PHILLIP ISLAND: Penguin Parade, Pinnacles, and Panny's Amazing World of Chocolate
It was my second time in Melbourne. I had already seen Melbourne's CBD, the Great Ocean Road, and even free tourist attractions in Melbourne (see blog posts for itineraries). This time, I wanted to see the famed penguins who reportedly parade their way back home every night. Depending from where you're staying in Melbourne, Phillip Island is 1-3 hours drive away. Now some people stay there a couple days but we only made it a day trip. Read on for our one-day Phillip Island itinerary.
From where we were staying, Phillip Island was 2-3 hours drive away. So we stopped for a fish and chips lunch on San Remo just before we crossed the bridge. There were some picnic benches and tables there so it was nice to have a relaxed lunch while looking across the bridge excited for the adventure to come.
The Chocolate Factory: Panny's Amazing World of Chocolate
I was initially unsure if I wanted to pay the $17 per person entrance fee to see a chocolate factory when I've already been to the free chocolate factory tour in Adelaide but we were already there and we would never know what was inside unless we try it. So we purchased our tickets and were happy to find that the tickets were made of chocolate!
Now because we entered with very low expectations, we were pleasantly surprised. The factory was made to be very interactive. You start out entering an educational area where you learn about how chocolate is made, to puns, and artwork all made out of chocolate.
Of course my favorite part had to be the chocolate. I may or may not have eaten a few pieces of chocolate that this chocolate machine produced...
Your ticket also entitles you to a few turns on their arcade-like games. When you win, you get balls/tokens which you then exchange for real chocolate balls when you get out. Yey for more chocolate!
The Pinnacles
Because we ate all that chocolate, it was time for a hike! Now we visited Phillip Island in the spring time and although the weather forecast said it would be warm, we came prepared for the Penguin Parade. All the Penguin Parade reviews I read said to dress warmly no matter the season because it would be cold by the beach. Well well well. It was HOT during that day and us being dressed in jeans did not make for happy hikers.
The pathway was somehow damaged during that day so we had to walk on the very soft sand (think burying your feet in sand) all the way til we reached a stairway to start the real hike. Jeans + rubber shoes + sand + extremely hot weather = we were exhausted before it even began. Truth is we didn't quite appreciate the view at the time. All reviews said the Pinnacles lookout would be beautiful and breath-taking but when you're exhausted and you've already been to The Great Ocean Road, or NSW's Blue Mountains, etc, it just didn't quite do it.
We stayed in an air-conditioned place for dinner and had a cold milkshake after that.
The Penguin Parade
Finally, this is what everyone drives to Phillip Island for. Everyday, no matter what season, there is this wonderful phenomenon that we get to witness the little penguins make their way home. If I am not mistaken, hundreds of penguins make their way home every night. They keep count of how many penguins actually parade every night.
There are designated seating areas for the audience (I recommend the front corner right next to the barricades so you can see the penguins closer) and the audience is instructed to be as quiet as possible as we watch the penguins. Slowly, in small groups, the penguins make their way home. You can actually see the penguins checking out the area for safety first, before actually making their way out of the water. They then rush to safety as quickly as possible. They are in their natural habitat so the audience is instructed that absolutely NO PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED. Later on, we head back to the boardwalks and you can see the little penguins going about underneath. You can just imagine them saying, "Honey, I'm home!" to their mates. Or maybe hanging out with the neighbors.
Sadly, SO many people actually took photos - and flash photography at that! Even when you remind them about the no photography rule, they just didn't care. It is so rude and so sad. I wish they had security to actually school these people. These penguins are in the wild and they should be protected and not disturbed. However, the income they make from the tourist attractions go towards protecting not just the penguins, but all of nature and wildlife on Phillip Island. So make sure you support the cause when you visit!
While some friends advised against going to Phillip Island for the penguin parade, I am so glad that I did. It was truly worth the drive to witness so many tiny penguins in their natural habitat - like National Geographic come to life. And of course, the chocolate at the chocolate factory made me happy too!
Always,
Jeanne
89 comments
So good to read this, I haven't been to Phillip island but it's a shame you can't take photos of the penguins walking though it's totally understandable. The Pinnacles look magnificent, it has a different form to that of Blue Mountains so it's quite interesting for me.
ReplyDeletewww.busyandfab.com
What a stunning place! I love the craggy cliffs and the lush green grass against the light blue water. That chocolate display also is incredible!
ReplyDeleteimperfect idealist
Everything on this island looks amazing!!! I want to go!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
People can be quite rude. The island seems lovely!
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Wow lovely place and pictures :)
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Amazing post. Love it so much. xoxo Cris
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The photos and scenery look so nice
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Nice post
Best
Oh the chocolate factory looks like fun! We did the penguin parade and it is so fun to see, although it's frustrating people were taking photos as it upsets the penguins so much! There was a lot of security when we went a couple years back making sure people didn't use their cameras.
ReplyDeleteAt least you got some good photos of the hike, even if you didn't enjoy it as you were too warmly dressed!
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend :) We are having a relaxing one, much needed after a hectic week!
Away From The Blue Blog
Omg I have the biggest chocolate craving now !
ReplyDeletexo | Cindy Elena
www.boringclothes.com
Oh that chocolate factory looks great.
ReplyDeleteAnd what beautiful scenery.
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Wonderful post! Lovely photos!
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Such a dream! Love the pics :)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.alifyalifestyle.com/
Ah Phillip Island looks amazing. Sooooo what I need right now. I went to a chocolate factory in Seattle for Theo Chocolate and it was so much fun.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIENYC
www.allienyc.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! And the scenery pics are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete-Alex
www.sofitsopretty.com
Amazing post!.
ReplyDeletexo
New post: http://blondepow.blogspot.com/2018/02/outfits-for-valentines.html / http://blondepow.blogspot.com/2018/02/after-9-months-kylie-jenner-announces.html
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This looks amazing, I have always wanted to visit a chocolate factory! x
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Wow! This looks like a really amazing experience! I'd definitely put this on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
If there is chocolate it is definitely a perfect destination. Loved this post. xoxo Cris
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Beautiful place :)!!!
ReplyDeleteThe chocoalte factory seems so cool!
ReplyDeletemiss-uncover.blogspot.com
Great photos, the factory looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteMarije | thegfguide.com
So many cool places to visit! I'd love to see the penguins :) xx
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like it was such a fun experience! I would love to visit that chocolate factory! That is so cool that the tickets were made of chocolates! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://roadesque.com
A chocolate factory!? My god, that sounds so delicious, haha. The Pinnacles are very gorgeous! Would love to go there once as well!
ReplyDeleteLove, Layla Rosita | www.laylarosita.com
Ahhh my, I want to visit chocolate factory so badly! This is such an interesting place to visit :)
ReplyDeleteLots of love ♥ Janury Girl
Oh very interesting place
ReplyDeleteThanks for share your experience
xx
Beautiful Photos! Thank you for sharing Xx
ReplyDelete- www.youthofthesun.com
Wonderful photos <3 I want to visit this place in the future. Chocolate factory sounds delicious :)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week
My blog
This looks and sounds like such a beautiful day!
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that place looks so beautiful and I can tell you had a great time!
ReplyDeletex,abril
The Color Palette
wow great post love this
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Great post and amazing photos! That pinguine is sooo cute! :-)
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Oh my God that is horrible. I can't believe people had the audacity to use flash photography. I can understand taking a sneaky pic but a flash too. Come on. I live in Melbs so this was something we used to come and see heaps when I was younger. We even had a school camp one year and I got a penguin names after me hahaha! We had American cousins come last year and we took them here. Sadly we couldn't get in to see the parade and their detour roads all lead us out of the sanctuary. It was sooooo confusing and such a shame. It definitely doesn't look like what it did back then. I'm surprised there wasn't anyone around to stop photos. I remember when we used to go there was always someone around. Even just making sure if there were sick penguins they'd be taken to be cared for or something (that's how I got one named after me)
ReplyDeleteSxx
daringcoco.com
There were people around to remind people not to take photos but definitely not enough staff to reprimand the number of people who just totally ignored the instructions unfortunately. How cute to get a penguin named after you! And I do hope this sanctuary is maintained. :)
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hey Gorgeous dear,
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https://www.lukhidiamond.com/LOOSE-DIAMONDS
The chocolate factory looks perfect!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Sara's City
I have been to Melbourne more then 10 times perhaps, we just spent a week there in the beginning of January but I've never been to Phillip Island, it must be quite a sight. I would never leave that choc shop
ReplyDeletelookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au
The chocolate display is so awesome! I love how the best way to start a new season is a fun adventure this is just lovely :) http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2018/02/investment-bags-for-spring.html
ReplyDeleteYour photo's look beautiful! I hope to visit this island soon.
ReplyDeletex Rivania | The Glam Unicorn
Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing. :)
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Shoot for the stars ♡
cute post dear!
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Wow being in a chocolate factory & eating all the chocolate you want. Cool. XO
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so many beautiful photos
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Really nice pictures! This place looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteJoyce | Joycentricity
your photos are really amazing!
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=)
New post up in my Lifestyle Blog !
Hold up, the tickets were made of chocolate? Oh my goodness, I'm literally writhing with jealousy that place seems amazing (and delicious). Gorgeous photos as always.
ReplyDeleteAmy;
Wandering Everywhere
this place looks so lovely
ReplyDeleteWonder Cottage
Such a dream come true! Love the chocolate factory!
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ReplyDeleteI like chocolate and this is amazing for me. I like this post and your photos :)
ReplyDeleteInspiration by Linda
I wouldn't have thought twice about the chocolate tickets....chocolate is my middle name!!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fun trip!!
XOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
I've never been to a chocolate factory but this one looks amazing!!! I can't even imagine how cute the little penguins were!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Olga from Myme
I haven't been to Phillip Island but I want to go there! It looks like wonderful <3
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Wonderfull pictures. Thanks for your comment on my blog sweetie
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate factory looks so fun and a Penguin parade? Looks like a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
how fun to see the penguins! Looks like a day well spent =o)
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amazing places ^^
ReplyDeletethe penguin is really cute ^^
torichux3.blogspot.com
Such amazing place, want to visit there.
ReplyDeleteBernie, xx
The Style Fanatic
That must be a nice exp to visit a chocolate factory.
ReplyDeleteGreat travel adventure.
Much Love, Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
New Vlog Entry!
Such beautiful photos! Great post. :-)
ReplyDeleteApril xx
| APRIL ROSE PENGILLY |
All of this must have been so much fun! I would love to see penguins in the wild!
ReplyDeletexx
Claire from Dresscape
www.dresscape.com
Omigosh the chocolate factory?? Can I join you next time please? :p I LOVE chocolate!
ReplyDeleteVivian x
www.viviantse.net
Ahhh, chocolate overload! How FUN!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
YUM. I would be a happy girl in a chocolate paradise like that! And the penguin parade sounds AMAZING. I would love to see that. It drives me nuts when people can't follow the simple rule of no pictures. They make them for a REASON. It was the same thing when we saw the Sistine Chapel in Italy. We're way too snap happy these days!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a good time!
Susie | http://milehighdreamers.com
I know right :( people just need to learn to respect the rules :)
DeleteWhat a divine place to relax your self and admire the beauty of the nature.I am sure you must have had a great time exploring the Phillip islands. Have fun dear...:)
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OMG, I wish I could go to Philip Island right now because you seemed like have a great time there :) Nice post Jeannie, as usual! <3
ReplyDeletexoxo,
|CHELSHEAFLO|
www.chelsheaflo.com
Wow, the views are incredible and it sounds like the penguin parade would be stunning to see!
ReplyDeleteKathrin | Polar Bear Style
Oh, this is really sad that all those people took pictures fromthe penguins. How wonderful you followed the rule and enjoyed everything there including the chocolate so much!
ReplyDeletexx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
This is such a gorgeous post and your photos have captured how stunning it is perfectly! xx
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So coooool! That place looks truly amazing ♥
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wow that Chocolate factory is my dream!! Melbourne looks so nice xx
ReplyDelete|Elegant Duchess|
This looks like such a fun experience! I adore the various ways of displaying chocolate at the chocolate factory, especially the bars of chocolate that kind of remind me of the Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket bars, y'know?! haha :)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
Great pictures! Nice view
ReplyDeleteThose are the best tickets in the world haha! Loving all the displays with chocolate. Have a lovely week. xx
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http://couturezilla.com/
this looks like so much fun!
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Patinka
www.patinkasworld.com
This place looks awesome!Stunning pictures:-)
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Really nice post!
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http://itsmetijana.blogspot.rs/
A wonderful post and you look ever so happy in your photographs :) Thanks for sharing! One ticket to the chocolate shop with the chocolate providing penguin, how cute!
ReplyDeleteLaura xo
www.shehearts.net
So many beautiful pictures! I loved.
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https://falatatii.blogspot.com.br
That looks so amazing! I love all your pictures!
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Alessa Bernal
Melting inside with all that chocolate :p Amazing place, looks really vibrant!
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing weekend,
xx
Patricia & Miguel
www.freeoversea.com
Lovely post!!
ReplyDeleteA Shimmer, A Shadow
i want to visit chocolate kingdom so awesome!!!
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Such a great post. i would love to go to that chocloate factory <3
ReplyDeleteVaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2018/04/30/travelog-shanghai-1/
That place looks incredible, would love to go there :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience,
xx
Patricia & Miguel
www.freeoversea.com
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I read every single one. :)