for an hour, a break in Cowes for an hour, and the parade for the last two. The base ticket is General Viewing; you can choose the Penguins Plus upgrade when you book (on the official site a Penguins Plus ticket is A$93 for an adult, against A$34 for General). It's a smaller, dedicated stand nearer the penguins, and it's the reason to pick this tour over a cheaper one. Children's prices apply up to age 12.
A few warnings. The itinerary still calls the stop "The Nobbies Tourist Centre", but the centre has been closed since a storm in May 2025; you get the boardwalks and the views, not the café. The tour doesn't take wheelchairs, prams or pushchairs, and babies under 1 aren't suitable. Children up to 4 need a child seat, which is free if you ask for it at booking. Departure moves with sunset, and you're back at about 8:30 to 9:30 pm in winter, 11 pm to midnight in summer.
Find the bus on the Market Street side. The departure time follows the season, because the day ends at sunset.
Through Melbourne's south-east suburbs and over the bridge, then a scenic loop on the island.
Walk the treetop boardwalks and look up: koalas often sleep in plain sight in the forks of the gums.
Clifftop boardwalks, the blowhole and the view to Seal Rocks. The centre building is closed.
Eat, shop or walk the beach in the island's main town. Meals aren't included.
General Viewing or Penguins Plus, as booked. Back at the museum between about 8:30 pm and midnight.
★★★★★Amazing wildlife tour with koalas, wallabies, and Little Penguins.
★★★★★It was great!! Sam, our guide, was upbeat, funny and informative!!
★★★★★Great experience! The little blue penguin is so unique, and the coast is beautiful.
★★★★★The whole trip was one big highlight. With a great Penguin Parade at the end.
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Only if you choose the upgrade when you book. The standard price includes General Viewing. Penguins Plus is a smaller stand closer to where the penguins cross.
The Immigration Museum on Flinders Street, on the Market Street side, where the bus waits. There's no hotel pickup or drop-off.
Not under 1 year old. Children aged 1 to 4 need a child seat, which the operator provides free if you request it at booking. Prams and pushchairs can't come.
About 8:30 to 9:30 pm in winter and 11 pm to midnight in summer, because the penguins arrive later as the days get longer. Our arrival times guide lists them by month.
Ready to book
The Koala Conservation Reserve, The Nobbies, a break in Cowes and the parade, with an optional Penguins Plus upgrade.
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