Front seats to the penguin parade

A section of beach on Phillip Island near the penguin parade

The penguin parade on Phillip Island is an unforgettable experience. No photography is allowed so I will have to describe it in words.

Each evening, just after dark, groups of little penguins march ashore from the sea. They return to their burrows to sleep and feed their young after spending all day hunting for food in the sea. They waddle across open areas in groups to stay safe from predators. Then they continue their arduous march uphill, stopping to rest along the way.

The young penguins in the burrows are hungry after a long day of waiting to be fed by their parents and they impatiently call out to them, urging them uphill. It's a mass of noise and stoic procession of the little penguins very much like a show or a parade as they advertise it.

Tourists are able to view the penguins emerge from the water on the beach where seating is provided just like on a stadium. The penguin procession can be followed from wooden walkways that have been built all over the area so the penguins can go their way undisturbed underneath.