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New Year's Eve Celebrations Around the World!
We’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve around the world! My favorite part is seeing how the different cultures come together and the unique traditions to ring in the New Year. Fireworks always ended with a bang for all New Years’ festivities!
We’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve in many different countries! My favorite part is seeing how the different cultures come together and the unique traditions to ring in the New Year. Fireworks always ended with a bang for all New Years’ festivities!
Lanterns on New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai
Sending Lanterns off New Years Eve in Chiang Mai - Thailand
As soon as the sun went down on the last day of the year, lanterns started to light up the sky. Vendors all over the city sold lanterns and they were released all over the city! The biggest gathering was at the Tha Phae Ancient City gate. On the other side of the gate, there was a street fair on Rachadamnoen Rd full of vendors selling food and other merchant goodies.
At 11:30p, people flooded the area in front of the gate lighting their lanterns. People wrote wishes, hopes, and dreams, on their lanterns, hoping the new year would make them come true. At midnight the sky was completely full of lanterns and fireworks! It was a magical sight and an unforgettable night!
See our full post here New Years in Chiang Mai
New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Fireworks on New Year’s Eve in the Sydney Harbor - Australia
We watched the Sydney Harbor light up on New Year’s Eve! The first set off fireworks went off as a family show at 9pm, so kids could go to bed and not have to wait up. In this show, fireworks were launched from 4 barges while they played the songs of the year, which exclusively included "Let it Go." Although some might be sick of hearing Elsa sing, it was PERFECT fireworks music.
At midnight, there were panoramic views of fireworks that shot off on the bridge, the barges and near the Opera House! My favorite part was when they played Sia’s, “Chandelier!”
Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve in Norway
Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve in Norway
It may have been 20 degrees and below but we spent all night outside watching the Northern Lights from our cabin in Norway! The locals shot off fireworks at midnight, and apparently there is a friendly rivalry among the neighborhood as to who will have the best fireworks show! We watched the fireworks light up the sky for a while then went inside. At about 2am, the Aurora Borealis came through with bright green colors dancing across the sky! The northern lights were here and grew stronger and stronger until 6am! Definitely a New Year celebration we won’t forget!
See more in our post: 5 Days in Norway Itinerary
Aruba New Year’s Eve Celebration
Fireworks along the beach on New Year’s Eve in Aruba
Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along on Dec 31st with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us.
We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Year’s Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba in Palm Beach and right at midnight, fireworks shot off on barges in the water up and down the coast! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display!
See more about Aruba and how we spent Dec 31st here: 6 Day Aruba Itinerary
Las Vegas Strip on new Year’s Eve
The Strip lighting up on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
I grew up spending a few New Years in Las Vegas! No matter where you go there will be a party! The Las Vegas Strip shuts down in the afternoon and people start celebrating! You can drink in the street and even buy beers from street vendors! At midnight, the Las Vegas Blvd lights up with fireworks shooting off tops of the hotels!
New Year’s Eve in TImes Square
Watching the ball drop in Times Square - New York City
I think everyone has seen the ball drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square on TV with Ryan Seacrest or Dick Clark, but it is a completely different experience seeing it drop in person! Times Square is filled with people that start lining up early in the day to get a prime spot for midnight!
As soon as the countdown starts, the energy rises and the excitement of the countdown begins! The ball drops, fireworks shoot off and confetti fills the square!
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How to Spend 5 AMAZING Days in Sydney, Australia
How to spend 5 days in Sydney - Australia - Full itinerary! See all the things to do and where to stay in Sydney! See our tips in this great Travel Guide! This was our honeymoon and it was perfect!
Sydney Opera House
What to do for 5 Days in Sydney, Australia
While we were on our 3-week honeymoon, we spent a large chunk of it in Sydney! We had spent New Years in Sydney but left to let the crowds die down a bit and came back on the 3rd of January. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back. Making the long trek from California, we wanted to see all Sydney had to offer and spent about 5 days there.
Where to Stay in Sydney
We used our Hyatt reward nights, a perk from our Hyatt Credit Card, along with some points, and stayed at the beautiful 5-star Park Hyatt Sydney. It was the perfect location - across from the Opera House, near Circular Quay (where you can jump on a train or ferry and get anywhere in a matter of minutes), and under the Harbor Bridge.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Here was our 5-day itinerary for Sydney:
Day 1
Pancakes on the Rocks
MORNING
We started with breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. We love pancakes, figured it couldn't be bad with so many great Yelp reviews. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. I had chocolate chips pancakes, of course, because everything is better with chocolate!
We went down to Circular Quay (pronounced "key") and took the ferry across the harbor to the Taronga Zoo.
There were Koalas, giraffes, kangaroos, everything that can kill you, and my favorite, the penguin exhibit that had Fairy Penguins!
Top of Taronga Zoo
The zoo is located on a hill with spectacular views of Sydney from all over, so we recommend you start at the top and work your way down.
Penguins in the Taronga Zoo
We took a few animal selfies too! We liked the zoo, but the Featherdale Wild Park was even better (see day 2 below).
AFTERNOON - Olympic Park
In the afternoon we took the ferry back to Circular Quay and boarded a train taking us out to the Sydney Olympic Park. Josh loves to visit Olympic Parks and this one had a lot to see and it was all outdoors!
The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.
Day 2
Morning - Blue Mountains
We booked a tour with Blue Diamond Tours, which conveniently picked us up from the hotel, and took us to the Blue Mountains National Park. The mountains look blue because the eucalyptus forest disperses droplets of Eucalypt oil into the atmosphere which combines with dust particles and water vapor, scattering refracted rays of light which are largely blue in color. #funfacts
The rock formation located in the Blue Mountains is known as the 3 Sisters, which aboriginals legend told, the 3 daughters from the Katoomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from a neighboring tribe, but they were forbidden to get married by tribal laws. The brothers didn't agree with this law and captured the 3 sisters, causing a war outbreak between the tribes and the sisters were turned into stone by a witch doctor to protect them. Unfortunately, the witch doctor died in the war and no one was able to turn them back.
From Scenic World’s Website
We took the Scenic World Skyway cable car suspended across the Jamison Valley to a park called Scenic World where they had attractions and the best views. You could look through the floor of the car and see the rain forest below.
looking through the floor of the skyway cable car
We also road the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, which travels down a cliffside through tunnel and ancient rain forest at a gradient of 62 degrees. At the bottom, you can walk around the rainforest and check out the site of the old coal mine.
Afternoon - Featherdale Wildlife Park
ARCHER, THE KOALA, at Featherdale Wildlife Park
My favorite part of the day was when we went to see Australia's native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. I love animals and this was probably my favorite thing to do in Sydney.
You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him every day.
There are many other animals throughout the park such as kangaroos that are literally hanging out and let you pet them! We also saw more fairy penguins, wombats, wallabies, a Cassowary, and a Tasmanian Devil, OH MY!
Evening in Sydney
We came back to the hotel, freshened up and walked around the harbor over to the Opera Bar for dinner. The Opera Bar is located directly under the Opera House. They had a great food selection, we loved their burgers. The restaurant is set up with open seating and you order by the kitchen, get a number and they deliver to your table.
We also enjoyed their dessert (of course) having a crepe with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I was a perfect ending to our perfect day with a gorgeous pink sunset.
Day 3
Morning in Manly Beach
We started our day going to Manly Beach! For food, we found this spot called Hemingway's which looked like a library but served food and alcohol. It was early, so we had coffee and breakfast with a slight breeze and gorgeous view of the crystal blue ocean.
We walked around and did a little shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.
Afternoon - Sea life Sydney Aquarium
PLATYPUS at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
We took the bus back and decided it was time for more animals so we paid a visit to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and found Nemo, Dory, and lots of sharks.
We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish.
Also, the high point was the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.
Happy Hour in Sydney at a Secret Whiskey bar!
BAXTER INN - WHISKEY BAR
It was happy hour and we found a hidden gem! We went to a whiskey speak-easy called the Baxter Inn. It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail!
Baxter Inn Speakeasy Bar - Sydney
Afterward, we went to a casino in The Star hotel. Walking in, there was signage in front explaining the signs which show you might have a gambling problem because of Australia's gambling issue. It was kind of sad, but kind of funny. We played roulette and won! No gambling problem here.
Day 4
MORNING - Beach Walk
We took the bus over to Bondi Beach. We then did a 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was intense and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt.
AFTERNOON - Luna Park
Luna Park Entrance
We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival-like amusement park with a scary entrance. and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the funhouse. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. This was definitely made for kids.
Luna Park Slides
EVENING
Afterward, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant right next to Luna Park, called Ripples Milsons Point. It was right on the water overlooking the harbor and I had the most amazing pumpkin ravioli.
We came back to the hotel and wanted to grab a few pictures on our last night:
Harbor Bridge at Night
Opera House at Night
Day 5
MORNING - Opera House Tour
Our last day in Australia started with breakfast at the Park Hyatt Sydney. We overlooked the harbor directly at the Opera House and started to feel a little sad we were leaving.
Opera House Tiles Close-up - Chevron Design
We walked over and took a tour of the Opera House. As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell-like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes!
THIS IS KNOWN AS THE OPERA HOUSE CLEAVAGE
AFTERNOON
Since we were leaving that night, we had some time to kill but couldn't go too far. We decided to explore "The Rocks" which was the area right above our hotel. It's great for shopping and restaurants.
We went to Fortune of War (claims it is Sydney's oldest pub, which a lot of bars do) which wasn't anything special but nice to stop for a good cold brew.
Fortune of War - Sydney’s Oldest Pub
It was time to hop in a cab and head to the airport. We were sad to leave Sydney, but we weren't done with our Honeymoon yet, New Zealand and French Polynesia were next!
We would love to go back to Sydney and check off anything we missed! Let us know in the comments below if there is something you recommend!
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10 Best Things to Do in Sydney, Australia for First-Time Visitors
Planning your first trip to Sydney? Here are 10 of the best things to do in Sydney, Australia, from the Opera House and Bondi Beach to the Blue Mountains, wildlife, Taronga Zoo and more.
Updated August 2026
Sydney is one of those cities that has a little bit of everything: beautiful beaches, incredible coastal walks, Australian wildlife, iconic landmarks, great food and one seriously gorgeous harbor.
We spent five days exploring Sydney and packed A LOT into our trip. From touring the Sydney Opera House and walking from Bondi to Coogee to meeting koalas and kangaroos, these were the experiences that stood out the most.
If you're visiting Sydney for the first time, here are 10 of the best things to do in Sydney, Australia—plus a couple of bonus stops we loved!
Planning a longer trip? Check out my 5-Day Sydney, Australia Itinerary for exactly how we fit many of these Sydney attractions into one trip.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Sweetest Escapes!
Best Things to Do in Sydney at a Glance
Tour the Sydney Opera House
Walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach
See the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Ride a ferry across Sydney Harbour
Get up close with Australian wildlife at Featherdale
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and Scenic World
Visit Taronga Zoo
Explore SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Play at Luna Park Sydney
Eat gelato—obviously!
1. Take a Tour of the Sydney Opera House
You can't go to Sydney for the first time without seeing the Sydney Opera House, but I highly recommend doing more than just taking a picture of it from the outside.
We took a tour and loved getting to see the building up close and learning more about its history and architecture.
One thing that surprised me was the roof. From a distance, the sails look almost perfectly white, but once you're close you can actually see the individual tiles and the chevron-like pattern they create.
The inside is just as impressive. The Opera House contains multiple performance spaces, including the Concert Hall and its incredible Grand Organ, which has more than 10,200 pipes and is considered the largest known mechanical-action pipe organ in the world.
Even if you don't have time to see a performance, I think taking a tour is one of the best ways to experience this Sydney icon.
2. Get up close with Australian Wildlife at Featherdale
I LOVE animals, so Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park was probably one of my favorite stops of the entire trip.
This is where you can see so many of Australia's animals in one place, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and more.
When we visited, one koala in particular completely stole my heart. I loved him so much that I actually had my mom paint him from one of the photos I took so I could keep looking at that adorable face after we got home!
Featherdale currently offers opportunities to pat a koala and hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons.
If seeing Australian wildlife is high on your bucket list, I would absolutely make time for this.
The easiest way to visit Featherdale from Sydney
Rather than visiting Featherdale by itself, you can combine it with a Blue Mountains day trip, which is essentially what we did. Our tour picked us up, took us out to the mountains and Scenic World, included the wildlife park and handled the transportation for us.
If you're only in Sydney for a few days, combining these attractions makes SO much sense.
🐨 BOOK IT:Blue Mountains, Scenic World + Featherdale Wildlife Park Tour
3. Walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach
This was easily one of the most beautiful things we did in Sydney.
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk stretches about 6 kilometers, or 3.7 miles, along Sydney's coastline and takes roughly two to three hours if you're walking at a leisurely pace.
Along the way you'll pass Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly and eventually Coogee Beach, with ocean views pretty much the entire way.
Just don't underestimate it!
There are stairs, hills and very little escape from the sun in certain sections. We did the walk during summer and, even though we reapplied sunscreen, we still got burned. The Australian sun felt so much stronger than what we were used to in California.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat and something to cover your shoulders—especially if you're doing the walk in the middle of summer.
Pro Tip: You don't have to walk the entire route. If you're short on time, even doing part of the walk around Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte will give you some gorgeous coastal views.
Here’s a guided tour: Bondi and coastal walking tours.
4. See the Sydney Harbor Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is another Sydney landmark that you really can't miss—literally. It's right across the harbor from the Opera House and somehow looks different depending on where you see it from.
You can walk across it, sail underneath it, admire it from Circular Quay or, if you're much braver than I am, climb it.
We were also lucky enough to see the bridge during New Year's Eve, when fireworks were shooting off of it. It was an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year!
If you're not visiting for New Year's Eve, don't worry. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge together are still one of the prettiest views in the city.
For a first trip, I'd make sure you see them during both the day and at night.
Want to see the harbor from the water? A Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise is an easy way to get views of both the Harbour Bridge and Opera House without committing to a longer dinner cruise.
🚢 BOOK IT: Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise
Under the Sydney Harbor Bridge
You have to check it out on New Years Eve!
Sydney Harbor Bridge Fireworks on New Years Eve
5. Explore SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
If you're visiting Sydney with kids—or you're a big kid like me—SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is another fun stop.
We visited after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, so admittedly we had already been spoiled by seeing some pretty incredible marine life in the wild!
But the aquarium still gave us a chance to see creatures we hadn't spotted while diving, and I loved walking through the underwater tunnels with sharks and rays swimming around us.
Today, SEA LIFE Sydney is home to a huge variety of marine life, including multiple shark species, a rescued dugong and a penguin exhibit with king and gentoo penguins.
I probably wouldn't put the aquarium ahead of the Opera House or Bondi if you only have one or two days in Sydney, but it's a great addition if you have more time, are visiting with kids or need an indoor activity.
6. Visit the Blue Mountains and Scenic World
If you have enough time to take one day trip from Sydney, put the Blue Mountains high on your list.
The scenery is completely different from Sydney, and it makes a great break from the city.
One of the most famous viewpoints is the Three Sisters, but my favorite part of the day was Scenic World.
We rode over the eucalyptus forest on the Scenic Skyway, which travels between the cliffs high above the valley. Today, Scenic World's Skyway travels about 270 meters above the ravine, with views toward the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Jamison Valley.
Scenic World also has the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Railway—the latter is billed as the world's steepest passenger railway.
This is one of those places where I really appreciated being on a tour. We didn't have to worry about driving, parking or figuring out how to fit all of the different stops into one day.
Is a Blue Mountains tour from Sydney worth it?
For us, yes.
If you're comfortable renting a car and want complete flexibility, you can certainly visit independently. But for a first trip to Australia, I loved being able to get picked up in Sydney and let someone else take care of the logistics.
And if you want to visit Featherdale too, a combination tour lets you knock out two of my favorite Sydney-area experiences in one day.
🐨 BOOK IT: Blue Mountains, Scenic World + Featherdale Wildlife Park Tour
7. Visit the Taronga Zoo and Take in the Views!
Yes, there is another animal stop on this list. I told you I love animals!
But Taronga Zoo is completely different from Featherdale.
The zoo is built into the hillside overlooking Sydney Harbour, so you get beautiful views of the city while walking through the zoo. It makes for some pretty amazing photo opportunities.
Taronga is home to both Australian wildlife and animals from around the world, but I think the location is what makes it especially memorable.
And getting there is part of the fun.
You can take a ferry from Circular Quay across the harbor to the zoo, which means this attraction can double as your Sydney Harbour ferry experience.
Pro Tip: Taronga is built on a hill, so plan accordingly when deciding which direction you want to explore the zoo!
8. Visit Olympic Park
The park hosted the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and you can still see pieces of that history today, including the Olympic Cauldron and memorials honoring the athletes who competed.
I wouldn't necessarily prioritize it on a very first visit if you only have a few days in Sydney, which is why I've moved it into the bonus section.
But if you remember watching the Sydney Olympics, it's really fun to see everything in person. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.
9. Find the Speakeasy, the Baxter Inn
If you're visiting Sydney without kids and love finding hidden bars, we had so much fun tracking down The Baxter Inn.
Part of the experience is finding it.
We headed down a nondescript alley off Clarence Street, through an unmarked entrance and downstairs into a dark basement bar that felt like we'd stepped into a completely different world.
It's known for its enormous whisky selection, but even if you're not a big whisky drinker, the atmosphere alone made it a memorable stop for us.
This is definitely more of a fun extra than a Sydney must-do, but I loved how completely different it felt from everything else we did during the trip.
Baxter Inn Speakeasy - Sydney, Australia
10. Play at Luna Park
After spending the day sightseeing, we cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park Sydney.
You really can't miss the giant smiling face at the entrance!
Luna Park is an amusement park right on Sydney Harbour, with rides ranging from family-friendly attractions to roller coasters.
But want to know what our highlight was?
The slides in the fun house.
Josh and I raced each other over and over again for probably 30 minutes. We were DEFINITELY the biggest kids in there.
That fun house, Coney Island, is still part of Luna Park today and is actually a heritage-listed attraction. The park also now has newer rides including the Big Dipper roller coaster.
If you have kids, love amusement parks or just want to do something completely different after a day of traditional sightseeing, Luna Park is such a fun addition to a Sydney itinerary.
Plus, those Harbour Bridge views aren't bad either!
Buy tickets ahead of time here through Google Maps: Luna Park Tickets
Eat Gelato in Sydney!
It wouldn't be The Sweetest Escapes if I didn't tell you where to find something sweet.
And in Sydney, that means GELATO.
One of my favorites was Gelato Messina. They have tons of flavors and fun rotating specials, and yes, I think trying it should officially count as sightseeing.
We also loved Gelatissimo.
Did we need multiple gelato stops while we were in Sydney?
Of course we did.
After walking all those hills, coastal trails and zoo paths, I think we earned it!
If you see a Messina while you're exploring Sydney, do yourself a favor and stop.
Messina Ice Cream is my favorite!
Gelato from Gelatissimo is sooo good!
How Many Days Do You Need in Sydney?
I would give yourself at least four to five days in Sydney if you want to experience the city without rushing.
You can see many of the major Sydney attractions in three days, but adding a fourth or fifth day gives you time for the Bondi to Coogee walk, Taronga Zoo and a full-day trip to the Blue Mountains.
We spent five days in Sydney, and I loved having enough time to mix sightseeing with beaches, animals, food and a few completely ridiculous fun stops along the way.
For help putting everything together, head over to my 5-Day Sydney Itinerary next.
What Should You Not Miss on Your First Trip to Sydney?
If I had to narrow this entire list down, my five must-do Sydney experiences would be:
Tour the Sydney Opera House
See the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the water
Walk at least part of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains
See Australian wildlife up close
And yes, I would still find room for gelato.
Is Sydney Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
Sydney gave us such a fun mix of city sightseeing, beaches, wildlife and outdoor adventure. I loved that one day we could be touring the Opera House and the next we could be hiking along the coast or hanging out with kangaroos.
Whether you're visiting Australia for the first time or adding Sydney to a bigger Australia itinerary, there is SO much to see and do here.
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More Australia Travel Tips
Planning more of your Australia trip? Don't miss
Phillip Island Penguin Parade from Melbourne: Our Tour + Penguins Plus Review
We watched the parade of little fairy penguins waddle in at the end of the day and return to their burrows! See why you can’t miss this cute event! | Things to do in Australia | Where to go and What to do in Melbourne, Australia #Melbourne #australia #penguins
Updated August 15, 2026
Phillip Island Penguin Parade from Melbourne: Tour + Tips
Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia
Viator Tour: Phillip Island Day Trip from Melbourne with Penguin Plus Viewing Platform
Phillip Island Penguin Parade from Melbourne
Watching hundreds of tiny penguins waddle out of the ocean and make their way home for the night was easily one of my favorite experiences in Australia!
We visited the Phillip Island Penguin Parade from Melbourne, where the world's smallest penguins return from the ocean to their burrows each evening around sunset. These adorable little penguins stand only about a foot tall and have the prettiest blue-and-white coloring.
They're officially called little penguins, although you may also hear them called fairy penguins or little blue penguins — and I still think "fairy penguins" is the cutest name ever!
We booked a Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour from Melbourne and upgraded to the Penguins Plus viewing area, which ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. The exact tour we booked in 2019 is no longer available, but this is the closest current option I found — and the one I would choose today.
If you're trying to decide whether the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is worth the trip from Melbourne, whether you should book a tour, or if Penguins Plus is worth the upgrade, here's everything you need to know before you go.
PHILLIP ISLAND PENGUIN PARADE AT A GLANCE
Where: 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Victoria
From Melbourne: About a 90-minute drive to Phillip Island, plus additional driving time across the island
When: Every evening around sunset
Our viewing area: Penguins Plus
Should you book ahead? YES! We booked at the last minute and got lucky.
Photos: No photography or filming after sunset
Don't have a car? I would book a tour from Melbourne.
🐨 Planning more of Australia? 🐨
🦘See How to spend 5 days in Sydney Australia with our full itinerary!
Penguin Parade in Melbourne, Australia on Phillip Island - Evening Tour
BOOKING THE TOUR
We booked our Penguin Parade tour through Viator: Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade Evening Tour to see the fairy penguins (it was about $100 per person)! Although we booked it the night before, we should have booked further in advance!
A bus picked us up near Finders Street Station in Melbourne (just down the street from our hotel) and the drive was just about 2 hours through the countryside outback! Our driver/guide was informative and kept us entertained for the duration of the ride, I just couldn't wait to see these little penguins!
Is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Worth It?
YES!
We did a lot during our trip to Australia, but this is still one of those experiences that immediately comes to mind when I think about the trip.
There's something completely different about seeing little penguins in the wild rather than at a zoo or aquarium. You sit facing the ocean waiting for the sun to go down, and then suddenly you start hearing them.
And then they appear!
Little groups of penguins emerge from the water and start waddling across the beach toward their burrows. Before long, there are penguins everywhere.
It was adorable, fascinating and unlike anything we had experienced before.
If you're visiting Melbourne and love wildlife, I would absolutely make room in your itinerary for the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
Should You Take a Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour From Melbourne?
We did, and I would do it again — especially if you're staying in Melbourne without a rental car.
The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, outside of Melbourne. Public transportation on Phillip Island is limited, and the public bus doesn't actually take you all the way to the Penguin Parade. There also isn't a return public bus to Melbourne after the parade ends.
That makes a Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour from Melbourne one of the easiest ways to see the penguins without worrying about transportation or driving back to the city late at night.
Our tour picked us up near Flinders Street Station, just down the street from our hotel, and took care of the transportation for the entire evening.
Plus, our guide pointed out wildlife along the way, which is how we spotted our first wallaby in the wild!
A note about booking your tour
When we went, we booked our tour through Viator the night before.
I don't recommend doing that!
We got lucky, but knowing what I know now, I would book the Penguin Parade as soon as I knew which day I wanted to visit. Tickets can sell out, especially during holidays and other busy travel periods.
When you're comparing tours, pay attention to the viewing option included. Some tours include general Penguin Parade admission, while others offer the option to upgrade your ticket.
If I were choosing again, I would specifically look for a tour that includes or allows an upgrade to Penguins Plus.
Don’t forget to check out our Top 10 Things to do in Sydney, Australia
Our Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour
Tour bus for the penguin parade
One thing I loved about booking a tour was that getting to Phillip Island became part of the experience.
After leaving Melbourne, we drove through the countryside toward Phillip Island while our driver and guide shared information along the way.
I was excited for the entire drive because... PENGUINS!
Once we reached Phillip Island, we had some time to get food, walk around and explore before continuing toward the Penguin Parade.
We could see the coastline and wildlife offshore, and our guide was constantly watching for Australian wildlife along the drive.
That's when we saw our first wild wallaby!
Seeing a wallaby in the wild in Australia felt like one of those "Yep, we're definitely in Australia!" moments.
FIRST WALLABY SIGHTING IN THE WILD on Philip Island!
HAD TO TAKE A WALLABY SELFIE!
Arriving at the Penguin Parade
Funniest and cutest parking lot sign - Please check under your car
We arrived in the parking lot and saw these cute signs warning to look under your car. Apparently, some of the penguins lose their way, ending up in the parking lot, hiding under cars. When you go, be careful, and triple check under your car before you leave!
We walked into their visitors center where they had another cafeteria and a gift shop. The tour came with a coupon for a free drink so we redeemed our coupon - the cafeteria had sodas and light snacks. I ran into the gift shop and had to get a magnet for our collection on our fridge!
SEATING FOR THE PENGUIN PARADE
Finally, it was time to get our spot for the parade! There were little pathways built to lead to the bleachers and among the path were some of the burrows of the penguins as well as more wild Wallaby!
The viewing section was set up almost like a football stadium where bleachers were set up facing the ocean, with paths for the penguins to come between.
WAITING FOR THE PENGUINS TO ARRIVE FROM OUR PENGUIN PLUS VIEWING SECTION
Is Penguins Plus Worth It at Phillip Island?
For me, YES. I thought Penguins Plus was absolutely worth the upgrade.
This was something we had traveled halfway around the world to see, and I wanted the best view we could reasonably get.
The Penguins Plus viewing area put us closer to the penguins, and once they started coming in from the ocean, some waddled incredibly close to where we were watching.
We arrived early so we could get a good spot and settled in to wait.
When we visited, there was also a wildlife ranger nearby who could explain what was happening as we waited for the penguins to arrive.
If you're already spending the time and money to travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island specifically to see the penguins, Penguins Plus would be my pick.
Especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime Australia trip.
What Happens During the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
THE FIRST FEW START THE PARADE, MAKING THEIR WAY BACK HOME TO THEIR BURROW
This is where the experience became magical.
At first... nothing.
We sat overlooking the ocean waiting for the sun to go down.
Then we started hearing the penguins before we could really see them.
Little penguins spend much of their lives at sea and return to land around dusk. Before coming ashore, they gather together offshore in groups called "rafts."
Then groups start making their way out of the water.
Some penguins confidently waddled toward shore while others seemed to change their minds and head right back toward the water!
They naturally wait for the darker evening hours because it helps give them some protection from predators.
Then more appeared.
And more.
And MORE.
Before we knew it, there were hundreds of tiny penguins waddling across the beach and making their way toward their burrows.
HUNDREDS OF PENGUINS COME BACK LOOKING FOR THEIR FAMILIES
During breeding season, some adult penguins return to their burrows to feed their chicks, and you can hear the colony calling back and forth.
The SOUND was one of the things that surprised me most.
There are penguins calling everywhere!
It was impossible not to smile.
The Best Part Happens on the Walk Back
As cute as it was watching the little penguins come out of the ocean, I think one of my favorite parts was actually walking back toward the Visitor Centre afterward.
The boardwalks take you through areas around their burrows, and suddenly the penguins are right there beside you making their way home.
We could watch them waddle along below us and get such a close look at how TINY they really are.
I could have stayed there all night.
Eventually, though, we had to get back on the bus and return to Melbourne.
But first...
We checked under the bus for penguins.
Obviously.
Can You Take Pictures at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade?
This is one thing that has changed from the way I originally wrote about our experience back in 2019, and it's important.
Photography and filming are not allowed after sunset during the Penguin Parade.
So once the parade begins, put the phone and camera away and just enjoy it.
I know. I'm a blogger. I want pictures of EVERYTHING.
But this is one of those experiences where you're better off being completely present anyway.
And trust me — watching hundreds of these tiny blue penguins waddle home is something you're going to remember without a picture.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade - Penguins heading back to their burrows
What Time Does the Penguin Parade Start?
The little penguins arrive around sunset, so the exact time changes throughout the year.
You'll want to check the expected penguin arrival time for the date you're visiting rather than planning around one specific time.
For General Viewing and Penguins Plus, Phillip Island Nature Parks currently recommends arriving about one hour before the expected penguin arrival.
I would rather arrive early, explore the Visitor Centre and get settled than be rushing in while everyone else has already found their seats.
What Should You Wear to the Penguin Parade?
Bring layers!
Even if Melbourne or Phillip Island feels warm during the day, you're sitting outside near the water after sunset, and it can get chilly and windy.
Depending on the season and forecast, I would bring:
A jacket or sweatshirt
Layers
Comfortable walking shoes
Rain protection if needed
Something warm for kids if you're visiting as a family
The Penguin Parade takes place outdoors in all kinds of weather, so check the forecast before you go.
Tips for Visiting the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
After doing it ourselves, these are the things I would want to know before going:
Book ahead. We booked the night before and got lucky, but I wouldn't plan a trip that way now.
Consider Penguins Plus. We loved having the closer viewing area and I would pay for the upgrade again.
Arrive early. Give yourself time to use the bathroom, grab something to eat and find your viewing area without rushing.
Bring layers. Phillip Island can get COLD once the sun goes down.
Put your camera away after sunset. Photography and filming aren't permitted once the parade begins.
Take your time walking back. Don't race directly back to the bus or parking lot! Watching the penguins near the boardwalk on their way to their burrows was one of our favorite parts.
Watch for wildlife. Wallabies and other native wildlife live around Phillip Island, so keep your eyes open throughout the trip.
Check underneath your car before you leave. I mean... there's a sign telling you to. And how often do you get to say you checked underneath your car for a penguin?
Is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Good for Kids?
The Penguin Parade is definitely an experience families can enjoy, but there are a couple of things I would consider when planning with younger kids.
The biggest one is timing.
Because the penguins arrive around sunset, summer visits can mean a fairly late night — particularly if you're taking a tour all the way back to Melbourne afterward.
There's also some waiting involved before the penguins appear.
But once those little penguins start waddling in?
I can't imagine too many animal-loving kids NOT getting excited.
If you're traveling with younger children, I would look carefully at the length of the Melbourne day tour you choose. There are full-day tours that include several Phillip Island attractions as well as shorter afternoon/evening options focused more heavily on the Penguin Parade.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade FAQs
What are the penguins at Phillip Island called?
They're called little penguins and are the smallest species of penguin in the world. You may also hear them called fairy penguins or little blue penguins.
Does the Penguin Parade happen every night?
Yes! Little penguins return to the colony around sunset every evening of the year.
How far is the Penguin Parade from Melbourne?
Phillip Island is roughly a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, and the Penguin Parade is farther across the island once you cross the bridge. I would allow plenty of extra time, especially during busy travel periods.
Can you visit the Penguin Parade without a tour?
Absolutely, if you have a car.
If you don't have a rental car, taking a tour from Melbourne is much easier because public transportation doesn't go directly to the Penguin Parade and there isn't a public return bus to Melbourne after the parade ends.
Do you need to book the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in advance?
YES.
Tickets and popular viewing areas can sell out, so I would book as soon as you know which date you want to visit.
Is Penguins Plus worth it?
I thought so!
We chose Penguins Plus because this was a major bucket-list experience for us, and I loved getting the closer viewing experience. If your budget allows for the upgrade, I would choose it again.
Can you take photos of the Phillip Island penguins?
Photography and filming are prohibited after sunset during the Penguin Parade.
Take your photos earlier in the day and then put the phone away once the penguins start arriving.
What time should I arrive at the Penguin Parade?
Arrival time depends on sunset. For General Viewing and Penguins Plus, plan to arrive about an hour before the expected penguin arrival time unless your ticket tells you otherwise.
Is the Penguin Parade outdoors?
Yes. You'll be outside for the viewing experience, so dress for the weather and bring layers.
Would I Visit the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Again?
In a heartbeat!
We experienced so many amazing things in Australia, but watching the little penguins come home at Phillip Island remains one of my favorites.
I loved hearing them before we could see them, watching those first brave little groups waddle out of the ocean, spotting our first wild wallaby and getting an up-close view of the penguins as we walked along the boardwalk afterward.
And yes, I loved the ridiculous parking lot sign too.
If you're planning a trip to Melbourne, I would absolutely add a Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour to your itinerary.
And if you're wondering whether I'd spend the extra money for Penguins Plus again?
Definitely.
Now go see those little penguins!
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