Phillip Island Small-Group Penguin Express

Our guide was really friendly and took care to tell us about penguins, the history of Phillip Island and various landmarks along the way. We were considering hiring a car and driving there instead, but I'm glad we chose the tour - the extra cost for the tour over hiring a car was well worth it for the extra information and stories along the way. I particularly liked the small group feel of the tour (we were a total of 8 people), that they provided blankets to keep us warm at night while viewing the penguins, and that the guide gave us a run down of when we should head outside to start viewing the penguins to have the best experience (i.e. 10 mins before they arrive, rather than sitting outside for an hour claiming a spot). Also, choose the "penguins plus" option rather than the "budget" option - you end up in a viewing area with ~100 people instead of ~1000, with several rangers there to explain what's happening and answer questions, and the penguins walk right past (~1 m away). Highly recommended as a great way to see the penguins!

I booked the penguin tour with Grayline at first, as I thought a multi-national travel brand must be very reliable. However, just got a cancel email due to "operational issue", only 1 hour before departure time which we should be picked up.Then, I checked tripadvisor and found Mac and his Little Penguin Bus here. I feel so lucky to choose Little Penguin Bus. Mac is an excellent tour guide, energetic, easygoing, and always considerate. He shared lots of information about Phillip Island, tried his best to let us have more opportunities to see wild animals, told us tons of tips about how and when to see the penguin parade, even prepared blankets to keep us warm! Mac also told us that there's a town near Melbourne called Lang Lang, just the same as name of famous pianist, when he knew we came from Shanghai, China. Haha! We simply did everything that Mac told us to do and enjoyed every minute of the half-day tour. Actually, that day to Phillip island was the last day of our holiday in Australia, and the tour with Little Penguin Bus did draw a perfect full stop to the whole travel. Thanks, Mac. Well done!

Mac and his Little Penguin Bus gave us an awesome tour to Phillip Island from Melbourne. Much more personalized than a big bus tour, really delightful (just enough and never too much) information from Mac the guide and driver, and close up viewing of wildlife like wallabies and rare geese all made this tour great even before we got to the Penguin Parade to see the Little Penguins. Friends with all the rangers and staff at the park, Mac took care of everything, including getting our exclusive ranger-guided tour tickets. All we had to do was enjoy the experience. This was more like taking a day trip with an old friend to a special place he knows everything about than a typical tour. Absolutely, this has to be the best tour in the Melbourne region. And it was one of the best day tours weve had anywhere in the world. Thanks, Mac (and Cheese the Penguin).

My family and I enjoyed every minute of this tour! Mac's inside knowledge was very helpful and we definitely got the most out of the experience. He was very friendly and showed great passion for his work. We saw many animals not just little penguins, including wallabies, geese, rabbits and a rare sighting of a bandicoot. We recommend paying extra for seeing the cute penguins in the bunker.

I'm not sure why you would book anywhere else. Even though I'm sure he does this every day, Mac makes this experience really unforgettable. Beyond just the penguins, he gives you a bit of a tour on the drive up and of the island. We saw goslings, wallabees, and tons of other wildlife. His tips for viewing also make the experience great, and he suggests you stay under they kick you out so you get maximum value. 6 out of 5 would book again.