Phillip Island Wildlife Calendar
Wildlife all year — the penguins never stop — but whales, shearwaters and active birdlife are seasonal. Here’s how to time your visit, month by month.
Phillip Island Wildlife Calendar
Phillip Island has wildlife all year — the penguins never stop — but some species are seasonal. Use this month-by-month guide to time your visit for whales, shearwaters or active birdlife, and see our wildlife overview for where to find each animal. Sightings in the wild always vary, so treat these as a guide.
What’s About
Summer
Peak penguin numbers and late-dusk parades, active shearwaters, seal pups, long warm evenings — busiest.
Autumn
Shearwaters depart by April, mild days and quieter crowds — comfortable wildlife watching.
Winter
Whales offshore, uncrowded early-dusk penguins, dramatic surf — cold but rewarding.
Spring
Whales still passing, shearwaters returning from late September, active birdlife and wildflowers.
Timing Highlights
- Little penguins: year-round, nightly at dusk (later in summer)
- Koalas & wallabies: year-round; most active dawn and dusk
- Fur seals: year-round at Seal Rocks; pups best in the warmer months
- Whales: roughly May–October offshore (sightings vary)
- Shearwaters: late September to April, with dusk fly-ins near Cape Woolamai
- Cape Barren geese & birdlife: year-round, especially around Rhyll’s wetlands
Wildlife Calendar — FAQ
Can you see penguins on Phillip Island year-round?
Yes — little penguins come ashore at the Penguin Parade every night of the year. Dusk times shift: later in summer, earlier in winter.
When is the best time to see whales?
Roughly May to October, when humpback and southern right whales pass through Bass Strait — sometimes from the coast or on a cruise. Sightings vary.
When do the shearwaters arrive and leave?
Short-tailed shearwaters return to island rookeries (notably Cape Woolamai) around late September and depart in April, with dramatic dusk fly-ins in the warmer months.
When can you see fur seals?
Year-round at Seal Rocks off the Nobbies, with pups most visible in the warmer months. Cruises from Cowes are seasonal and weather-dependent.
Is there a bad time for wildlife on Phillip Island?
Not really — there’s always something to see. Winter is quiet and cold but great for whales and uncrowded penguins; summer is busy with active birdlife and long evenings.
Phillip Island, Planned Around You
The Penguin Parade, koalas, fur seals and wild surf coast — with the driving, timing and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
Call 0409 661 342 Plan My Trip — Free Enquiry