Australia is home to the smallest of any of the world’s penguins. This is where to find them.
Endemic penguins in Australia might all be the same species, but between our shores and New Zealand, it’s the only place in the world to spot adorable (and aptly named) little penguins. So-called for their small stature (at only 36 to 43 centimetres tall, they’re some of the smallest aquatic birds in the world), you’ll mostly find their colonies on islands just off the (mostly southern) coast. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t found their way to other states.
We’ve rounded up some of the best places to see little penguins in the Australian wild.
1. Phillip Island, Vic
It would be wrong to start this list with anything other than Phillip Island, home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world. Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and connected to mainland Victoria by a bridge, not only is it easy to get to, but the famous Penguin Parade is an adorable nightly event, tickets to which also support more research into and care for these waddly creatures. Elevated boardwalks make for perfect viewing points as a controlled number of visitors watch these feathered locals return to their burrows every night as the sun goes down.
Buy a ticket to the Penguin Parade. (Image: Visit Victoria)
2. St Kilda, Vic
Then again, you don’t need to leave Melbourne at all to spot little penguins. Head to St Kilda Beach and stop by Breakwater (the rocky outcrop at the end of the pier) to spot this local colony. To protect the penguins, there are three nightly viewings of the penguins between February and April run by the local council. Tickets are free but you do need to register. Penguin Rangers patrol the area for everyone’s safety.
Spot penguins hiding in the rocks of the breakwater. (Image: Eric Fortin)
3. Middle Island, Warrnambool, Vic
Further south, little penguins also call Middle Island home, off the coast from Warrnambool along the Great Ocean Road. Sadly, numbers were dwindling by 2006 after foxes made their way from the mainland to hunt during low tide. These days, after the installation of famously protective Maremma guard dogs on the island, the penguin population is soaring. Each summer, visitors can meet these pawed penguin pals on a ‘Meet the Maremma Tour’ and learn about the Penguin Protection Project.
See maemma dogs on duty at Middle Island. (Image: GOR Regional Tourism)
4. Penguin Island, WA
As the name suggests, Penguin Island is home to the largest little penguin colony in Western Australia. Visits to this pristine island are limited and only available during specific daylight hours in mid-September to early June. But it’s worth nabbing one of these tickets as the island is also home to pelicans, sea eagles and albatross. Guided wildlife walks are also available to book.
Nab a ticket to Penguin Island. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
5. Kangaroo Island, SA
Kangaroo Island already has a reputation as something of a sanctuary for Australian Wildlife, and it’s no different for little penguins. As the last operational penguin centre in South Australia, Penneshaw Penguin Centre runs nightly tours throughout the year. Seeing as the colony can be difficult to find on your own, it’s recommended to book in. Plus you’ll likely get a bit of astronomy thrown in.
Go on tour with Penneshaw Penguin Centre. (Image: Milton Wordley)
6. Victor Harbor, West Island, SA
Victor Harbour – some 80 kilometres south of Adelaide – hosts little penguins across many of its islands (it’s also one of the best places to go whale-watching), but the best place to spot them is Granite Island. Sitting inside the Encounter Marine Park, penguin numbers have been struggling in recent years – so be sure to keep the fox-proof gate shut when you visit. If you’re not lucky enough to see a penguin, dolphins leafy sea dragons and seals all await. To increase your wildlife spotting success, check out Big Duck Boat Tours.
Head into Granite Island’s Encounter Marine Park to spot little penguins. (Image: Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism)
7. Lion Island, NSW
Off the coast of Broken Bay sits Lion Island, the ironically named home of a little penguin colony. A joint project between National Parks and Wildlife and Taronga Zoo has been going since early 1990 to support the colony, which has now grown to about 300 breeding pairs. As a highly protected sanctuary, you’ll have to try and spot these cuties from a boat at a respectful distance.
Spot penguins from the water around Lion Island. (Image: DNSW)
8. Manly, NSW
Sydney’s second-most famous beach suburb, Manly, is also home to its only little penguin breeding colony. While these penguins are known to forage for food throughout Sydney Harbour and along the Sydney coast, every May to February they return to the nesting boxes at Shore Beach in Manly to have their babies. Not accessible by land, kayak is generally the best way to get to the beach. As it’s a smaller population, it’s not guaranteed to see them – but if you do, keep a respectful distance, never bring your dog and don’t use flash photography as it disorientates them.
Watch penguins return to their nesting boxes at Shore Beach. (Image: DNSW)
9. Jervis Bay, NSW
Bowen Island – at the entrance to Jervis Bay – may be small. In fact, this sandstone island is only about a kilometre long and half as wide. But it packs a little penguin punch with around 5000 breeding pairs calling it home. Every night from dawn to an hour before dusk they head out in search of food, before returning to their burrows before they lose all daylight.
Circle the tiny Bowen Island to spot a large penguin colony. (Image: DNSW)
10. Stanley, Tas
Stanley might be most famous for a giant rock formation known as The Nut. But its little penguins are a strong second. Head to Godfrey’s Beach for a wheelchair-friendly penguin viewing platform, or book a cabin at BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park to watch the little critters walking along Tatlow Beach.
Book a spot at BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park to watch little penguins along Tatlow Beach. (Image: Jess Bonde)
11. Penguin, Tas
Yes, the town named Penguin in Tasmania is home to plenty of little penguins. Here, they’re so proud of their feathery locals that they’ve even erected a ‘big penguin’ statue. See real-life ones when you head toward the southern end of Penguin Beach, or pop over to the next beach, eastways.
See the big penguin, then look for little ones. (Image: Adrian Cook)
12. Bicheno, Tas
The bustling town of Bicheno on Tasmania’s east coast is worth a visit for several reasons. Top of the list is their little penguins on Redbill and Waubs beaches. Both are easy to get to by foot (the latter is even in the middle of town) so you won’t be the only person setting up a picnic blanket before dusk to watch the local penguins head home for the night. You can also join Bicheno Penguin Tours for access to a private property loved by penguins that other tourists can’t.
Join Bicheno Penguin Tours. (Image: Tourism Australia)
13. Low Head, Tas
Just a 45-minute drive from Launceston, Low Head is home to a conservation area where hundreds of local little penguins like to breed between November and February. As the area closes before dusk, you’ll need to join Low Head Penguin Tours Tasmania for access.
Book a tour to see the little penguins of Low Head conservation area. (Image: Florian Rohart)
14. Devonport, Tas
Lillico Beach Conservation Area is something of a local secret for penguin spotting. From late September to early April, head to the eastern end of the beach to watch little penguins from the viewing platform. Guides will be patrolling the area and ready to answer your penguin-related questions.
Join locals for penguin spotting. (Image: Chi Kueng Renault Wong)
