Hi,
i can’t recommend a tour company, as I always drive, but if you visit the Information Centre in Federation Square, they will be able to make recommendations, based on what you want to see, budget, etc.,
i have seen good good reviews for Go West, and if you have a look at Trip Advisor, there are reviews for quite a few tour companies.
Theres is a lot more to Phillip Island than the penguins, charming though they are. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/
If I were doing a tour, I’d look for one that leaves early, covers Churchill Island, the Vietnam memorial museum, Cowes, Rhyll, boat trip to Seal Island, Koala Conservation Centre and, of course, the Penguin Parade.
February is a a good time to go. School holidays are over, so you should have no trouble booking a day or so ahead. Do take a jacket. It may be summer, but it can get VERY chilly at the seashore with the southerly wind blowing.
i can’t recommend a tour company, as I always drive, but if you visit the Information Centre in Federation Square, they will be able to make recommendations, based on what you want to see, budget, etc.,
i have seen good good reviews for Go West, and if you have a look at Trip Advisor, there are reviews for quite a few tour companies.
Theres is a lot more to Phillip Island than the penguins, charming though they are. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/
If I were doing a tour, I’d look for one that leaves early, covers Churchill Island, the Vietnam memorial museum, Cowes, Rhyll, boat trip to Seal Island, Koala Conservation Centre and, of course, the Penguin Parade.
February is a a good time to go. School holidays are over, so you should have no trouble booking a day or so ahead. Do take a jacket. It may be summer, but it can get VERY chilly at the seashore with the southerly wind blowing.
You have lots of choices.
A few years ago, I took an "afternoon Phillip Island Penguin Parade" tour with Bunyip Tours and we also stopped at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, Moonlit Sanctuary, and The Nobbies (I think they no longer stop in at the Chocolate Factory). For a few dollars more, they also offer an all-day Phillip Island "ultimate tour" that also includes visits to Churchill Island Heritage Farm (sheep shearing & working dogs), the Koala Conservation Centre, and Cape Woolamai surf beach. The tours included admission to attractions (those that charge) and we were free to explore on our own, instead of walking around as a group. Because I also took their Great Ocean Road tour, I got complimentary passes for the Eureka Skydeck and the Sealife Melbourne Aquarium. On another occasion, I also took a tour to Wilson's Promontory with them.
Friends of mine recently traveled to Phillip Island with Go West. Their tour itinerary was pretty much identical to my afternoon Penguin Parade tour, also stopping at Moonlit Sanctuary and The Nobbies, though instead of the Chocolate Factory they went to Brighton Beach. I don't think they offer a more extensive tour of Phillip Island. Because my friends also did the Great Ocean Road tour with them, they got a discount.
A traveler on this forum also gave a good review for ATWAD tours to Phillip Island.
I'm pretty sure all of the above are smaller group tours rather than big bus tours.
A few years ago, I took an "afternoon Phillip Island Penguin Parade" tour with Bunyip Tours and we also stopped at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, Moonlit Sanctuary, and The Nobbies (I think they no longer stop in at the Chocolate Factory). For a few dollars more, they also offer an all-day Phillip Island "ultimate tour" that also includes visits to Churchill Island Heritage Farm (sheep shearing & working dogs), the Koala Conservation Centre, and Cape Woolamai surf beach. The tours included admission to attractions (those that charge) and we were free to explore on our own, instead of walking around as a group. Because I also took their Great Ocean Road tour, I got complimentary passes for the Eureka Skydeck and the Sealife Melbourne Aquarium. On another occasion, I also took a tour to Wilson's Promontory with them.
Friends of mine recently traveled to Phillip Island with Go West. Their tour itinerary was pretty much identical to my afternoon Penguin Parade tour, also stopping at Moonlit Sanctuary and The Nobbies, though instead of the Chocolate Factory they went to Brighton Beach. I don't think they offer a more extensive tour of Phillip Island. Because my friends also did the Great Ocean Road tour with them, they got a discount.
A traveler on this forum also gave a good review for ATWAD tours to Phillip Island.
I'm pretty sure all of the above are smaller group tours rather than big bus tours.
We did a full day VIP tour using small group tour company, Oceania Tours & Safaris and it was absolutely amazing. The guide picked us up in a mini-van from our hotel. The tour included a long pit stop at the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park, which was great, because we finally got to get up close and personal with Kangaroos and Wombats, as well as the ever-so-cute wallabies. There's also the ability ($10AU extra) to have a meet and great (and photo op) with a koala bear.
What I liked about paying extra for the "VIP" portion of the Penguin Parade is that aside from getting a guide for the maximum 10 of us, and getting a little background and historical info of Phillips Island and the penguins, we were able to sit in an enclosed windowed hut above the sand with the park penguin counters (yes, they are counted each day!) with binoculars they provide, for an up front (and warm!) experience while the others freeze their you-know-whats off in the bleacher seating below.
What I liked about paying extra for the "VIP" portion of the Penguin Parade is that aside from getting a guide for the maximum 10 of us, and getting a little background and historical info of Phillips Island and the penguins, we were able to sit in an enclosed windowed hut above the sand with the park penguin counters (yes, they are counted each day!) with binoculars they provide, for an up front (and warm!) experience while the others freeze their you-know-whats off in the bleacher seating below.
