14 Places To See Penguins In Australia

Australia is home to the smallest of any of the world’s penguins. This is where to find them.

Endemic penguins in Australia might all be the same species, but between our shores and New Zealand, it’s the only place in the world to spot adorable (and aptly named) little penguins. So-called for their small stature (at only 36 to 43 centimetres tall, they’re some of the smallest aquatic birds in the world), you’ll mostly find their colonies on islands just off the (mostly southern) coast. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t found their way to other states.

We’ve rounded up some of the best places to see little penguins in the Australian wild.

1. Phillip Island, Vic

It would be wrong to start this list with anything other than Phillip Island, home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world. Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and connected to mainland Victoria by a bridge, not only is it easy to get to, but the famous Penguin Parade is an adorable nightly event, tickets to which also support more research into and care for these waddly creatures. Elevated boardwalks make for perfect viewing points as a controlled number of visitors watch these feathered locals return to their burrows every night as the sun goes down.

little penguins return to their burrows during Phillip Island penguin parade — Buy a ticket to the Penguin Parade. (Image: Visit Victoria)

2. St Kilda, Vic

Then again, you don’t need to leave Melbourne at all to spot little penguins. Head to St Kilda Beach and stop by Breakwater (the rocky outcrop at the end of the pier) to spot this local colony. To protect the penguins, there are three nightly viewings of the penguins between February and April run by the local council. Tickets are free but you do need to register. Penguin Rangers patrol the area for everyone’s safety.

St Kilda Penguin hiding in breakwater rocks — Spot penguins hiding in the rocks of the breakwater. (Image: Eric Fortin)

3. Middle Island, Warrnambool, Vic

Further south, little penguins also call Middle Island home, off the coast from Warrnambool along the Great Ocean Road. Sadly, numbers were dwindling by 2006 after foxes made their way from the mainland to hunt during low tide. These days, after the installation of famously protective Maremma guard dogs on the island, the penguin population is soaring. Each summer, visitors can meet these pawed penguin pals on a ‘Meet the Maremma Tour’ and learn about the Penguin Protection Project.

maemma dogs protect little penguins on Middle Island victoria — See maemma dogs on duty at Middle Island. (Image: GOR Regional Tourism)

4. Penguin Island, WA

As the name suggests, Penguin Island is home to the largest little penguin colony in Western Australia. Visits to this pristine island are limited and only available during specific daylight hours in mid-September to early June. But it’s worth nabbing one of these tickets as the island is also home to pelicans, sea eagles and albatross. Guided wildlife walks are also available to book.

aerial shot of Penguin Island in western australia — Nab a ticket to Penguin Island. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

5. Kangaroo Island, SA

Kangaroo Island already has a reputation as something of a sanctuary for Australian Wildlife, and it’s no different for little penguins. As the last operational penguin centre in South Australia, Penneshaw Penguin Centre runs nightly tours throughout the year. Seeing as the colony can be difficult to find on your own, it’s recommended to book in. Plus you’ll likely get a bit of astronomy thrown in.

little penguin spotted during Penneshaw Penguin Centre tour on Kangaroo Island — Go on tour with Penneshaw Penguin Centre. (Image: Milton Wordley)

6. Victor Harbor, West Island, SA

Victor Harbour – some 80 kilometres south of Adelaide – hosts little penguins across many of its islands (it’s also one of the best places to go whale-watching), but the best place to spot them is Granite Island. Sitting inside the Encounter Marine Park, penguin numbers have been struggling in recent years – so be sure to keep the fox-proof gate shut when you visit. If you’re not lucky enough to see a penguin, dolphins leafy sea dragons and seals all await. To increase your wildlife spotting success, check out Big Duck Boat Tours.

little penguin in Granite Island conservation area — Head into Granite Island’s Encounter Marine Park to spot little penguins. (Image: Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism)

7. Lion Island, NSW

Off the coast of Broken Bay sits Lion Island, the ironically named home of a little penguin colony. A joint project between National Parks and Wildlife and Taronga Zoo has been going since early 1990 to support the colony, which has now grown to about 300 breeding pairs. As a highly protected sanctuary, you’ll have to try and spot these cuties from a boat at a respectful distance.

Lion Island off the coast of Broken Bay — Spot penguins from the water around Lion Island. (Image: DNSW)

8. Manly, NSW

Sydney’s second-most famous beach suburb, Manly, is also home to its only little penguin breeding colony. While these penguins are known to forage for food throughout Sydney Harbour and along the Sydney coast, every May to February they return to the nesting boxes at Shore Beach in Manly to have their babies. Not accessible by land, kayak is generally the best way to get to the beach. As it’s a smaller population, it’s not guaranteed to see them – but if you do, keep a respectful distance, never bring your dog and don’t use flash photography as it disorientates them.

manly beach aerial shot — Watch penguins return to their nesting boxes at Shore Beach. (Image: DNSW)

9. Jervis Bay, NSW

Bowen Island – at the entrance to Jervis Bay – may be small. In fact, this sandstone island is only about a kilometre long and half as wide. But it packs a little penguin punch with around 5000 breeding pairs calling it home. Every night from dawn to an hour before dusk they head out in search of food, before returning to their burrows before they lose all daylight.

aerial shot of Bowen Island — Circle the tiny Bowen Island to spot a large penguin colony. (Image: DNSW)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

10. Stanley, Tas

Stanley might be most famous for a giant rock formation known as The Nut. But its little penguins are a strong second. Head to Godfrey’s Beach for a wheelchair-friendly penguin viewing platform, or book a cabin at BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park to watch the little critters walking along Tatlow Beach.

a couple sits on picnic bench at Tatlow Beach, BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park — Book a spot at BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park to watch little penguins along Tatlow Beach. (Image: Jess Bonde)

11. Penguin, Tas

Yes, the town named Penguin in Tasmania is home to plenty of little penguins. Here, they’re so proud of their feathery locals that they’ve even erected a ‘big penguin’ statue. See real-life ones when you head toward the southern end of Penguin Beach, or pop over to the next beach, eastways.

big penguin statue in penguin township tasmania — See the big penguin, then look for little ones. (Image: Adrian Cook)

12. Bicheno, Tas

The bustling town of Bicheno on Tasmania’s east coast is worth a visit for several reasons. Top of the list is their little penguins on Redbill and Waubs beaches. Both are easy to get to by foot (the latter is even in the middle of town) so you won’t be the only person setting up a picnic blanket before dusk to watch the local penguins head home for the night. You can also join Bicheno Penguin Tours for access to a private property loved by penguins that other tourists can’t.

woman watching wild little penguin during Bicheno Penguin Tours — Join Bicheno Penguin Tours. (Image: Tourism Australia)

13. Low Head, Tas

Just a 45-minute drive from Launceston, Low Head is home to a conservation area where hundreds of local little penguins like to breed between November and February. As the area closes before dusk, you’ll need to join Low Head Penguin Tours Tasmania for access.

little penguins on low head beach in tasmania — Book a tour to see the little penguins of Low Head conservation area. (Image: Florian Rohart)

14. Devonport, Tas

Lillico Beach Conservation Area is something of a local secret for penguin spotting. From late September to early April, head to the eastern end of the beach to watch little penguins from the viewing platform. Guides will be patrolling the area and ready to answer your penguin-related questions.

a little penguin scurries across a beach in tasmania — Join locals for penguin spotting. (Image: Chi Kueng Renault Wong)

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

14 places to see penguins in Australia