- Published:
- Friday 14 March 2025
Phillip Island’s world-famous Penguin Parade is selling out as visitors get closer than ever to the with penguins with upgraded viewing stands and a new boardwalk along the beachfront thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today congratulated the Phillip Island Nature Parks team for continuing to grow one of Australia’s most iconic tourist attractions, while protecting our precious coastal habitat.
The Penguin Parade summer season experienced a record 47 sell out nights between December 2024 and February 2025.
Works to establish the new Shearwater Boardwalk and viewing stand received $5 million from the Labor Government’s, adding additional seating and letting visitors get a close up experience while ensuring the safety of both Penguins and visitors alike.
Importantly the upgrades make it more accessible for all Victorians to enjoy the penguin viewing stands, increasing the visitor capacity and creating an even closer view of the little penguins waddling home each evening.
The upgrades required careful consideration to protect the little penguins’ sensitive natural habitat from heavy construction vehicles.
As part of the construction, steel framework was lifted by helicopter into location, with a skilled pilot guiding the beams and frames into position.
Other components of the boardwalk were carried in by hand and installed one-by-one to ensure as little disruption as possible to Phillip Island’s much loved little penguin population.
All works were conducted with qualified wildlife officers on-site, ensuring any penguins present during construction were monitored and undisturbed by the works.
To book your next visit to the Penguin Parade, visit penguins.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
“The Penguin Parade is one of Victoria’s most loved tourist attractions, bringing more than 700,000 visitors a year, we are proud to support the Parade that is bring even more visitors to see these adorable little penguins.”
“It has been a remarkable summer for the Penguin Parade, selling out a record 47 nights between December 2024 and February 2025.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“These upgrades are a huge win for Phillip Island, boosting local tourism, supporting businesses, and ensuring visitors keep coming back to experience the magic of the Penguin Parade.”