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USD $49.00
Phillip Island Ultimate Penguin Eco Tour or Skybox Experience
Phillip Island, Australia
Want the best penguin viewing opportunities in Australia? Take the Penguin Eco Tour for a premium penguin experience that offers a personalized, intimate wildlife experience. Or choose the Underground Viewing option to enjoy the closest possible viewing of the Penguin Parade at eye-level.
ULTIMATE PENGUIN ECO TOUR: Designed to cater for up to 10 people only, this fully accredited eco tour takes visitors to a stunning, secluded beach to view the little penguins waddling ashore to their sand dune burrows. The beach is in a completely different location to the standard Penguin Parade. This tour is the premium penguin experience on offer and ideal for those seeking a more personalized, intimate wildlife experience. As the sun sets and the light fades, participants can use night vision technology to view the penguins. Rangers provide an informative commentary which visitors listen to through personal headphones.
SKYBOX VIP EXPERIENCE : Enjoy the Penguin Parade (the world's smallest penguins in their natural habitat) from the comfort of an exclusive, elevated viewing tower. Located at the main viewing stands at the Penguin Parade, this option allows for 10 people each evening to have 'pole position' for penguin viewing. Warm and dry, you will enjoy an excellent overview of Summerland Beach and the penguin burrows. Interact with the ranger and take part in the penguin count to assist in the ongoing research of the Phillip Island penguins! The Skybox Experience also includes canapes and non-alcoholic beverages.
UNDERGROUND VIEWING: Enjoy the Penguin Parade with a bird's-eye view as you view the world's smallest penguins in their natural habitat in the world-first underground facility. Designed to cater for up to 70 people only, enjoy the Penguin Parade at eye-level and the closest possible viewing point undercover through the glass with expert commentary from a local ranger. You will also have access to the new Penguins Plus viewing platform, the new platform mirrors the coves of Phillip Island’s spectacular southern coastline and offers visitors unprecedented, up-close viewing of the little penguins as they make their way along the most popular penguin pathway at the Penguin Parade.
Before your tour, check out the Nobbies Centre, Phillip Island's newest eco-tourism attraction. This free world class marine attraction provides the chance to discover the wonders of the Australian marine environment through educational displays, conservation presentations and optional ranger guided tours. Fully interactive cameras at Seal Rocks (2km off shore) allow visitors to zoom in, catch a glimpse and take your very own photos of the Australian Fur Seals.
The ultimate eco tour is fantastic and well worth the money. Some things they dont make clear, however:_br/_ Absolutely no photography is allowed _br/_ They supply a windbreaker and rain pants to go over your own cold weather clothing. These are actually mandatory, so dont bring your own._br/_ Wear shoes you dont mind getting muddy.
Review by: Adam M, October 2017
Great tour! It was pretty off-season so we were the only two to sign up, which meant we had a tour guide and a private viewing beach all to ourselves! Our guide was great and the penguins were plenty cute. Night vision scope really made the difference in being able to see the little guys coming out of the water, since it was pretty dark before a lot of them came out.
Review by: Christopher R, February 2017
We did the ultimate tour and sat right on the beach with the penguins. It was cold and windy but it was worth it to be so close to the penguins. The park provided waterproof jackets and pants and they came in handy since it rained a little the night we were there. The walk back isn't too far and you see a lot more penguins along the way.
Review by: Julie W, February 2017
so informative - guide was amazing and knowledgable. lying in the sand dunes with our night vision goggles on was a once in a lifetime event - watching the beautiful little penguins coming up from the water. When we got back to the centre we watched a mother and chicks and a bachelor preparing his pad - AMAZING - cant recommend this tour enough
Review by: Allan H, January 2017
Better than we could have hoped! Guide was brilliant, beach was secluded, penguins were EVERYWHERE! The whole thing was so well organised and so lovely. I would not recommend you do any other tour but this one, we saw the crowds at the general viewing platform and I would not have wanted to be part of it.. This was just perfect!
Review by: Lynn M, January 2017
This tour is amazing. Well worth the upgrade to the ultimate tour. We met our ranger Tom an hour before dusk, he was very knowledgable and entertaining. There are only 10 people in the group so it makes the tour more personal and exclusive. You head to your own private beach away from the rest of the crowds and sit on the sand and wait for the penguins to arrive. It is a wonderful experience to see the penguins walk right past you literally only a few feet away from you. Wonderful experience, would do it again
Review by: Sue B, January 2017
We did this small group tour in October. Getting to the observe the penguin's so close on the beach was an experience of a lifetime. The tour guide was very passionate and knowledgeable. Night vision goggles, clothing and beach chair was all provided. It was well worth paying the extra for the ultimate experience. It was excellent.
Review by: John K, October 2016
This is a once in a lifetime up close view of the penguins. Don't miss it
Review by: Colleen W, September 2016
Sitting on the beach a few meters away from the little penguins was an experience of a lifetime. It's definitely worth the extra money.
Review by: Sandra J, July 2016
Fantastic experience up close and personal with the Penguins. Well worth the extra cost to be so close. Would highly recommend this option.
Review by: Karen H, April 2016
The whole experience was amazing it was the highlight of my holiday
Review by: Timothy R, February 2016
Very cool but need own transport to get there
Review by: Junaid S, November 2015
Loved this tour! Was very personalised - only 10 people on the tour. We got to see penguins up close on a secluded beach with no one else around. Wonderful experience.
Review by: rebeccaulrich, April 2015
From start to finish it was perfect. We are so glad we did the VIP package. We had a wonderful ranger meet us and answer all our questions. We had reserved seats at the very front of the parade. If you're going, make it extra special.
Review by: justin m, April 2015
This was an outstanding trip. Very unique and individualized, with a great tour guide/ranger Cecilia who was fantastic at explaining everything. We saw 200 penguins at very close range on a wonderfully secluded moonlit beach, with a total of 10 people. The only things that I would suggest viator emphasize up front so that people are well aware are that there is NO photography, and NO transport from Melbourne.
Review by: Giancarlo M, March 2014
Ultimate Eco tour was an experience I will never forget! Saw 300 tiny penguins up close!!!! Amazing!
Review by: Michael P, January 2014
The Penguin Eco Tour was brilliant. We were seeing the penguins in their own environment rather than seeing them come into ours. A memorable experience
Review by: Jennifer D, December 2013
We were very pleased with our trip to see the Little Penguins. Tim, our guide, was a friendly, informative young man and told us so much abount the Penguins that we did not know. All the staff were friendly and helpful and we would recommend this Eco Tour to anyone. Thank you all very much.
Review by: Russell B, August 2013
Unexpectedly fabulous! Up close and personal with thousands of penguins instead of thousands of tourists. Our ranger, Michele, started with a very detailed and informative orientation and history about the penguins of Phillip Island. Then we donned our rain gear and rode in a van to the secluded beach opposite the main beach where thousands sit in the bleachers. Though the tide was high, the weather was perfect and we managed to find a narrow spit of sand to sit on. At 6:17pm, we saw the first raft of penguins emerge from the surf and head for the bluffs. The infrared monoscopes worked great and we counted over 200 penguins. All the time, we could hear commentary by Michele whispered over our wireless headsets. I appreciated that Michele seemed in no particular hurry as we returned through the penguin "suburbs" where we could observe the penguin interactions. Traffic is blocked from the area at sunset so we had the birds all to ourselves (along with a few wallabies). The Eco Tour was one of the most enjoyable events and one of the best values of our trip. Don't forget, cameras are absolutely forbidden so get your photo taken in the main building against a green screen. You get a price discount on the photo as well as free hot chocolate at the end.
Review by: CHARLES K C N, August 2013
We went on the ultimate penguin tour, which is away from the main parade area and on a beach on the other side of the Nobbies headland. The experience, however, was not as good as we had hoped, mainly because it is so dark that it wasn't possible to see the penguins even when they are right in front of us. We resorted to military night-vision scopes in order to see them - but still, it is difficult because the field of vision is severely limited bu the scope. On the way back from the beach, however, we could see shadows of penguins everywhere. Apparently they nest all over the Nobbies! even next to the parking lot!
Review by: wendy P, May 2013
I can HIGHLY recommend the Penguin Eco Tour, as all the other tours sat on concrete stairs with flood lights on and watched the penguin come in, we went with the ranger to a isolated beach with night googles and sat on the beach and watched the penguin come in within 2 feet of us. The ranger also explained everything to us and were able to see on the walk back from the beach where the penguin were nestlng. The next day when we drove around we knew what to look for and saw several penguins ourselves, which we would not have been able to do if it was not for the information the ranger told us. _br/_
You can not go wrong with this tour.
Review by: David H, March 2013
This penguin package was awesome - and I nearly didn't get there. If you buy a ticket like this bear in mind that getting to Philip Island and back to Melb on your own same night is nigh on impossible - The Little Penguin Bus is your only option and I had to find that myself, they were great too.
Review by: Ryan A, November 2012
This trip was excellent. The unique experience of seeing them literally a few feet in front was one in a million. The only downfall was how little time you got and the fact you can't take pictures anymore. But that didn't affect the experience
Review by: suz, April 2012
I forgot to confirm our booking (becausI didn't read the instructions after printing the voucher, however 2 hours before our tour I rang to confirm and was instructed on what to do on arrival and when to be there. We were greeted very courteously and shown to the conference room where our night began which was thoroughly enjoyable and very informative. Highly recommend this tour. Be prepared for the cold though.
Review by: suz, April 2012
I forgot to confirm our booking (becausI didn't read the instructions after printing the voucher, however 2 hours before our tour I rang to confirm and was instructed on what to do on arrival and when to be there. We were greeted very courteously and shown to the conference room where our night began which was thoroughly enjoyable and very informative. Highly recommend this tour. Be prepared for the cold though.
Review by: TABLE TALK DINING, May 2010
Was totally awe struck by this tour. We did the skybox which I thouroughly recommend, however, we were advised on booking that it included nibbles and champagne, however this was not made available, so that was a little disapointing.
Review by: Rodger N, April 2010
We had a great experience despite of the weather, Melbourne had hailstorm, we only had rain. As there was a severe weather warning we were unable to go out to the private beach for the ultimate tour. however we still had our own ranger for 10 of us, provided excellent comentry and insight, full wet weather gear, front row seats and additional viewing from the skybox. I can't wait to go again and get out to the private beach.
Review by: Rodger N, Australia, March 2010
We had a great experience despite of the weather, Melbourne had hailstorm, we only had rain. As there was a severe weather warning we were unable to go out to the private beach for the ultimate tour. however we still had our own ranger for 10 of us, provided excellent comentry and insight, full wet weather gear, front row seats and additional viewing from the skybox. I can't wait to go again and get out to the private beach.
Review by: HEATHER G, Australia, November 2009
Was totally awe struck by this tour. We did the skybox which I thouroughly recommend, however, we were advised on booking that it included nibbles and champagne, however this was not made available, so that was a little disapointing.
Review by: TABLE TALK DINING, November 2009
Was totally awe struck by this tour. We did the skybox which I thouroughly recommend, however, we were advised on booking that it included nibbles and champagne, however this was not made available, so that was a little disapointing.
Review by: Kevin M, August 2008
A truly wonderful night! This is so recommended. Unforgettable!
Review by: Jill W, August 2008
Very enjoyable experience and very good guide.
Review by: Kevin M, Australia, November 2007
A truly wonderful night! This is so recommended. Unforgettable!
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