Victoria's Penguin Parade upgrade reaches major milestone with new boardwalk underway.
More visitors will soon be able to enjoy Phillip Island’s world-famous Penguin Parade, with the construction of a new accessible boardwalk and penguin viewing stands well underway.
Thanks to a $5 million investment from the Victorian government through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, the project has already seen the installation of Surefoot footings and steel framework. To protect the sensitive natural habitat from heavy construction vehicles, components of the steel framework were carefully lifted into place by helicopter, while other parts were installed by hand.
The new Penguin Parade
- Completion date: December 2024
- Project partners: Terroir Architects, Simpson Construction, Phillip Island Nature Parks
- Funding: $5 million investment through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund
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Qualified wildlife officers are present on-site to ensure that any penguins nearby are monitored and undisturbed during construction. The careful approach prioritises the welfare of the little penguins and their environment.
Once completed, the new boardwalk will offer an improved looped walking experience, giving visitors of all abilities better access to the penguin viewing stands. The upgrades promise to enhance visitor flow, boost capacity, and provide an even closer view of the penguins as they return home to Summerland Beach each evening.
The elevated design of the boardwalk will ensure the penguins’ natural movement within their habitat remains unrestricted, continuing the protection of these iconic creatures.
The Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands Redevelopment project, led by Terroir Architects and Simpson Construction in collaboration with Phillip Island Nature Parks, is set to be completed by December 2024—just in time for the peak summer season.
Phillip Island Nature Parks CEO Catherine Basterfield expressed her appreciation for the project’s backing, saying, “Phillip Island is one of Australia’s must-see tourist destinations. We are grateful for the government’s commitment in bettering our tourism offering so the Penguin Parade can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
As Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale noted, “Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade is one of Victoria’s most loved ecotourism attractions, with more than 700,000 visitors a year.”
Find out more about the Penguin Parade here.
