We signed up for a last minute tour to Phillip Island. We bought it from a third party and the description was slightly different, but overall it was a great tour. We rode in a very nice tour bus to Maru animal sanctuary where you could get up close with kangaroos and koalas. There were other animals, such as dingos, peacocks, emus and reptiles there as well. Next we drove to Phillip Island. We went to the very end of the road on the nature park where we could see the Nobbies and wild kangaroos. Unfortunately the tour bus wasn't able to stop since we needed to get to the penguins parade. At the penguin center, there was a viewing area. We didn't pay for the upgraded viewing area. In the general area we were further back but quite a few people vacated closer seats early in the viewing so moving up was easy. The penguins came out of the ocean in small groups and there was a lapse of time between exiting groups. If you want to view the penguins up close, you will get better views from the walkways to the platforms. Our tour guide/bus driver Peter was amazing. He was like a driving encyclopedia of knowledge. His commentary was super interesting and he was helpful and friendly. read more