The Marvels of Penguins on Phillip Island -Fahmida Mehreen

Australia is a vast country filled with ample natural riches to explore. It is the largest country by area in Oceania; it is a continent and the sixth largest country on the globe. This independent nation has the mainland Australian continent along with many islands surrounding it, including Tasmania.

All across the world, people come to Australia for education, in search of jobs, and even for migration. Other than livelihood, millions of tourists cross the oceans every year to experience its natural wonders, encompassing wide sandy and rocky beaches, the blue ocean, far-stretched areas of green farmlands, the deserts, the forests, and the outback. Besides the natural attractions, Australia is home to some of the world’s megacities, like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Each is located in different parts and states of the country and calls in people for various purposes and attractions.

Talking about Melbourne, the Australian state of Victoria’s capital, it’s Australia’s second-most-populated city after Sydney. Most people visiting Australia, particularly those visiting for the first time, usually do not miss visiting Melbourne. Like the rest of the country, Melbourne experiences winter from June to August and summer from December to February. During the winter, temperatures range from 6.5 degrees Celsius to -14.4 degrees Celsius. On the contrary, summers can be much warmer, with temperatures going up to 30 degrees Celsius and heatwaves hitting once or twice during the season. During days of severe heat, people are advised to stay indoors, use sunscreen, and avoid camping due to the high risk of bushfires. Regardless, the summer in Australia is one of the best times for tourists. Keeping the attractions of New Year’s Eve in mind, many tourists plan their visits around this time of the year.

Melbourne is a city filled with both historical, natural, and cosmopolitan sites to see. The Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles, Phillip Island with Penguin Parade, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, the State Library, and many more are prime attractions in and around the city. You can take a walking tour to see the sites located in the city. It is the best way to learn about the local cultures, including their great knack and enthusiasm for coffee! For sites outside the city, booking a tour in advance is best, so you do not have to worry about routing and exploring. Different packages within an array of price ranges will have multiple offerings for you, and you are free to make your choice.

Amidst many of the finest natural attractions in Melbourne, the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is a spectacle that one must not miss when in Melbourne. Phillip Island is one of the largest colonies for penguins in the world. It is about a 90-minute drive from the city of Melbourne. Every evening of the year, the cute, amazing seabirds waddle to the shore in their burrows. Tourists can witness this startling sight from the boardwalks and viewing platforms. Commonly, it is a half-day tour where you start in the afternoon. The timing varies depending on the winter and summer seasons. On the way, you can visit the Koala Reservation and witness the squishy koalas curling themselves up on the eucalyptus trees and napping most of the time. You will also get the chance to walk down the immaculate beaches of Phillip Island. Finally, 20 to 30 minutes before sunset, head towards the viewing area of the penguins and grab your spot. Each night, hundreds of endearing and adorable penguins, who grow no bigger than 32cm, waddle up the beach for the famous Penguin Parade. After daylong fishing and time at the sea, they return home in huddles for the night in their natural habitats. Usually, the penguins start to come at dusk. Because they are very small, it may sometimes be difficult to make them out in low light. However, as they walk on the island, you can take a close look at them from the long boardwalks. It is mentionable that the authorities constantly state that no photography is allowed as the penguins are not welcoming to the flashy lights of the camera. There are about four different types of viewing options. General viewing and Penguins Plus ticket holders are advised to arrive about 40 minutes before the arrival of the penguins to get a good tiered seat. Underground ticket holders may arrive 30 minutes before the penguins are expected to arrive, and Ranger Guided Tours’ timings will depend on individual departure times following the tour itinerary. If you are travelling during the holiday season in the summer or on long weekends, please expect crowds and keep extra time in hand.

To go to Phillip Island, one may use private transport if their friends and family take them around, use public transport and route their own ways, or book a tour with a well-reputed travel company for a guided tour to the Penguin Parade and more around the island. However, please note in advance that no public transport may be available to take you all the way due to the area’s remoteness. If you are picking a guided tour, you are likely to pay between AUD 100 and AUD 120, including a visit to the Koala Reserve, a mesmerizing visit at the Nobbies, where you can watch the infinite Antarctic, take a relaxing walk, explore the small town of Crowes, grab a big bite of fish and chips, and many other foods at the local cafes and restaurants. Tickets do not include food, and you must buy your own. However, tickets shall include Penguin Parade seating, and the price will depend on your choice of seating area. Since the seating area is mostly open and the wind comes straight from the ocean, you must be prepared with warm clothes, umbrellas, and raincoats, even in the summer. The wind can be very chilly. Beware of the seagulls! They fly very close and avoid carrying food or drinks near the seaside.

Overall, this half-day’s tour with koalas and penguins and the marvellous sea will be a worthwhile experience. So, when planning to visit Melbourne, do not forget to keep this on your watchlist and try to make a tour reservation well in advance. You should have adequate time to book another if there are any cancellations. The recommended time to visit is, of course, during the summer. Yet, if you are a tourist in the winter, put on your winter gear and take your chances to sit by the chilling sea and watch the penguins waddle up! You will surely not be disappointed.