Native Wildlife on Phillip Island

Phillip Island is one of Victoria’s big-ticket tourist attractions and home to over 10,000 humans and tens of thousands of non-humans. These non-humans are the island’s native wildlife living in their natural habitats. They are responsible for the growth of the island’s tourism, attracting more than 1.1 million visitors in 2017 and generating a revenue of over $31.1 million in income from transactions.f

Nature Parks

Phillip Island is 120km south east of Melbourne and is approximately 100 square kilometres in size, 90% of which was cleared for housing, urban development and farming and the rest is wildlife habitat including wetlands, woodlands, coastlines, beaches and salt marshes.

In 1996, the Victorian State Government created Phillip Island Nature Parks (PINP) to manage and oversee the 1,805 hectares of conservation reserves on the island in 9 separate areas. These natural habitats include the Penguin Parade, Seal Rocks Fauna Reserve, Cape Woolamai State Faunal Reserve, Summerland Estate, Rhyll and Rowell Wetlands, Oswin Roberts Reserve, Ventnor Koala Reserve, Koala Conservation Centre, Newhaven Swamp and Churchill Island & Fishers Wetland.

A self funded non-profit organisation, PINP’s funding comes from island ecotourism. The Penguin Parade is the only commercial attraction on the island, allowing visitors to see the flightless birds in their natural habitat

Phillip Island’s Wildlife

There are over 40 different native wildlife species on the island including other mammals and marsupials such as koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, possums and Australian fur seals.
Visitors can see Australian fur seals on the rocks at Seal Rocks, little penguins returning home at the Penguin Parade or koalas at the Koala Conservation Reserve. Bird lovers will love the abundant bird life on the island, including the tawny frogmouth, Cape Barren Geese and wading birds like the hooded plover.

World-Famous Penguin Parade

One of the island’s best attractions is the world-famous Penguin Parade, where hundreds of little penguins waddle across the beach to their burrows every evening. This happens at Summerlands, part of the Phillip Island Nature Parks and gives you a glimpse into the lives of these cuties. The Penguin Parade is managed to protect the penguins and provide an amazing experience for visitors. The viewing platforms and boardwalks get you up close without disturbing the penguins. You must see it when you visit Phillip Island.

See Lazy Seals at Seal Rocks

At the western end of the island is Seal Rocks, home to the largest colony of fur seals in Australia. These resident fur seals can be seen basking on the rocks or swimming in the coastal waters. You can go on a Seal Rocks adventure with Wildlife Coast Cruises and get up close to these curious creatures in their natural habitat. The fur seal colonies at Seal Rocks are part of a delicate ecosystem, and conservation efforts are being put in place to protect them. Seal Rocks is a must-see for anyone who wants to see marine wildlife in its purest form.

See the Koalas

If you want to see koalas up close, the Koala Conservation Reserve is the place to go. This sanctuary allows visitors to see cute koalas in their natural habitat as they lounge in the gum trees. Elevated treetop boardwalks get you closer to these cuties while you learn about the conservation efforts to protect their homes. The Koala Conservation Centre is a family-friendly attraction and a great educational experience that will help you appreciate the importance of koala conservation.

Possums

Of the 23 species of possum found in Australia, 2 of them are on Phillip Island — the silvery grey common brushtail possum and the grizzled grey-brown ringtail possum. Possums are Australian native marsupials.

San Remo Pelicans

Every day at midday, the jetty in San Remo comes alive as a group of pelicans congregate for their daily feed. This is a great opportunity to learn about these amazing birds and see their size and majesty. The pelicans are a San Remo icon and a unique interaction with these birds in a controlled environment. Feed the pelicans while you lunch by the water, a family favourite when visiting Phillip Island.

Phillip Island’s Birdlife

Rhyll Bay is a bird lover’s secret. The wetlands and coastal waters of Rhyll Inlet are home to many bird species, from black swans to migratory wading birds. Bird enthusiasts will love the variety of bird species in the area, including the common Swamp Harrier and the rare hooded plover. The Oswin Roberts Reserve is another great spot to see Phillip Island’s birdlife and wild and captive birds in their protected habitats.

Winter Whale Cruise

In the cooler months the waters around Phillip Island become a whale playground. Take a winter cruise and see these magnificent creatures, humpback and southern right whales, as they pass through the warmer waters of Bass Strait. It’s a great time to visit the island as the whale watching is a once in a lifetime experience to see these iconic animals up close. Tours like the Cape Woolamai Cruise offer stunning coastal views and the chance to see whales in their own environment.
Wildlife Melbourne Tours Australia offers a Phillip Island Day Tour. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides will take you to the best wildlife and nature spots on Phillip Island: The Nobbies, Cape Woolamai, Seal Rocks, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Penguin Parade. You’ll see some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife in their own environment – koalas, kangaroos and little penguins. As part of our tour, we also provided commentary about the island’s history, culture, and ecology. So join us now for a day out at Phillip Island – you’ll love it!