What to pack for Phillip Island when it’s cold

Going to the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is a must-do if you’re visiting Melbourne and want a bucket list adventure to add to your Victoria itinerary. Watching these tiny little penguins appear from the ocean and waddle across the beach is one of the cutest displays of nature ever!

But remember…you’re in the penguins’ natural habitat! While the penguins might not need raincoats, blankets or umbrellas…you might!

Little penguins love the cold…

Phillip Island gets cold and windy in the winter. As it’s the very southern tip of Australia, just opposite the Arctic Coast, there are icy winds that travel upwards to the Bass Strait coast from the Arctic.

For the penguins, these are prime weather conditions. Little penguins of Phillip Island are subarctic creatures in their natural habitat.

These little penguins come out of the water once a day, at sunset. To them, coming out of the water isn’t cold at all! But for all the humans sitting at Summerland Beach, it might be a little chilly.

If you get yourself to Phillip Island for the penguin parade during the winter, then you might want to pack appropriately for the event – it gets incredibly cold!

Our Phillip Island tours go to the penguin parade every day, so we’re pretty used to the weather down there. That’s why we’ve put together a little packing list, so that you can be prepared for the penguin parade and watch these little creatures as comfortably as possible.

What to expect at the penguin parade

The Bass Coast faces the Arctic. Even though you’re in Australia, the cold Arctic winds blow northwards. On a cold and rainy day, the wind blows this colder air onto the beach. This is the perfect weather for the penguins. It’s quite remarkable to see how these tiny penguins can withstand fierce winds as they waddle up towards the shoreline.

What to take with you…

• Umbrella
• Poncho/raincoat
• Blankets
• Scarf, beanie, gloves
• A cushion or waterproof surface to sit on

Need to know…

So, if you’re going to the penguin parade, you can expect…

• A cold bum! That’s why it’s a good idea to bring something to sit on while you’re sitting outside for a while.
• You might wait a little while for the penguins to come out. Remember, penguins will come out on their schedule!

You can purchase rain ponchos from the Penguins Centre for around $6, or bring your own.

Because you’re waiting a little bit for the penguins, you might end up sitting on the cold concrete for a bit…This is all part of the fun when you go and see the penguin parade, because you’ll be scanning the waves and waiting for these cute little creatures to emerge. Remember, if it’s raining, you won’t be able to put your umbrellas up. It freaks out the penguins!

Layering up

The best way to stay warm is to layer up. The temperatures can get as low as 5 degrees! It might be a good idea to put a moisture-wicking material on as a base layer to really insulate your body heat.

Then, put breathable, middle layers on. If it’s windy, we recommend getting a thick coat to protect your body and act as a windbreak! Puffa jackets are always good (they’re a fashion staple in Melbourne!) or some kind of padded raincoat.

Don’t want to be outside?

If the cold is too much, you can opt for underground penguin viewing.