Melbourne to Phillip Island Day Trip: Trams, Koalas & A Not-So-Perfect Penguin Parade
From festive streets and skyline views to feeding kangaroos and waiting (and waiting…) for penguins on a chilly beach, our Melbourne to Phillip Island day trip was packed with highs, lows, and a few unexpected laughs along the way. It started late, stayed lighthearted, and ended in layers—but every moment is now a memory. Our second morning in Melbourne started slowly, but deliciously. I made boiled egg sandwiches for the whole gang, and we sat munching on them on the balcony of our 51st-floor Airbnb. The view? A full skyline of Melbourne, blinking back at us. Gourmet? Not quite. Memorable? Absolutely.
🚋 Exploring the Free Tram Zone in Melbourne CBD
Once we stepped out, we jumped into Melbourne’s famous Free Tram Zone, which covers much of the Central Business District. Riding the City Circle tram was a joy- no tickets, no stress. We hopped on and off with Crown Casino constantly in sight (though we never stepped inside).
🎄 The Christmas vibe was everywhere: festive lights, buskers in Santa hats, floating river bars, purple trees dotting the skyline, giant baubles, and music in the streets. Melbourne sure knows how to party in December!
🟢 Tip for travellers: The Free Tram Zone includes areas like Flinders Street, Docklands, Queen Victoria Market, and Spring Street. Just look for the green signs at tram stops.
🌉 Riverside Rambles & Skyscraper Glam
We strolled along the Yarra River, soaking in the sun and festive vibes. Floating bars drifted by. The Sea Life Aquarium glittered in the distance. We waved at passing boats and snapped a hundred pictures under Melbourne’s sunshine.
Of course, we had to stop and strike a pose in front of Australia 108, the tallest building in the city. Add a little wind in our hair, and boom, album cover.
From here we made our way to the Immigration Museum, our pick-up point for Philip Island.
🐨 Moonlit Sanctuary – Our Aussie Animal Meet-and-Greet
From the city buzz to bushland bliss, we were off to the Moonlit Sanctuary. This peaceful park let us hand-feed kangaroos, wave hello to koalas, and meet a few curious owls and wombats. The paths were leafy and quiet, and the animals, well… let’s just say they were used to the spotlight.
But we did talk about how special it had been to spot kangaroos and koalas in the wild the day before. Seeing them up close was sweet—but nothing beats the thrill of a wild sighting. Still, we walked out smiling and a little in love with Australia’s wildlife.
🐧 Penguins, Souvenirs & a Not-So-Chilly Welcome
Next stop: Phillip Island Penguin Parade. We started at the Penguin Visitor Centre, which was slick and stylish. There were great conservation displays, a fun photo op with a stuffed penguin. A souvenir shop full of adorable things we definitely didn’t splurge on. Though… let’s be honest: the prices were enough to make our eyes water. Cute? Yes. Affordable? Not so much.
We watched tiny penguin chicks waiting patiently in their sandy burrows while their parents fished at sea. These little fluffballs survive on sheer trust, waiting to be fed after a long day of hunting. We also saw Cape Barren Geese, which appeared quite unusual.
While they were tucked in and cozy, I was not. I sat on the beach (camera in hand, obviously), freezing as we waited two hours for the penguins to waddle out of the waves.
📏 Fun fact: These little penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world—only 33–43 cm tall, and adults eat up to 25% of their body weight in fish every single day!
🧊 And Then the Chill Hit…
Around 6 PM, we were guided down to the beach. The penguins wouldn’t be out until 8:30 PM. The wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and our sunny smiles started to fade.
I, being the eager photographer, sat right on the sand. Great for the view. Not so great for my spine… or my body temperature. We spotted a few Cape Barren Geese waddling by; surprise bonus guests of the evening!
Then came the announcement: “The penguins will emerge on the right—where premium ticket holders are seated.”
Wait, what? That little detail hadn’t come up during booking. We squinted toward the dark, watched a few fuzzy shapes appear, snapped some blurry photos, and that was that.
We lasted maybe 20 minutes before calling it. Too cold. Too crowded. Not quite the magic we hoped for.
🚌 Tram Ride Home & Laughs in the Cold
We made it back to Melbourne just before midnight, clambered onto the last free tram, and laughed all the way home—half frozen, half amused, and 100% ready for a hot shower.
Would we do it again? Maybe… but this time, with thicker jackets and a Penguins Plus ticket.
✅ Do’s & Don’ts for a Melbourne to Phillip Island Day Trip
DO:
- ✅ Carry layers—it gets cold by the beach, even in summer.
- ✅ Pack some snacks or sandwiches (you’ll thank yourself at 8 PM).
- ✅ Hop on the Free Tram Zone early and explore the CBD.
- ✅ Say hello to kangaroos and koalas at Moonlit Sanctuary—they’re adorable!
- ✅ Book Penguins Plus or Underground tickets if you’re serious about seeing the penguins clearly.
DON’T:
- ❌ Assume “General Viewing” means a great view—it doesn’t.
- ❌ Forget a mat or cushion if you’re sitting on the beach.
- ❌ Expect to buy budget-friendly souvenirs at the penguin center.
- ❌ Count on a magical wildlife show—this one felt more scripted than spontaneous.
🎟️ Quick Ticket Guide
| Experience | Price (AUD) | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Moonlit Sanctuary | 30 adult | Great for families |
| Penguin Parade (General) | 32 adult | Cold & far from penguins |
| Penguins Plus | 65–70 | Recommended for real views |
| Underground Viewing | 75–90 | Warm and front-row viewing |
My other blogs on our memorable Australia Trip
@wordsmithkaur
@wordsmithkaur
